Expert Endorsements
“Zhongzhen Talks Bencao Gangmu” is rooted in the classic Compendium, yet expands beyond it — elegantly crafted for both scholarly appreciation and public enjoyment, richly illustrated and engaging.”
— Zheng Jinsheng
Chairman, National Society for the History of Pharmacy and Materia Medica
Former Director, Institute of Medical History and Literature, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
“Zhongzhen’s interpretation of Bencao Gangmu opens the gates of this profound classic to all readers — no background required.”
— Zhang Qicheng
Founding Dean, School of Chinese Classics, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
Research Fellow, Center for Chinese Cultural Development, Peking University
“By drawing on everyday life experiences familiar to the general public, Zhongzhen makes traditional Chinese medicine accessible — easy to understand, remember, apply, and share.”
— Kang Tingguo
President, National Association for Chinese Medicine Identification Education and Research
Former Vice President, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
”Zhongzhen Talks Bencao Gangmu is a publishing innovation: encyclopedic in scope, literary in style, and visually stunning — more elegant than an art album.”
— Yang Gang
National Publishing Expert
Former Deputy Editor-in-Chief, China Population Publishing House
Step into a vibrant journey through the living heritage of herbal wisdom.
About the Author
Zhao Zhongzhen graduated from Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1982 and went on to earn his master’s and doctoral degrees from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, respectively.
In 1999, he was invited to join Hong Kong Baptist University, where he has served as Associate Dean and Chair Professor of the School of Chinese Medicine. He also holds several honorary and concurrent positions, including Distinguished Professor at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Director of the Bencao Gangmu Research Institute, and Honorary Curator of the Li Shizhen Memorial Hall. He formerly served as Director of the Pharmacognosy Research Center at the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.
Dr. Zhao was awarded the National Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Class) in 1991 and was named an Outstanding Young and Middle-Aged Expert with Significant Contributions by China’s Ministry of Personnel in 1992. In 2014, he received the Medal of Honor from the Hong Kong SAR Government, and has been widely praised as a “Modern-Day Li Shizhen” and an “International Ambassador for Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture.”
About the Book
Over the course of more than 40 years, the author conducted extensive field research across 30 provinces in China and over 40 countries and regions across all seven continents.
Following the structure of the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu)’s 16 sections, this work is divided into 200 thematic chapters covering the natural world of plants, animals, and minerals. Each entry explores the scientific aspects—such as morphology and habitat—alongside the rich tapestry of medical uses, dietary traditions, folklore, and cross-cultural exchanges embedded in their histories.
Through lively and engaging prose, paired with over 2,000 richly detailed and beautifully colored images, the book reveals a world where nature and culture coexist in harmony.
To further enhance the reading experience, each chapter is accompanied by audio recordings—simply scan the QR codes to listen as you read.
