Incense and Medicinal Prescriptions · Volume Navigation
Incense and Medicine from the Same Source: Compiled Incense and Medicinals into Prescriptions by Dynasty — Han Ben Cao Classic Formulas, Tang Qianjin Suhe, Song Bureau Formulas Huoxiang, Ming Gangmu Materia Medica, Qing Liang Kai San Bao.
Volume Table of Contents
- Han · Incense and Medicinals in Classic Formulas
- Tang · Qianjin Formulas and Imported Incense and Medicinals
- Song · Heji Bureau Formulas
- Ming · Bencao Gangmu Study of Incense and Medicinals
- Qing · Liang Kai San Bao
"Incense and Medicine from the Same Source" is the underlying logic of Chinese incense culture(香学): many spices are themselves medicinal materials. This collection is divided into volumes by dynasty, and together withOverview of Incense and Medicinal Prescriptionsthey complement each other.
Volumes by Efficacy
Spices are also medicinal substances; their medicinal uses can likewise be viewed through "efficacy": opening the orifices, calming the spirit, moving qi, warming the interior, and resolving dampness—each of the five categories has its own strengths:
Aromatic Medicine Formulas · Volume Navigation
The following Q&A is compiled from content on this site for quick reference; the medicinal properties of aromatic materials are described according to traditional understanding and do not constitute medical advice.
How are the sub-volumes of aromatic medicine formulas divided?
In addition to the chronological overview, they are divided into volumes along two dimensions—"dynasty" and "efficacy" (opening the orifices, calming the spirit, moving qi, warming the interior, resolving dampness)—for convenient cross-referencing and retrieval.
How are aromatic medicines distinguished from spices?
The same substance is called an "aromatic material" in the context of spices and an "aromatic medicine" in the context of medicine; in essence, these are two cultural uses of the same substance. Both systems on this site are presented as documentary compilations.