Medical Prescriptions Collected and Explained: A New Interpretation, An Essential Reading Series for Beginners in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Author: Wang Ang (Qing Dynasty) original, Yang Wenchao interpretation, Dun Baosheng review
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) prescriptions and medications have a long history, with profound origins. The ancient and modern works on prescription theories are vast and endless. Yang Wenchao, a teacher from Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, presented me with his book "New Interpretation of Medical Formulas Collected and Explained." His annotations and explanations are concise yet precise, rigorous and objective, with insightful discussions and a fresh perspective. They emphasize both theory and clinical practice, making the book highly practical.
The interpretation of formulas () explains the significance of the formula composition and the characteristics of drug combinations, originating with Jin Chengwu and flourishing in the Qing Dynasty. Wang Ang's "Medical Formulas Collected and Explained" selects "formulas commonly used in various books and widely used in the world," with over 300 main formulas and more supplementary ones. It collects famous quotes from on prescription theories, detailing the etiology and pathogenesis of each formula's primary conditions, involved organs and meridians, drug properties, compatibility, meridian, modifications, and administration methods. Its academic value is high, it has been widely circulated, and it has had a significant impact on later generations.
However, the theory of formula in Wang's book, although it holds certain clinical guiding significance, has been rarely used in later generations. Yang Wenchao, rooted in the fundamentals of TCM, draws from the essence of both ancient and modern medicine, integrating the latest research findings on modern prescriptions and medications. He scientifically organizes Wang's work, boldly supplements and corrects annotations, and reveals deeper insights, uncovering the essence of the original text. Especially noteworthy are the added sections on modern research and applications of formulas and medications, as well as academic debates, which hold high clinical practical value and are also valuable references for theoretical research on formulas.