Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine

秦伯未People's Medical Publishing House · ChinaSep 2026

4.6

Word count: 74K words
Chapters: 57

Summary

This book is divided into four parts: theory, method, formulas, and materia medica. The theory part discusses the holistic concept and treatment based on syndrome differentiation, then covers yin-yang, the five elements, meridians, and prevention, and describes the physiology of the five zang and six fu organs, qi and blood, and body fluids, as well as external and internal causes of disease. The method part distinguishes exterior and interior, cold and heat, deficiency and excess, the six meridians, the triple burner, and the four levels (wei, qi, ying, xue); it lists the four diagnostic methods of observation, listening, inquiry, and pulse-taking, then discusses routine and paradoxical treatment, treating the root versus the branch, the eight therapeutic methods, and commonly used treatments such as diaphoresis with pungent-warm herbs, clearing and resolving damp-heat, calming the liver and regulating qi, and invigorating blood and relieving pain. The formulas part explains the roles of sovereign, minister, assistant, and courier herbs, the seven formula types, and dosage forms, giving basic formulas such as Four Gentlemen Decoction, Four Substances Decoction, Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill, Ephedra Decoction, and Two-Cured Decoction with their modifications, plus medical cases using decoctions, pills, and ointments. The materia medica part covers collection and processing, the four natures and five flavors, and ascending, descending, floating, and sinking, listing herbs by categories such as exterior-releasing, heat-clearing, damp-resolving, qi-regulating, blood-regulating, and tonic.

Editor's review

As a classic work by Mr. Qin Bowei, Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine has served as a primer for countless enthusiasts since its publication. Published by the People's Medical Publishing House, the book is known for its systematic and accessible approach, holding a steady Douban rating of around 8.5, which attests to its enduring reading value.

Mr. Qin Bowei was a renowned modern Chinese physician and educator. A student of the famous doctor Ding Ganren, he not only had rich clinical experience but also devoted himself to Chinese medicine education and popularization. Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine is a concentrated expression of this philosophy. Starting from the basic theories of Chinese medicine, the book progressively introduces core content such as yin-yang and the five elements, the zang-fu organs and meridians, causes and mechanisms of disease, and diagnostic and therapeutic principles. The language is concise and the logic clear, avoiding piles of abstruse terminology; instead, through vivid metaphors and clinical examples, it makes abstract Chinese medicine concepts concrete.

As an editor, I believe the book's greatest value lies in the solid yet open knowledge framework it builds. It does not aim for exhaustive coverage but firmly grasps the framework of Chinese medicine thinking, laying a solid foundation for readers' further study. Its modern interpretation of classical theories particularly reflects Mr. Qin's scholarly principle of "inheriting without being bound by antiquity, developing without departing from the tradition." For modern readers, this narrative approach—respectful of tradition yet close to contemporary understanding—greatly lowers the threshold of comprehension.

It should be noted, however, that the book was written early, and some content (such as specific applications of formulas and herbs) needs to be viewed dialectically in light of later developments. But this does not detract from its core value as an "introduction"—namely, imparting a way of thinking rather than providing a formula manual that cures all ills. Reading this book is like being guided by a wise elder to first knock on the door of this ancient discipline, experiencing the unique appeal of its holistic view and treatment based on syndrome differentiation.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Non-medical readers interested in Chinese medicine culture who wish to systematically understand its theoretical foundations
Lower-year students at Chinese medicine colleges, for building a clear knowledge framework and mode of thinking
General readers seeking health-preservation knowledge who wish to understand basic Chinese medicine concepts
Practitioners in health-related industries who need to supplement basic Chinese medicine knowledge

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting quick treatment plans for specific diseases or large numbers of clinical proven formulas
Professional researchers with deep Chinese medicine expertise seeking cutting-edge theoretical breakthroughs

Reading tips

Read chapters in order, focusing on core concepts such as yin-yang and the five elements and the zang-fu theory, which are the foundation of the whole book
While reading, reflect in connection with everyday phenomena and try to analyze simple health issues with Chinese medicine thinking to deepen understanding
For quotations from ancient texts or classical theories, do not insist on full understanding at first; grasp the general meaning and revisit them in later study

About the publisher

People's Medical Publishing House China · Founded in 1953

Founded in 1953, the People's Medical Publishing House is an important institution in China's medical publishing field, with publishing directions covering medical textbooks, academic monographs, medical journals, and popular science books. Its collection contains 2,503 titles, mainly classified under medicine. Representative works include the Complete Book of Chinese Nutrition Science (2nd Edition, 2 volumes), Guide to Clinical Practice with Medical Records, the Golden Mirror of Medicine (Volume 1), Chinese Medical Imaging: Head and Neck Volume (3rd Edition), and the Essentials of the Golden Cabinet from the Collected Clinical Chinese Medicine Must-Read Series (Collector's Edition), spanning both modern medicine and classical Chinese medical texts. Representative authors include Yang Yuexin, Ge Keyou, Ye Tianshi, Su Li, Wu Qian, Zheng Jinsheng, Wang Zhenchang, and Xian Junfang, covering fields such as nutrition, Chinese medicine, and medical imaging. With a publishing approach that balances textbooks and academic monographs, the press has established the "Renwei" brand.

版权信息
前言
第一章理论之部
第一节中医的特点
一、整体观念
二、辨症论治
第二节基本学说
一、阴阳
二、五行
三、经络
四、预防
第三节生理
一、五脏六腑（包括奇恒之府）
二、十二经脉（包括奇经八脉）
三、气血
四、精气神
五、津液
第四节病因
一、外因
二、内因
三、不内外因
四、三因括约
第二章法则之部
第一节辨症
一、表里寒热虚实
二、六经
三、三焦（包括卫气营血）
四、病机
第二节诊法
一、望诊
二、闻诊
三、问诊
四、切诊
第三节治法
一、正治和反治
二、治本和治标
三、八法
四、常用治法
第三章方剂之部
第一节方制
一、君臣佐使
二、七方
三、剂型
第二节基本方剂和处方
一、基本方剂
二、处方举例
第四章药物之部
第一节采集和炮制
一、采集
二、炮制
第二节药性
一、气味
二、效能
三、归经
第三节使用
一、配合（包括禁忌）
二、用量

FAQ

Is this book difficult for someone with no medical background?

The book was written by Mr. Qin Bowei specifically for beginners, with accessible language and clear explanations. Anyone with basic reading and comprehension ability and patience can understand and grasp its core ideas. It is precisely a bridge book designed for readers starting from zero.

Can reading this book teach me to diagnose and prescribe for myself?

No. The book is positioned as an "introduction," and its core goal is to impart basic Chinese medicine theory and ways of thinking, not clinical skills training. Self-diagnosis and prescription involve complex syndrome differentiation and risk assessment and must be done under the guidance of a professional physician. The book is an intellectual primer, not a medical practice guide.

Is the content of this book outdated?

The basic theories of Chinese medicine expounded in the book (such as yin-yang, the zang-fu organs, and meridians) are quite stable and form the foundation of the discipline; they are not outdated. Of course, with the passage of time, specific clinical applications and research have continued to deepen. The book's value lies in laying a solid foundation in classical theory, which is precisely the starting point for further study and development.

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About the author

秦伯未 Author

Qin Bowei is an author active in the field of traditional Chinese medicine, though details of his life—such as his native place, dates of birth and death, and medical training—are not clearly recorded in publicly available sources, and public information is limited. Judging from the 58 works collected here, his writing centers on the fundamentals of traditional Chinese medicine and the organization and annotation of clinical medical texts, covering introductory guides, annotations of classics, and compilations of medical talks. Representative works include Zhongyi Rumen (Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine), which concisely outlines basic concepts and diagnostic approaches for beginners; Neijing Leizheng and Jinkui Yaolue Jianshi, which reflect his careful organization of classical texts by syndrome and item-by-item explanation; and the collected medical talks of Xu Lingtai, Yu Jiayan, and Zhang Shiwan, which show his attention to and desire to transmit the clinical insights of physicians across dynasties. Overall, Qin Bowei's writings are practical and accessible, emphasizing readability and usefulness, and have had a lasting influence on the popularization of traditional Chinese medicine and the organization of classical literature.