FuzzyBot: Importing a new version from external source

2023-11-26T07:07:53Z

Importing a new version from external source

New page

The first traditionally recognized herbalist is [[Shennong|Shénnóng]] ({{lang|zh|神农}}, lit. "Divine Farmer"), a mythical god-like figure, who is said to have lived around 2800 BC. He allegedly tasted hundreds of herbs and imparted his knowledge of medicinal and poisonous plants to farmers. His ''[[Shennong Ben Cao Jing|Shénnóng Běn Cǎo Jīng]]'' ({{lang|zh|神农本草经}}, ''Shennong's [[Materia Medica]]'') is considered as the oldest book on Chinese herbal medicine. It classifies 365 species of roots, grass, woods, furs, animals and stones into three categories of herbal medicine:
# The "superior" category, which includes herbs effective for multiple diseases and are mostly responsible for maintaining and restoring the body balance. They have almost no unfavorable side-effects.
# A category comprising tonics and boosters, whose consumption must not be prolonged.
# A category of substances which must usually be taken in small doses, and for the treatment of specific diseases only.
The original text of Shennong's ''Materia Medica'' has been lost; however, there are extant translations. The true date of origin is believed to fall into the late Western Han dynasty (i.e., the first century BC).

Translations:Chinese herbology/6/en - Revision history

FuzzyBot: Importing a new version from external source