Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies

by Dan Bensky, Dan Bensky, Andrew Ellis

The new 2nd edition of Chinese Herbal Formulas & Strategies, the companion volume to Chinese Herbal Materia Medica, is designed to serve as both a textbook for students and an authoritative reference for practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine. Included in the new edition are over 800 medicinal formulas drawn from both classical and modern sources, which provide more than twice the information in the earlier edition. For each of the 340-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. Over 460 variations and associated formulas offer additional options for the practitioner. The commentary to each formula has been considerably expanded. This section deepens the readers understanding of a formulas genealogy, presents an overview of controversies regarding composition, usage, and other issues, describes the extension of a formulas application to a wider range of disorders, and provides key clinical pointers to facilitate use of the formula in the modern clinic. A new section on comparisons has been added to this edition. This is intended to help students and practitioners focus on the distinguishing characteristics of each formula by contrasting it with other formulas that are similar in terms of composition or indication. Tables at the end of each chapter reinforce these distinctions by comparing and contrasting formulas across a wider range. The introduction to the book traces the historical evolution of the formulas, and provides practical pointers for their preparation and use. Detailed timelines depict the key events, authors, and texts in the 2,000-year history of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, placing the contents of this book in historical context. Among the appendices are a pinyin-to-English cross reference to the formulas, a basic summary formulary correlated to symptoms and disorders, a full listing of all books cited in the text, and a bibliography of all modern sources used in the preparation of the book. A comprehensive index to the formulas, and a general index, round out the contents.

Genres: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medicine, Medical, Reference

1019 pages, Hardcover

First published March 2, 2009

Reviews

[Cintain 昆遊龍 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The companion to the herbs book, the second edition of the formulas reference by Bensky & Co. is awesome. I especially like the commentaries and descriptions of associated formulas, which enable one to think critically about the kinds of applications the formulas may have beyond the classical presentations. Since I am apprenticed to a clinician in my hometown, I get to see this a lot, and the book never disappoints in terms of insightful pointers as to the nature of the herbs in the formula, how they interact, and why they could respond to one of another pattern presentation.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The commentaries are full of delightful tidbits. Reading the commentaries were also very helpful for the board exam!