Chinese Herbal Medicines: Comparisons and Characteristics

Students and practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine must learn hundreds of commonly used herbs as the first step in studying Chinese herbal medicine. Additionally, junior practitioners lack the clinical experience required to ensure that they can skilfully select the appropriate herbs to use in the formulas. This presents them with a major challenge. Chinese Herbal Medicines: Comparisons and Characteristics presents a method of learning individual herbs through vivid and clear discussion of their characteristics and through a comparison with other herbs of their characteristics and strengths. This clear and logical approach makes it easy for the user to understand and memorize the functions of specific herbs. It also enables experienced practitioners to improve their therapeutic results through the use of better formulas.

Preface. Part 1: The theory and concepts of Chinese herbal medicine Part 2: Comparisons of the characteristics of commonly used Chinese herbal medicine Herbs that release the exterior. Herbs that clear heat. Herbs that drain downwards. Herbs that expel Wind-Dampness. Herbs that transform dampness. Aromatic substances that transform dampness; aromatic substances for external application; aromatic herbs that open the orifices. Herbs that transform phlegm. Herbs that relieve food stagnation; herbs that expel parasites; herbs that induce vomiting. Herbs that regulate the Qi. Herbs that regulate the blood. Herbs that stop bleeding. Herbs that warm the interior. Herbs that tonify. Astringent herbs. Substances that sedate the spirit and calm the mind. Herbs that sedate the Liver-yang and extinguish the Liver-wind. Appendix. Pinyin-English cross reference of herb names. Bibliography.