Chinese Materia Medica (Undergraduate) cover

Chinese Materia Medica (Undergraduate)

Rating 3.7
Word count
459K words
Chapters
176
ISBN
9787513233712

Tags

Summary

Chinese Materia Medica is a discipline that studies the basic theories of Chinese herbal medicine and the properties, actions, and clinical application patterns of commonly used herbs. The course is a required subject for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture and tuina, integrated Chinese-Western clinical medicine, and Chinese materia medica majors at TCM universities, and provides the professional foundation that anyone working in TCM must master.

Editor's review

Edited by Zhong Gansheng, Chinese Materia Medica (Undergraduate) is a planned textbook for TCM universities published by China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine; the 2018 edition continues the series' rigorous system and standardized content. The book covers the basic theories of Chinese materia medica and the properties, actions, and clinical application patterns of commonly used herbs. It explains the general framework—four natures and five flavors, channel tropism, and incompatibility taboos—and then organizes specific herbs by category, setting out their functions and indications with a clear, well-layered structure. As an undergraduate teaching text, its value lies in a complete knowledge system and precise conceptual wording, making it suitable for synchronized classroom study and systematic after-class review, and also as a core resource for repeated consultation when preparing for TCM-related examinations. Readers should not simply memorize action lists; they should understand each herb's place within the general theory and connect the material with formulary study to build herb–formula–pattern links, so that textbook knowledge becomes a foundation for clinical thinking.

Who it's for

A good fit for

  • Undergraduate students majoring in TCM, acupuncture and tuina, and related fields at TCM universities
  • Candidates preparing for TCM licensing examinations who need a systematic review of Chinese materia medica
  • Practitioners already working in TCM who want to strengthen their basic theory
  • Self-learners interested in herb properties and actions who are willing to follow a textbook-based introduction

Not a good fit for

  • General readers seeking popular science writing who lack patience for textbook formats
  • Pragmatists who only want single-herb folk remedies and are unwilling to study theory systematically
  • Beginners without basic TCM theory who find concepts such as four natures and five flavors hard to grasp

Reading tips

  1. Read the general introduction first to grasp the framework—four natures and five flavors, channel tropism, incompatibility taboos—then move on to the categorized chapters.
  2. For each herb category, learn the shared properties and classification logic first, then the individual differences among representative herbs; avoid isolated memorization.
  3. Read alongside a formulary textbook and link herb actions to specific formulas and patterns to deepen understanding.
  4. During review, use tables to summarize similarities and differences in actions within each category, and return periodically to the general introduction to prevent fragmented knowledge.

About the publisher

China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine focuses on publishing books in traditional Chinese medicine, covering Chinese medical classics, clinical medicine, acupuncture and tuina, materia medica and formulae, and medical history and literature; its catalogue includes 3,277 titles. Representative books include Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue, Shang Han Lun, Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu, Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, Yi Zong Jin Jian, and Guo Aichun's Annotated Huangdi Neijing Suwen (Second Edition). These works involve writings by historical physicians such as Qian Yi, Zhang Zhongjing, Wang Shuhe, and Zhang Xichun, as well as documentary studies compiled by contemporary authors including Zhao Xin, Zhen Xueyan, Zhang Yongtai, and Wang Xiangang. In terms of publishing characteristics, the press emphasizes collation and annotation of original Chinese medical classics and the systematic presentation of famous physicians' works, balancing the transmission of ancient editions with reference for clinical application. Public information is limited, and no other publishing fields are covered here.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 专家指导委员会
  3. 编审专家组
  4. 前 言
  5. 编写说明
  6. 总 论
  7. 第一章 中药的起源和中药学的发展
  8. 一、原始社会(远古—前21世纪)
  9. 二、夏商周时代(前21世纪—前221年)
  10. 三、秦汉时期(前221年—220年)
  11. 四、三国、两晋、南北朝时期(220—581年)
  12. 五、隋唐、五代十国时期(581—960年)
  13. 六、宋、金元时期(960—1368年)
  14. 七、明代(1368—1644年)
  15. 八、清代(1616—1911年)
  16. 九、民国时期(1912—1949年)
  17. 十、中华人民共和国成立后(1949年10月1日—至今)
  18. 第二章 中药的产地、采集与贮藏
  19. 第一节 中药的产地
  20. 第二节 中药的采集
  21. 第三节 中药的贮藏
  22. 第三章 中药的炮制
  23. 第一节 中药炮制的目的
  24. 第二节 中药炮制的方法
  25. 第四章 中药的性能
  26. 第一节 四 气
  27. 第二节 五 味
  28. 第三节 升降浮沉
  29. 第四节 归 经
  30. 第五节 中药的毒性
  31. 第五章 中药的配伍
  32. 第六章 中药的用药禁忌
  33. 第一节 配伍禁忌
  34. 第二节 证候用药禁忌
  35. 第三节 妊娠用药禁忌
  36. 第四节 服药饮食禁忌
  37. 第七章 中药的剂量与用法
  38. 第一节 中药的剂量
  39. 第二节 中药的用法
  40. 附一 中药的命名与分类
  41. 一、中药的命名
  42. 二、中药的分类
  43. 附二 中药的功效
  44. 第八章 解表药
  45. 第一节 发散风寒药
  46. 第二节 发散风热药
  47. 第九章 清热药
  48. 第一节 清热泻火药
  49. 第二节 清热燥湿药
  50. 第三节 清热解毒药
  51. 第四节 清热凉血药
  52. 第五节 清虚热药
  53. 第十章 泻下药
  54. 第一节 攻下药
  55. 第二节 润下药
  56. 第三节 峻下逐水药
  57. 第十一章 祛风湿药
  58. 第一节 祛风寒湿药
  59. 第二节 祛风湿热药
  60. 第三节 祛风湿强筋骨药
  61. 第十二章 化湿药
  62. 广藿香 Guǎnghuòxiāng(《名医别录》)
  63. 佩 兰 Pèilán(《神农本草经》)
  64. 苍 术 Cāngzhú(《神农本草经》)
  65. 厚 朴 Hòupò(《神农本草经》)
  66. 砂 仁 Shārén(《药性论》)
  67. 豆 蔻 Dòukòu(《名医别录》)
  68. 草豆蔻 Cǎodòukòu(《雷公炮炙论》)
  69. 草 果 Cǎoguǒ(《饮膳正要》)
  70. 第十三章 利水渗湿药
  71. 第一节 利水消肿药
  72. 第二节 利尿通淋药
  73. 第三节 利湿退黄药
  74. 第十四章 温里药
  75. 附 子 Fùzǐ(《神农本草经》)
  76. 干 姜 Gānjiāng(《神农本草经》)
  77. 肉 桂 Ròuguì(《神农本草经》)
  78. 吴茱萸 Wúzhūyú(《神农本草经》)
  79. 小茴香 Xiǎohuíxiāng(《新修本草》)
  80. 丁 香 Dīngxiāng(《雷公炮炙论》)
  81. 高良姜 Gāoliángjiāng(《名医别录》)
  82. 花 椒 Huājiāo(《神农本草经》)
  83. 胡 椒 Hújiāo(《新修本草》)
  84. 荜 茇 Bìbó(《新修本草》)
  85. 荜澄茄 Bìchéngqié(《雷公炮炙论》)
  86. 第十五章 理气药
  87. 陈 皮 Chénpí(《神农本草经》)
  88. 青 皮 Qīngpí(《本草图经》)
  89. 枳 实 Zhǐshí(《神农本草经》)
  90. 木 香 Mùxiāng(《神农本草经》)
  91. 沉 香 Chénxiāng(《名医别录》)
  92. 檀 香 Tánxiāng(《名医别录》)
  93. 川楝子 Chuānliànzǐ(《神农本草经》)
  94. 乌 药 Wūyào(《本草拾遗》)
  95. 荔枝核 Lìzhīhé(《本草衍义》)
  96. 香 附 Xiāngfù(《名医别录》)
  97. 佛 手 Fóshǒu(《滇南本草》)
  98. 香 橼 Xiāngyuán(《本草拾遗》)
  99. 玫瑰花 Méiguīhuā(《食物本草》)
  100. 梅 花 Méihuā(《本草纲目》)
  101. 娑罗子 Suōluózǐ(《本草纲目》)
  102. 薤 白 Xièbái(《神农本草经》)
  103. 大腹皮 Dàfùpí(《开宝本草》)
  104. 甘 松 Gānsōng(《本草拾遗》)
  105. 九香虫 Jiǔxiāngchóng( 《本草纲目》)
  106. 刀 豆 Dāodòu(《救荒本草》)
  107. 柿 蒂 Shìdì(《本草拾遗》)
  108. 第十六章 消食药
  109. 山 楂 Shānzhā(《本草经集注》)
  110. 六神曲 Liùshénqū(《药性论》)
  111. 麦 芽 Màiyá(《药性论》)
  112. 稻 芽 Dàoyá(《名医别录》)
  113. 莱菔子 Láifúzǐ(《日华子本草》)
  114. 鸡内金 Jīnèijīn(《神农本草经》)
  115. 第十七章 驱虫药
  116. 使君子 Shǐjūnzǐ(《开宝本草》)
  117. 苦楝皮 Kǔliànpí(《名医别录》)
  118. 槟 榔 Bīngláng(《名医别录》)
  119. 南瓜子 Nánguāzǐ(《现代实用中药学》)
  120. 鹤草芽 Hècǎoyá(《中华医学杂志》)
  121. 雷 丸 Léiwán(《神农本草经》)
  122. 鹤 虱 Hèshī(《新修本草》)
  123. 榧 子 Fěizi(《名医别录》)
  124. 芜 荑 Wúyí(《神农本草经》)
  125. 第十八章 止血药
  126. 第一节 凉血止血药
  127. 第二节 化瘀止血药
  128. 第三节 收敛止血药
  129. 第四节 温经止血药
  130. 第十九章 活血化瘀药
  131. 第一节 活血止痛药
  132. 第二节 活血调经药
  133. 第三节 活血疗伤药
  134. 第四节 破血消癥药
  135. 第二十章 化痰止咳平喘药
  136. 第一节 温化寒痰药
  137. 第二节 清化热痰药
  138. 第三节 止咳平喘药
  139. 第二十一章 安神药
  140. 第一节 重镇安神药
  141. 第二节 养心安神药
  142. 第二十二章 平肝息风药
  143. 第一节 平抑肝阳药
  144. 第二节 息风止痉药
  145. 第二十三章 开窍药
  146. 麝 香 Shèxiāng(《神农本草经》)
  147. 冰 片 Bīngpiàn(《新修本草》)
  148. 苏合香 Sūhéxiāng(《名医别录》)
  149. 石菖蒲 Shíchāngpú(《神农本草经》)
  150. 第二十四章 补虚药
  151. 第一节 补气药
  152. 第二节 补阳药
  153. 第三节 补血药
  154. 第四节 补阴药
  155. 第二十五章 收涩药
  156. 第一节 固表止汗药
  157. 第二节 敛肺涩肠药
  158. 第三节 固精缩尿止带药
  159. 第二十六章 涌吐药
  160. 常 山 Chángshān(《神农本草经》)
  161. 甜瓜蒂 Tiánguādì(《神农本草经》)
  162. 胆 矾 Dǎnfán(《神农本草经》)
  163. 藜 芦 Lílú(《神农本草经》)
  164. 第二十七章 攻毒杀虫止痒药
  165. 雄 黄 Xiónghuáng(《神农本草经》)
  166. 第二十八章 拔毒化腐生肌药
  167. 红 粉 Hóngfěn(《外科大成》)
  168. 轻 粉 Qīngfěn(《本草拾遗》)
  169. 砒 石 Pīshí(《日华子本草》)
  170. 铅 丹 Qiāndān(《神农本草经》)
  171. 炉甘石 Lúgānshí(《本草品汇精要》)
  172. 硼 砂 Péngshā(《日华子本草》)
  173. 附 录
  174. 临床常见百种病证用药简介
  175. 药名笔画索引
  176. 药名拼音索引

FAQ

Can I read this textbook without a TCM background?
Yes, but it will be somewhat difficult. This is an undergraduate textbook that assumes readers already have basic TCM theory; understanding the four natures and five flavors, channel tropism, and incompatibility in the general introduction requires some background. It is better to study a little basic TCM theory first, or to follow along with lecture notes, and to clarify concepts before reading on.
Is this book suitable for preparing for the licensing examination?
It can serve as a core resource. The textbook has a complete knowledge system and standardized concepts, covers the core content of Chinese materia medica, and is suitable for systematic review. However, the examination also has a syllabus scope and question formats; use the textbook to build foundations, then use the syllabus and practice questions to fill gaps. Do not rely on the textbook alone.
There are so many herbs in the textbook—how can I memorize them without forgetting?
Learn shared properties by category and individual differences by comparison. First master each category's common actions and indications, then compare herbs within the category and make table-based notes. At the same time, understand herbs through their actual combinations in formulas; this is easier to retain long-term than isolated memorization of action lists.

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

钟赣生 Author

Zhong Gansheng is an author in the field of Chinese medical books associated with traditional Chinese pharmacology. Public information about him is limited, and details such as his biography, nationality, and education are not clearly recorded. The library currently holds three of his works: Chinese Pharmacology, Chinese Pharmacology (Undergraduate Edition), and Basic Skills Training in Identification and Differentiation of Chinese Herbal Decoction Pieces (2nd Edition), all classified under medicine. These works focus on the basic theories of Chinese pharmacology, undergraduate teaching, and practical training in identifying herbal decoction pieces, combining systematic textbook content with hands-on skill development. The two pharmacology titles are aimed at teaching in traditional Chinese medicine institutions, while the training guide has been revised and reissued in a second edition, suggesting continued use and adjustment in teaching. Overall, his works lean toward teaching and practical guidance, suitable for students and beginners in traditional Chinese medicine.

More by the same author

Top rated in the same category