Author Description

This set of 4 encyclopedic tomes embraces a vast collection of medicinal plants set out by regional interests, both Eastern and Western. Each medicinal is presented with Latin, English, PinYin, and Chinese nomenclature, accompanied by exquisite 4-color photographs of the herb both as field-grown plant and as dried medicinal preparation. The information for each includes a succinct overview describing the medicinal, the part used, the variety and number of species, areas of growth and distribution, earliest appearance in the medical literature, chemical composition, pharmacologic activities, and traditional Chinese medical indications. Additional material provides further depth regarding all aspects of pharmacological activity, medical applications, noteworthy comments, and full references. These four volumes are certain to set the bar for all other titles in the field. The introductory summary of each herb often has very significant information that isn't found in existing literature. Serious herbalists will recognize these volumes as a world-class offering, without equal in terms of breadth and depth of information, presentation, and utility.