本草備要

A scientific publication concerning traditional herbal medicine written in the early 20th century. The book focuses on various medicinal herbs, detailing their properties, applications, and the corresponding ailments they treat. It serves as a practical guide for practitioners and students of Traditional Chinese Medicine, offering a systematic approach to understanding plant-based remedies. The opening of ''Bencao Beiyao'' introduces the author’s rationale for creating this work, emphasizing the need for concise and accessible reference material regarding medicinal herbs. It critiques earlier texts for their extensive lists and lack of practical application, thus justifying the author's own selection of around three hundred herbs that are commonly encountered in practice. The text discusses the nature of medicines, their effects on different organs, and the fundamental principles of herbal usage, laying a foundation for more detailed examinations of each herb in subsequent sections. This practical approach offers a clear framework for users to understand traditional remedies effectively.