Chinese Decoctions and Syndrome Differentiation (Zhang Zhongjing's Syndrome Differentiation Theory)

Author: Zhang Chang'en
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: Zhang Zhongjing's Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases is regarded as a model of syndrome differentiation and treatment in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with "prescription-syndrome differentiation" being widely used by practitioners but yet to be fully recognized and elevated to a theoretical level for comprehensive organization. This book is born out of this need. The introduction elaborates on the conceptual connotation, historical origins, structural significance, hierarchical relationships, connection with the Six Channels differentiation, and the achievements in guiding clinical practice of the concept of decoction-prescription-syndrome. The main body of the book lists 113 prescription-syndromes, providing analytical demonstrations, discussing them under projects such as the four essential elements of prescription-syndrome, differentiation of similar syndromes, clinical application, modern research, and selected case studies. The focus is on the four essential elements, differentiation of similar syndromes, and clinical application, to help readers grasp the characteristics of prescription-syndromes and apply them in clinical practice. The appendix extracts original texts and prescriptions from Treatise on Cold Damage, dosage explanations, and a prescription-syndrome index to facilitate readers' comparative study, allowing them to see both the original meaning of the classics and contemporary developments. The book presents a novel approach, with content that is practical, concise, and rich in theory, offering high clinical applicability. It is suitable for clinical doctors, teachers and students of TCM institutions, TCM researchers, and clinicians practicing integrated Chinese and Western medicine for reference.