Ben Cao Gang Mu, Volume 1 Part A: The Roots of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Compiled by Li Shizhen during the Ming Dynasty, the Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica) is the most comprehensive medical encyclopedia in the history of traditional Chinese medicine. Volume 1 Part A begins this monumental series, exploring early classifications of medicinal substances and their applications. For homesteaders, herbalists, and anyone curious about nature’s pharmacy, this volume offers a direct look into centuries-old wisdom still studied and applied today.

Why It’s Tough Enough for Tough Kraut
• A Monumental Work of Knowledge: Considered the “crown jewel” of Chinese materia medica, the Ben Cao Gang Mu records more than 1,800 substances, beginning in this first volume with foundational entries that shaped TCM and later pharmacology.
• Historical & Cultural Legacy: Listed by UNESCO (2011) as part of the world’s documentary heritage, this book preserves over 27 years of Li Shizhen’s research and is regarded as a turning point in global medical history.
• Practical Application Today: Beyond history, its classifications of plants, animals, and minerals continue to guide herbal practice and help readers connect plants with their functions, organs, and systemic benefits.
• Scholarly Rigor, Global Access: This annotated edition, with English translation alongside the original Chinese, opens a rare window for both researchers and practitioners to access this cornerstone of East Asian medicine.

Proven Finishing Touches
• Widely Recognized: UNESCO registers it as “the most complete and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of TCM.”
• Trusted Translation: Paul Unschuld’s series is praised for accuracy and depth, presenting the Chinese text alongside scholarly commentary.
• Still in Daily Use: As MuDan notes from her own Chinese edition (ISBN: 9787557655402), the compendium remains a living reference for connecting plants to internal organ systems and TCM practice.

Why We Love It
At Tough Kraut, we see the Ben Cao Gang Mu as more than a historical text — it’s a bridge between ancient herbal wisdom and modern sustainable living. Just as Li Shizhen catalogued the medicinal properties of plants and animals for human health, we aim to document the species on our land and their ecological roles. For anyone practicing herbalism, permaculture, or simply curious about nature’s pharmacy, this book offers perspective, reverence, and endless inspiration.

Get Yours Now
Ready to explore the roots of herbal medicine? Ben Cao Gang Mu, Volume 1 Part A is available through University of California Press and on Amazon in your region.

Specifications
• Title: Ben Cao Gang Mu, Volume 1 Part A
• ISBN-13: 978-0520395152
• Author: Li Shizhen (1518–1593)
• Translator/Editor: Paul Unschuld
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Series: Ben Cao Gang Mu (9 volumes, 10 books)
• First Draft Completed: 1578 (Ming Dynasty)
• UNESCO Registration Year: 2011