Encyclopedia of Chinese and U.S. Patent Herbal Medicines

Rating:
Summary: very useful clinical reference
Review: I've happy to have finally found a definitive reference book on patents. The book is beautifully bound, and the layout is logical and easy to use. It includes essential information on the quality and efficacy of different companies' products, and puts an end to the confusion over patent names with handy cross-references.

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding contribution to alternative medicine studies.
Review: The Encyclopedia of Chinese and U.S. Patent Herbal Medicines, written by Chongyun Liu, O.M.D., L.Ac. and Yong Deng, O.M.D. is a reference for practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The term "patent medicine" refers to classic Chinese medicinal formulas passed down through the centuries. Although the formulas were once kept secret, most are now known. Patent medicines are available over the counter. With the spread of TCM, practitioners in countries other than China now use the patent medicines. Liu and Deng note that "the increase in Chinese medicine in the United States has highlighted two significant problems with Chinese-produced patent medicines." The first problem is quality control, and the second involves the ingredients used. Many patent medicines are also now produced in the States, and have been given English names. Liu and Deng wrote their book as "an aid to students and practitioners in figuring out which U.S. product corresponds to which Chinese patent medicine, and how U.S. products correspond with each other." They start with a description of fifty-five medical conditions that practitioners most often encounter. The descriptions include both Western and TCM terminology, and encompass subtypes and symptoms. The descriptions are followed by tables listing the classical patent medicine formulas, and the U.S. equivalents. The second part of the book is a alphabetical cross-reference of Chinese formulas, and U.S. equivalents. The final section presents detailed information about the ingredients of U.S. formulas. All readers wishing information about using U.S.- made Chinese medicines will find the Encyclopedia of Chinese and U.S. Patent Herbal Medicines an invaluable reference. Novices will also find it useful in learning about TCM practices.

Sandra I. Smith, Reviewer

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding contribution to alternative medicine studies.
Review: The Encyclopedia of Chinese and U.S. Patent Herbal Medicines, written by Chongyun Liu, O.M.D., L.Ac. and Yong Deng, O.M.D. is a reference for practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The term "patent medicine" refers to classic Chinese medicinal formulas passed down through the centuries. Although the formulas were once kept secret, most are now known. Patent medicines are available over the counter. With the spread of TCM, practitioners in countries other than China now use the patent medicines. Liu and Deng note that "the increase in Chinese medicine in the United States has highlighted two significant problems with Chinese-produced patent medicines." The first problem is quality control, and the second involves the ingredients used. Many patent medicines are also now produced in the States, and have been given English names. Liu and Deng wrote their book as "an aid to students and practitioners in figuring out which U.S. product corresponds to which Chinese patent medicine, and how U.S. products correspond with each other." They start with a description of fifty-five medical conditions that practitioners most often encounter. The descriptions include both Western and TCM terminology, and encompass subtypes and symptoms. The descriptions are followed by tables listing the classical patent medicine formulas, and the U.S. equivalents. The second part of the book is a alphabetical cross-reference of Chinese formulas, and U.S. equivalents. The final section presents detailed information about the ingredients of U.S. formulas. All readers wishing information about using U.S.- made Chinese medicines will find the Encyclopedia of Chinese and U.S. Patent Herbal Medicines an invaluable reference. Novices will also find it useful in learning about TCM practices.

Sandra I. Smith, Reviewer