Pharmacology and Clinical Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Author: Shen Pian'an (Editor-in-Chief)
Publisher:
Publish Date: July 1, 2006
Features: This is a clinical pharmacology textbook of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) written by experienced TCM practitioners based on their over 40 years of clinical experience. Unlike TCM textbooks written by pharmacology professors or experts, its greatest feature lies in its strong clinical applicability. The book is divided into two parts. The upper part, the General Theory, consists of 3 chapters, primarily introducing differential diagnosis and treatment, modern research on TCM, an overview of modern TCM research, and an overview of adverse reactions of TCM. The lower part, the Specific Theory, categorizes all herbs into 15 chapters, including 417 main herbs and 146 supplementary herbs, totaling 563. Each main herb generally includes 8 sections: "Properties and Functions," "Traditional Applications," "Main Components," "Pharmacological Effects," "Clinical Applications," "Dosage and Administration," "Clinical Insights," and "Adverse Reactions." Herbs with multiple uses are combined for discussion, while those with limited information are briefly introduced.
In the "Pharmacological Effects" section of each herb, the book briefly introduces pharmacological research conclusions strongly related to clinical applications, primarily focusing on the pharmacological effects of the main active components of TCM. This provides valuable insights into the potential efficacy mechanisms of TCM. Its concise and practical nature makes it particularly suitable for clinical practitioners.
The "Clinical Insights" section is a highlight of the book. Based on traditional TCM theory and differential diagnosis and treatment, it combines chemical composition and pharmacological research findings with recognized clinical usage patterns, as well as the author's years of clinical experience, reflections, and lessons learned. It elucidates the indications, usage methods, and potential efficacy mechanisms of each herb in modern TCM clinical practice. The book also challenges and corrects unclear, inaccurate, or inappropriate descriptions of TCM usage found in other publications (e.g., properties, suitability for TCM syndromes, Western medical conditions, pathological mechanisms, and functional). Additionally, it includes many insights not covered in other sources, such as discrepancies between traditional functions and pharmacological effects, contradictions between traditional indications and disease pathology, and contraindications for herbs with similarities yet differences in their primary indications.
Many of these insights require extensive TCM clinical experience, a high level of integrated knowledge of both TCM and Western medicine, and meticulous observation of clinical outcomes, followed by rational reflection to form unique perspectives. These insights are highly beneficial for improving the clinical application of TCM.
The "Dosage and Administration" section for each herb typically categorizes dosage into three levels: pharmacopoeia dosage, clinical common dosage, and high dosage, helping readers understand both standard and variable usage. The "Adverse Reactions" section generally covers traditional literature records, modern research findings, and clinical observations.
Many contents in the book are innovative and closely aligned with current TCM clinical practice, making it an excellent reference for clinical TCM pharmacology. This book will serve as an important reference for TCM and integrated Chinese and Western medicine practitioners in clinical practice and knowledge updates. It is also suitable for TCM teaching staff in hospitals, clinical researchers, and TCM developers.