Customer Reviews

Notes From South Mountain : A Guide to Concentrated Herb Granules

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I use this book every day in the clinic. In spite of the encyclopedical formula texts available, this book is often the first text I read when I want to understand an herbal formula I am considering or researching. There are several reasons for this. One reason is the ease of use. This book is organized alphabetically by Pin Yin. When I already know the name of the formula I want to look up, this fact save me a step the other texts require. During a busy clinic day this can make a difference. Of course, this would not be enough if the information I found in the text was not useful. So, the main reason I use this book is because the information Mr. Ellis has written in this text, most often represents the real essence of a formula's action. He writes in a very accessible language. Many times, when I have been doing research on a particular formula, I find that my understanding really clicks into place when I read the commentary here. It is very clear and concise with a good balance between classical and modern Chinese medical usages as well as modern medical considerations. In addition, for each formula, there are suggested modifications which are all very useful.

There are also formulas and information about formulas in this book that are not included in the most popular formula text, Formulas and Strategies (another must have for the clinic). Some of these formulas are important formulas for my own practice. An example of a formula I use frequently that is not in Formulas and Strategies is Dao Shui Fu Ling Tang. This formula is so useful for water swelling with Qi stagnation for which I know no other formula. The other day I was doing research on Gui Zhi Ma Huang Ge Ban Tang. The information in Formulas and Strategies was very minimal, including just what the clause in the Shang Han Lun said. In Notes From South Mountain, there was a much deeper description of the actual clinical use of this formula. The modifications listed were the same modifications the doctor whose work I was translating used.

One of the most useful parts of Notes From South Mountain is the introduction. Mr. Ellis has written a very concise manual here for, not only the use of granules but the use of formulas. He emphasizes the treatment of the root of a disharmony and teaches us how to adjust a root formula to treat the branch. This is a treatise I have my students read as a basic guide to the use of formulas. In addition, for those who are using concentrated granules, this guide answers so many questions as to dosages and proportions of herbs.

If you are a Sino-medical-phile as I am, you will enjoy reading this book cover to cover. It will become one of those well thumbed books on your herbal pharmacies counter.

Sharon Weizenbaum

This is a book that you dont have time to read when you are an acupuncture student!!... but one that you come back to time and time again for the deep levels, functions, and uses of herbs and formulas.

The modifications are clinically very helpful!! The discussions of the fomulas give you ideas and uses on many more levels than what other books may reveal.