Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies

Chinese herbal medicine is a branch of traditional medicine that is based on the ancient Chinese medical practices. It primarily focuses on the utilization of the elements and extracts derived from plants. It also uses human, animal and mineral products that are sometimes poisonous. Various methods are used for the classification of Chinese herbal medicine. They include the four natures, the five flavors, the meridians and the specific function. The most common herbs used in Chinese herbal medicine are ginseng, ginkgo, mushrooms, wolfberry, astragalus, salvia, cinnamon, licorice, bupleurum and atractylodes. Chinese herbal medicines are usually prepared by decoction in which the herbal materials such as stems, roots, rhizomes and bark are boiled to dissolve their chemicals. This book discusses the fundamentals as well as modern approaches of Chinese herbal medicine. It will also provide interesting topics for research which interested readers can take up. It is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area as well as for experts.