本草綱目: A Comprehensive Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine
本草綱目 is a monumental work of pharmacology written by Li Shizhen during the Ming Dynasty inThe book spans over 52 volumes and contains more than 1.9 million words, documenting 1,892 medicinal substances, and collecting 11,096 medical prescriptions. With 1,160 exquisite illustrations, the book is divided into 16 sections and 60 categories.
Building upon the achievements of previous works in the field of pharmacology, Li Shizhen combines his extensive knowledge and years of research to create this remarkable masterpiece. The book not only corrects past mistakes in the study of medicinal herbs, but also incorporates a wealth of scientific data, presents a more scientific classification of drugs, and integrates advanced biological evolutionary thinking. Additionally, it reflects the rich clinical practices of its time. This book holds worldwide influence and is considered a significant contribution to the field of natural history.