This volume is the first translation of and commentary on one of the most remarkable texts in the Chinese medical literature, Li Shi-Zhen’s Exposition on the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. Bringing together writings on acupuncture, herbal medicine, and internal cultivation (nei dan), it argues that aspiring adepts and physicians alike must understand the full scope of the extraordinary vessels if they hope to achieve their respective goals.

The book is divided into five parts:

• Part I provides an introductory overview of the main themes running throughout the text: theory, acupuncture, herbal medicine, internal alchemy, and pulse diagnosis.
• Part II contains the Chinese text and translation of the Exposition itself.
• Part III presents extensive commentaries on the text.
• Part IV discusses the influence of Li Shi-Zhen’s extraordinary vessel writings on subsequent pre-modern and modern physicians.
• Part V consists of appendices containing tables of herbs, prescriptions, acupuncture holes, and the people and books mentioned in the Exposition.

There is also an extensive bibliography, point/hole and herb/formula index, and general index.

Product Details:

By Charles Chace & Miki Shima

502 pages