The Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Rating:
Summary: An excellent reference book
Review: "The Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine" is a medicinal cookbook filled with time proven herbal remedies for numerous problems. Reknown Chinese herbalists Shen Ziyin and Chen Zelin have beutifully outlined the processing and applications of many Chinese medicinal herbs. Also includes a lot of information on applying accupuncture (worth the price of the book by itself). Contains many of the health promoting Qui Gong relaxation methods and exercises. Both authors have won many awards for scientific achievement in human organ research.

Rating:
Summary: A non-taoist, western approach to TCM
Review: It is unfortunate to describe the wu hsing as the five elements. Elements are fixed, particularly in a Western mind. A literal translation would be the five moving forces. A taoist would know that these moving forces are an idea, a way of coming to grips with a very complex subject. The most glaring error is to say Ch'i Kung is contra-indicated for psychiatric diseases. Having treated several thousand patients I can safely say that not only is this nonsense, but it is often the best possible treatment for psych. diseases.