Compendium of Materia Medica

Compendium of Materia Medica

The Compendium of Materia Medica, also known as Bencao Gangmu, is a monumental pharmacopeia written by the renowned Ming Dynasty medical expert Li Shizhen. Completed in 1578, this work is widely regarded as the most comprehensive and detailed medical book in the history of traditional Chinese medicine.

Where to buy

Key Features

• Comprehensive Coverage: The Compendium lists, analyzes, and describes a vast array of plants, animals, minerals, and other substances believed to possess medicinal properties.
• Scientific Classification: Li Shizhen improved the classification system of traditional Chinese medicine, adhering to a uniform format and employing scientifically precise language.
• Illustrations and Descriptions: The book begins with a table of contents and features over 1,100 hand-drawn illustrations. Each medicine is accompanied by detailed descriptions of its name, odor, medical function, effects, and associated recipes.
• Multidisciplinary Content: Beyond pharmacology, the Compendium also discusses topics in biology, chemistry, geography, mineralogy, geology, history, and astronomy.
• Historical Significance: It corrected many misunderstandings about the nature of medicines and illnesses and included many new herbs and Li's own discoveries.

Volumes and Structure

• The Compendium consists of 52 volumes.
• Volumes 1 to 4 provide an index and a comprehensive list of herbs used to treat common illnesses.
• Volumes 5 to 52 form the main content, recording 1,892 distinct medicines, of which 374 were added by Li himself.
• It contains over 11,096 prescriptions for treating common illnesses, with 8,160 compiled or collected by Li.

Influence and Translation

• The Compendium has been translated into more than 20 languages and is still in print and used as a significant medical work worldwide.
• It played a crucial role in promoting the credibility and scientific values of biological classification, both for plants and animals.

Chinese-English Glossary