✵Prominent Ancient Herbalists introduces traditional Chinese medicine physicians and herbalists who have made outstanding contributions to the study and application of traditional Chinese medicine and have been widely renowned since their time.
This section introduces [15] prominent traditional Chinese medicine physicians and herbalists, including their biographies, legends, major works, and academic thoughts. The list of physicians and herbalists is arranged in chronological order based on the dynasty to which they belonged, the period in which they lived, and the date of compilation or publication of their major works—or the date of the earliest extant version thereof. In total, [39] traditional Chinese medicine works by them are introduced.
Qi Bo, a famous physician during the reign period of Huangdi (2698–2589 BCE). The emperor asked him to taste various kinds of herbs and study medicine and pharmacy. The first and greatest medical work produced in China, the Huangdi Nei Jing, also known as Huangdi's Internal Classic, or Canon of Medicine. It mainly consists of questions and answers between Huangdi and Qi Bo on health.
Hua Tuo
Hua Tuo, a famous surgeon and master of all branches of medicine, was a famous Taoist priest who lived primarily during the late Eastern Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period. He was also known as Huà Fū or Huà YuánHuā (c. 108–203 CE). He recommended therapeutic gymnastics known as Wu Qin Xi (the Frolics of Five Animals). He was a master of clinical diagnosis and treatment of internal, surgical, gynecological, and pediatric diseases, and he performed medical miracles. The book Zhong Zang Jing (the Central Treasury Canon) was once ascribed to him.
Ge Hong
Ge Hong, a famous physician, world-renowned alchemist, and prominent Taoist priest of the Jin Dynasty. He was native to Danyang Jurong. He is the author of the books Bao Pu Zi, a treatise on alchemy and dietetics, and Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang (A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies), which includes many valuable descriptions and records of diseases. Ge Hong's courtesy name was Zhì Chuān; his Taoist monastic name is Baopu Zi, so he is also known as Ge Zhichuan or Baopu Zi.
Tao Hongjing
Tao Hongjing, a famous Taoist priest who specialized in the study of herbs and was also known as Tao Tongming (456–536 CE), had the courtesy name Tongming and was a native of Danyang Moling. He was also a renowned Taoist priest during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period, who compiled the seven-volume Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu (Commentary on Sheng Nong's Herbal), one of the most valuable texts on Chinese materia medica in China history. It describes 730 varieties of medicinal substances, including vegetables (plants), animal and mineral medicine. Tao was also the author of the two-volume Yang Xing Yan Ming Lu (Recordings of Nature-cultivation and Life Preservation).
Sun Simiao
Sun Simiao, a prominent physician and Taoist priest who lived during the Sui and the Tang Dynasties. He is the author of two important medical works: the Qian Jin Yao Fang (The Invaluable Prescriptions) (652 CE), a 30-volume book containing 5,300 herbal recipes and formulas, and the Qian Jin Yi Fang (The Supplement to the Invaluable Prescriptions) (682 CE, a book considered a compilation of medical achievements before the 7th century.
Wang Bing
Wang Bing, a physician specializing in the art of healing and health preservation, spent twelve years rearranging and revising the Su Wen (The Plain Questions), one of the two-component parts of the Nei Jing (Huangdi's Internal Classic), into 24 volumes, containing notes, commentaries, and supplements.
Sun Yikui
Sun Yikui, also known as Sun WenYuan or Sun DongSu (1520/1522-1619 CE), was a famous physician who lived during the Ming dynasty. He is the author of the books Chi Shui Xuan Zhu (The Black Pearl of the Red River),Yi Zhi Xu Yu (The Supplement of the Treatment of Fundamental Points) and Sun Wen Yuan Yi An (Case Records of Sun Wenyuan), which were collected by his sons. In these works, he advocates combining various schools of thought and maintains that herbalists should be familiar with all the theories to master the whole art of healing.
Zhang Jiebin
Zhang Jiebin, a famous physician from the Ming Dynasty. He was especially well-versed in the Nei Jing (The Internal Classic of the Yellow Emperor) and compiled several famous medical work, including Jing Yue Quan Shu (Jing Yue’s Complete Works), Lei Jing (Systematic Compilation of the Inner Canon), Lei Jing Fu Yi (Supplementary to the Classified Canon), Lei Jing Tu Yi (Illustrated Supplementary to the Classified Canon), and Zhi Yi Lu.
Zhang Zhongjing
Zhang Ji, also known as Zhang Zhongjing (c. 150-219 CE), was one of the most influential herbalists in Chinese history. He was a legendary herbalist and master of herbs in both Chinese and world history. Zhang Zhongjing’s work Shang Han Za Bing Lun (Treatise on Cold-Induced and Miscellaneous Diseases) was the first canonical medical text to fully integrate "theory, diagnosis, treatment principles, herbal prescriptions, and therapeutic methods."
Wang Shuhe
Wang Xi, a talented physician, according to some records, was once a Director of the Imperial Academy of Medicine in the Jin Dynasty. He is also known as Wang Shuhe. He was a native of Gaoping and a famous physician of the late Eastern Han and West Jin periods. He was well versed in pulse-taking and was the author of the Mai Jing (The Pulse Classic), the earliest comprehensive book on sphygmology (pulse diagnosis) to survive till today in China. He perfected and systematised the art of pulse-taking, while also emphasising the use of other disgnostic methods. He rearranged Zhang Zhongjing’s works into Shanghan Lun (The Treatise on Cold-induced Diseases) and Jin Kui Yao Lüe (The Synopsis of the Golden Chamber), thus contributing greatly to the preservation of these important classical works of medicine. Wang Shuhe was a renowned physician and master of sphygmology (pulse diagnosis) in ancient China.
Zhen Quan
Zhen Quan, a physician during the Tang Dynasty and a leading expert on acupuncture. He was also the author of the Zhen Fang (The Needling Prescriptions), Ming Tang Ren Xing Tu (Illustrations of the Human Body’s Acupuncture Points), and Yao Xing Lun (Treatise on the Nature of Medicinal Substances).
Pang Anshi
Pang Anshi, a famous physician who lived during the Song Dynasty and authored several renowned works. The most widely read of these was a detailed and comprehensive treatise on cold-induced diseases and warm diseases titled Shang Han Zong Bing Lun (The General Treatise on Cold-Induced Diseases).
Xu Shuwei
Xu Shuwei, a prominent physician of the Song Dynasty and a follower of Zhang Zhongjing's theory. Based on Zhang Zhongjing's work, he created graphic illustrations of 36 types of pulses and developed the theory of prescribing herbs according to the severity of the disease. He was the author of several medical works; the most widely read is the Lei Zheng Pu Ji Ben Shi Fang (Classified Effective Prescriptions for Universal Relief), a 10-volume medical compendium.
Li Dongyuan
Li Gao: He is also known as Li Mingzhi or Li Dongyuan (1180–1251 CE), a disciple of the herbalist Zhang Yuansu. He held the view that diseases, apart from exogenous pathogenic factors, were mainly caused by internal injury to the spleen and stomach—such as intemperance in diet and drinking or overwork—and advocated therapies focused on regulating the spleen and stomach and nourishing the premordial Qi (Yuan Qi). He is considered the founder of the School for Strengthening the Spleen and Stomach, and his masterpiece is the Pi Wei Lun (Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach).
Wang Haogu
Wang Haogu, a distinguished, sagacious physician lived in the thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries. He was also known as Wang Jinzhi by his alias and as Wang Hai-Zang in his later years. His chief contribution was explaining yin syndromes and using warming tonics in the later stages of cold-induced diseases. Five of his works are still extant and well known, including the Tang Ye Ben Cao (The Materia Medica of Decoction).
✵Prominent Ancient Herbalists introduces traditional Chinese medicine physicians and herbalists who have made outstanding contributions to the study and application of traditional Chinese medicine and have been widely renowned since their time.
Qi Bo, a famous physician during the reign period of Huangdi (2698–2589 BCE). The emperor asked him to taste various kinds of herbs and study medicine and pharmacy. The first and greatest medical work produced in China, the Huangdi Nei Jing, also known as Huangdi's Internal Classic, or Canon of Medicine. It mainly consists of questions and answers between Huangdi and Qi Bo on health.
Hua Tuo, a famous surgeon and master of all branches of medicine, was a famous Taoist priest who lived primarily during the late Eastern Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period. He was also known as Huà Fū or Huà YuánHuā (c. 108–203 CE). He recommended therapeutic gymnastics known as Wu Qin Xi (the Frolics of Five Animals). He was a master of clinical diagnosis and treatment of internal, surgical, gynecological, and pediatric diseases, and he performed medical miracles. The book Zhong Zang Jing (the Central Treasury Canon) was once ascribed to him.
Ge Hong, a famous physician, world-renowned alchemist, and prominent Taoist priest of the Jin Dynasty. He was native to Danyang Jurong. He is the author of the books Bao Pu Zi, a treatise on alchemy and dietetics, and Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang (A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies), which includes many valuable descriptions and records of diseases. Ge Hong's courtesy name was Zhì Chuān; his Taoist monastic name is Baopu Zi, so he is also known as Ge Zhichuan or Baopu Zi.
Tao Hongjing, a famous Taoist priest who specialized in the study of herbs and was also known as Tao Tongming (456–536 CE), had the courtesy name Tongming and was a native of Danyang Moling. He was also a renowned Taoist priest during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period, who compiled the seven-volume Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu (Commentary on Sheng Nong's Herbal), one of the most valuable texts on Chinese materia medica in China history. It describes 730 varieties of medicinal substances, including vegetables (plants), animal and mineral medicine. Tao was also the author of the two-volume Yang Xing Yan Ming Lu (Recordings of Nature-cultivation and Life Preservation).
Sun Simiao, a prominent physician and Taoist priest who lived during the Sui and the Tang Dynasties. He is the author of two important medical works: the Qian Jin Yao Fang (The Invaluable Prescriptions) (652 CE), a 30-volume book containing 5,300 herbal recipes and formulas, and the Qian Jin Yi Fang (The Supplement to the Invaluable Prescriptions) (682 CE, a book considered a compilation of medical achievements before the 7th century.
Wang Bing, a physician specializing in the art of healing and health preservation, spent twelve years rearranging and revising the Su Wen (The Plain Questions), one of the two-component parts of the Nei Jing (Huangdi's Internal Classic), into 24 volumes, containing notes, commentaries, and supplements.
Sun Yikui, also known as Sun WenYuan or Sun DongSu (1520/1522-1619 CE), was a famous physician who lived during the Ming dynasty. He is the author of the books Chi Shui Xuan Zhu (The Black Pearl of the Red River),Yi Zhi Xu Yu (The Supplement of the Treatment of Fundamental Points) and Sun Wen Yuan Yi An (Case Records of Sun Wenyuan), which were collected by his sons. In these works, he advocates combining various schools of thought and maintains that herbalists should be familiar with all the theories to master the whole art of healing.
Zhang Jiebin, a famous physician from the Ming Dynasty. He was especially well-versed in the Nei Jing (The Internal Classic of the Yellow Emperor) and compiled several famous medical work, including Jing Yue Quan Shu (Jing Yue’s Complete Works), Lei Jing (Systematic Compilation of the Inner Canon), Lei Jing Fu Yi (Supplementary to the Classified Canon), Lei Jing Tu Yi (Illustrated Supplementary to the Classified Canon), and Zhi Yi Lu.
Zhang Ji, also known as Zhang Zhongjing (c. 150-219 CE), was one of the most influential herbalists in Chinese history. He was a legendary herbalist and master of herbs in both Chinese and world history. Zhang Zhongjing’s work Shang Han Za Bing Lun (Treatise on Cold-Induced and Miscellaneous Diseases) was the first canonical medical text to fully integrate "theory, diagnosis, treatment principles, herbal prescriptions, and therapeutic methods."
Wang Xi, a talented physician, according to some records, was once a Director of the Imperial Academy of Medicine in the Jin Dynasty. He is also known as Wang Shuhe. He was a native of Gaoping and a famous physician of the late Eastern Han and West Jin periods. He was well versed in pulse-taking and was the author of the Mai Jing (The Pulse Classic), the earliest comprehensive book on sphygmology (pulse diagnosis) to survive till today in China. He perfected and systematised the art of pulse-taking, while also emphasising the use of other disgnostic methods. He rearranged Zhang Zhongjing’s works into Shanghan Lun (The Treatise on Cold-induced Diseases) and Jin Kui Yao Lüe (The Synopsis of the Golden Chamber), thus contributing greatly to the preservation of these important classical works of medicine. Wang Shuhe was a renowned physician and master of sphygmology (pulse diagnosis) in ancient China.
Zhen Quan, a physician during the Tang Dynasty and a leading expert on acupuncture. He was also the author of the Zhen Fang (The Needling Prescriptions), Ming Tang Ren Xing Tu (Illustrations of the Human Body’s Acupuncture Points), and Yao Xing Lun (Treatise on the Nature of Medicinal Substances).
Pang Anshi, a famous physician who lived during the Song Dynasty and authored several renowned works. The most widely read of these was a detailed and comprehensive treatise on cold-induced diseases and warm diseases titled Shang Han Zong Bing Lun (The General Treatise on Cold-Induced Diseases).
Xu Shuwei, a prominent physician of the Song Dynasty and a follower of Zhang Zhongjing's theory. Based on Zhang Zhongjing's work, he created graphic illustrations of 36 types of pulses and developed the theory of prescribing herbs according to the severity of the disease. He was the author of several medical works; the most widely read is the Lei Zheng Pu Ji Ben Shi Fang (Classified Effective Prescriptions for Universal Relief), a 10-volume medical compendium.
Li Gao: He is also known as Li Mingzhi or Li Dongyuan (1180–1251 CE), a disciple of the herbalist Zhang Yuansu. He held the view that diseases, apart from exogenous pathogenic factors, were mainly caused by internal injury to the spleen and stomach—such as intemperance in diet and drinking or overwork—and advocated therapies focused on regulating the spleen and stomach and nourishing the premordial Qi (Yuan Qi). He is considered the founder of the School for Strengthening the Spleen and Stomach, and his masterpiece is the Pi Wei Lun (Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach).
Wang Haogu, a distinguished, sagacious physician lived in the thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries. He was also known as Wang Jinzhi by his alias and as Wang Hai-Zang in his later years. His chief contribution was explaining yin syndromes and using warming tonics in the later stages of cold-induced diseases. Five of his works are still extant and well known, including the Tang Ye Ben Cao (The Materia Medica of Decoction).