Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies [Hardcover]

Dan Bensky (Author), Randall Barolet (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1990 | ISBN-10: 0939616106 | ISBN-13: 978-0939616107 | Edition: 1

The companion volume to Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, this book of Chinese medicinal formulas in English serves as both a textbook for students and a major reference source for practitioners. Included are nearly 600 Chinese medicinal formulas arranged in 18 functional categories.

For each of the 250-plus principal formulas there is a discussion of its therapeutic actions and indications, analysis of the functions and interactions of the ingredients, method of preparation, and a list of modifications to customize the formula in the clinic. Commentary explains different interpretations of the formulas, compares them with related formulas, and discusses their application in treating biomedically-defined disorders. Almost 350 variations and associated formulas offer additional options for the practitioner in the clinic. An informative introduction traces the historical evolution of the formulas, and provides practical pointers for their preparation and use.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Exquisitely executed and researched . . . Superb compilation . . . Highly recommended." -- American Journal of Acupuncture

"Far and away the most comprehensive English language treatment on TCM formulas. An important, essential work." -- Foster's Botanical & Herb Reviews

"There is nothing to compare with it . . . Buy it." -- The Pacific Journal of Oriental Medicine

Language Notes

Text: English, Chinese

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 562 pages
• Publisher: Eastland Pr; 1 edition (May 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0939616106
• ISBN-13: 978-0939616107
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #669,837 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still the Standard, April 3, 2002

By 

Brian B. Carter (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (Hardcover)

Regardless of its very few flaws, this is still the standard reference for basic chinese herbal formulas. Many books have formulas with herbs and dosages, but none speak so extensively of how each herb within the formula works. This is an indispensable tome for the OM student. As for whether the general public will appreciate it, I doubt it. This is the kind of book needed by those who aspire to writing personalized modifications of classical formulas... but no one else except the extremely curious patient will find it worth the price.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies, November 7, 2005

By 

Danny Siegenthaler "Dr Dan" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (Hardcover)

As a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine I can attest to the value of this book's information. It is a fantastic reference book and provides practitioners with detailed formulae descriptions, analysis of formulae and is invaluable to any Chinese medicine practitioner.

I would not recommend this book to non-practitioners as it is very in-depth and does assume an detailed understanding of traditional Chinese medicine.

I have used this book extensively in my own practice for many years and still use it on a very regular basis.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bensky's Formuales & Strategies, September 25, 2004

By 

S. Shueh "Book Warm" (LAX, Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (Hardcover)

This is a classical book about Herbal Formulaes. I have read it several times and consult it often. I believe Strategy refers to how an herbologist will be able to use the book to add or modify ingredient and dosage. Unlike the review I wrote for "Material Medica", I find this is a useful book with much needed information to come up with a prescription. Needless to say the translation of this book is choppy in many places. The authors can keep the terms more to the point. These flowery terms used is a minus.

The original source of these prescriptions are of interest to the medical historians only as modern pharmacologist are more concerned with the chemical interactions and its function. The lack of modern Chinese and western sources also shows this is just a compilation of old sources. In that respect there are many formula prescription books out in Chinese which can be translated nicely into English. The book does have IDs showing important formulas required for certain state or national examinations. However, these required formulas are not always detailed enough or exist to explain in details what they really are. Similar to Material Medica it also has PinYin flaws in many places showing its obvious lack of proof reading capability using modern Chinese word processors. All in all, this is still an authoritative English language source on the subject of Formulaes.