The Pen-Ts’ao Pei-Yao: A Modern Interpretation of its Terminology and Contents

Abstract

One of the most important steps toward learning Chinese medicine is understanding drug usage. The effects and indications of the multitudinous animal, mineral, and vegetable substances that make up the Chinese pharmacopeia, guided by Chinese medical theory, must be thoroughly understood if one wishes to liberally command and perfectly master their use. Essential to this study are the pen ts’ ao 本草, the traditional Chinese pharmacopeial classics, which have been handed down through the generations and which must still be studied by students today.