Ben Cao Gang Mu, Volume 1 Part B: Pharmaceutical Insights from the Ming Dynasty

The Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica) by Li Shizhen is the most comprehensive medical encyclopedia in the history of traditional Chinese medicine. Volume 1 Part B continues where Part A leaves off, offering translations of later portions of Chapter 3 and the full Chapter 4, focusing on pharmaceutical drugs for diseases. For herbalists, researchers, and readers curious about the medicinal practices of Ming China, this volume reveals the systematic ways natural substances were applied to treat illness centuries before modern pharmacology.

Why It’s Tough Enough for Tough Kraut
• Focused on Disease Remedies: While Part A sets the foundation, Part B delves into pharmaceutical drugs, showing how substances were classified and prescribed for treating ailments.
• Continuity of a Masterwork: This text continues Li Shizhen’s monumental effort to compile 1,800+ medicinal substances, correcting past errors and building a practical, lasting record.
• Historical & Cultural Weight: As part of the UNESCO-listed compendium (2011), this section preserves the medical approaches of an era when China led global herbal knowledge.
• Modern Relevance: For today’s readers, the translation offers both a study of TCM’s lineage and inspiration for exploring plant- and mineral-based remedies in a holistic way.

Proven Finishing Touches
• Global Recognition: UNESCO calls the Ben Cao Gang Mu “the most complete and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of TCM.”
• Trusted Translation: Paul Unschuld’s annotated English version provides clarity, depth, and side-by-side access to the original Chinese text.
• Practical Continuation: Complements Volume 1A by expanding into remedies for diseases, bridging foundational knowledge with direct application.

Why We Love It
This volume shows how Li Shizhen turned raw knowledge into real-world healing practices. For us at Tough Kraut, it echoes the same principle we follow on our homestead: knowledge must be lived, tested, and applied. Just as our plants are chosen for resilience and function, the Ben Cao Gang Mu captures a tradition where every leaf, mineral, and root was understood in relation to human health. It’s an invaluable resource for anyone seeking depth in herbal medicine.

Get Yours Now
Ready to explore the remedies of Ming-era herbalists? Ben Cao Gang Mu, Volume 1 Part B is available through University of California Press and on Amazon in your region.

Specifications
• Title: Ben Cao Gang Mu, Volume 1 Part B
• 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
• ISBN: 978-0520395169