The Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine [Paperback]

Shen Ziyin (Author), Chen Zelin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 24, 1996

The two-thousand-year-old discipline of traditional Chinese medicine has much to offer Western readers who have an interest in the healing arts. The authors, both professors at Shanghai Medical University, explain the fundamental concepts of Chinese medicine, how and why it works, and its various therapeutic methods. This comprehensive survey includes all the essentials: a brief history, the concepts of yin and yang and the five elements, the internal organs, the relationship between human beings and nature, the causes of disease, common diagnostic methods, and the principles of the treatment, including traditional herbs, acupuncture and moxibustion, tui-na massage therapy, and qigong breath therapy.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A direct, streamlined introduction to 'TCM.' Organized in an incredibly digestible way, The Basics is excellently edited, with succinct discussions."— Spirit of Change Magazine --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Shen Ziyin is head of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Shanghai Medical University, and director of the Institute of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine at Hua Shan Hospital. Professor Shen has won nine awards for his scientific achievements in kidney research. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1 edition (September 24, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570621926
• ISBN-13: 978-1570621925
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,396,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent reference book, May 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Paperback)

"The Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine" is a medicinal cookbook filled with time proven herbal remedies for numerous problems. Reknown Chinese herbalists Shen Ziyin and Chen Zelin have beutifully outlined the processing and applications of many Chinese medicinal herbs. Also includes a lot of information on applying accupuncture (worth the price of the book by itself). Contains many of the health promoting Qui Gong relaxation methods and exercises. Both authors have won many awards for scientific achievement in human organ research.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A non-taoist, western approach to TCM, April 27, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Stroud, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Paperback)

It is unfortunate to describe the wu hsing as the five elements. Elements are fixed, particularly in a Western mind. A literal translation would be the five moving forces. A taoist would know that these moving forces are an idea, a way of coming to grips with a very complex subject. The most glaring error is to say Ch'i Kung is contra-indicated for psychiatric diseases. Having treated several thousand patients I can safely say that not only is this nonsense, but it is often the best possible treatment for psych. diseases.