Jul 29 2009
10 Key Formula Families
It has been a long journey and I am delighted to share the news that The 10 Key Formula Families in Chinese Medicine is now available. You will be able to find it at the usual outlets, and of course from Eastland Press. To help celebrate the occasion Eastland Press is offering a discount on the book from now, until the end of August.
From Huang’s forward to the Chinese edition:
While there are no less than dozens of formula categories in Chinese medicine, large and small, in this book we will discuss ten key families. While becoming familiar with theses formula categories and their constituent herbs, will not enable the reader to have complete mastery over all aspects of Chinese medicine. It will however, allow practitioners to grasp the rules in general for using Chinese herbal formulas, to understand the basic principles of Chinese medicine’s differentiation of patterns as a basis for treatment, and to handle these with ease in the clinic. Thus, laying down a firm foundation for the further study of Chinese medicine.
It is deceiving how much time and effort is required to dig the English out of one thin, little book on Chinese medicine; nor is it a solitary endevor. The assitance of my editor, Dan Bensky; the ongoing conversations both in person and by email with Dr. Huang; the patients that have visited Yong Kang clinic over the past few years and various collegues who have proofed the material and offered up their insights and suggestions, all of them share the responsibily for this book making its way into English. All have played a role in helping me to bring Dr. Huang’s words and ideas to the Western reader. I owe a deep debt of gratitude to all who have helped bring this project to fruition.
8 responses so far
I’ve just taken part in a week’s course with Dr. Huang in London, about his approach to chinese medicine, the classsic formulas and the constitution-based therapy.
I am fascinated by him, his way of teaching, his inspiration, his shen, his enthusiasm, intelligence, presence and personality !
His book is fantastic and makes it much easier for me being a “beginner” in using classic formulas/ treating with chinese herbs in addition to acupuncture.
It helps clearing the confusion of the “beginner” facing 1000 different formulas to treat hundeds of different manifestations, trying to find the right diagnosis and formulas.
It gives a clear and reliable basis and an approach which is pragmatic, logical, concise and clearly linked to clinical experiance and practicabilitity .
His book is likewise fascinating , very nicely edited with beautiful cartoons illustrating patients’ constitutions and herb presentations.
Big compliment to him, to his Translator Michael Max and to the editor!
One remark/proposal to help the reader, who tries to learn and think in Chinese Terminology:
as far as I am concerned I’d prefer having the pinyin-names of the herbs and the formulas first, and the English/Latin ones behind in brackets!
Best Regards,
Peter Scherk
GP
Dietenhofen, Germany
Hey Michael,
Just got the book and wanted to tell you that you did a beautiful job translating it.
The little extra tidbits you threw in are really helpful and make the book all that more clinically useful and fun to read.
Well done!!!
Eran Even
Vancouver, BC
Could you please tell the the name of the original Chinese book this book was translated from?
The original title in Chinese is 中醫十大類方.
Michael – I have been excited to read this book for some time – as I have been hearing about your adventures/studies through your family in the US for several years. After several years of focusing on Acupuncture and Bodywork, I have recently begun to study herbs. Congrats on the completion of such a large project. I am finding the book fascinating and eye opening. I look forward to learning more… and more.
Maegan Lemp
This book is a great way to enter the study of herbs as it gives some very clear structure for understanding the similarities and differences between prescriptions. And as we are in the same city, we can get together to discuss any questions you might have!
I am loving the book, may I send you some questions after I’ve digested it some more?
10 Key Formula Families is very good book and I have wrote some articles about Dr.Huang Hang in my blog. Thanks Michael for your effort to bring insightful idea on classical formulas.