Contents 1. Prolegomena 1.1 History of Chinese materia medica literature 1.2 Structure and contents of the Ben cao gang mu 1.3 Biographical sketch of Li Shizhen (1518 - 1593) 2. Notes on the Translation 3. Wang Shizhen's preface of 1590 4. Translation of the Ben Cao Gang Mu , ch.

34 through 37 Woods I, Fragrant Woods Group, Chapter 34 Woods II, Tree-size Woods Group, Chapter 35 Woods III, Shrubs Group, Chapter 36 Woods IV, Epiphyte Woods, Chapter 37 Woods V, Densely Growing Woods Group Woods VI, Various Woods Group 5. Weights and measures 5.1 Measures of capacity 5.2 Measures of weight 5.3 Measures of length 5.4 Measures of the size of pills 6. Lists of substances 6.1 Identification of pharmaceutical substances of plant origin mentioned in BCGM ch.

34 - 37 in passing. Herbs with an entry of their own are marked with their entry number 6.2 Substances discussed in chapters 34 - 37 in a separate entry. Listed in alphabetical order of their proper pin yin names with their popular English names where available and references to their entry. 6.3 Currently accepted scientific identification of substances discussed in BCGM ch. 34 - 37 in a separate entry. Listed in alphabetical order, with reference to their entry.