This text was compiled by Prof. Zhang Gui-jun, a well-known Chinese medical expert from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, with the help of many other specialists with rich experience in the research and application of Chinese medicine. This book is a necessary reference for TCM practitioners, students and enthusiasts to help them recognize, identify and use the tools of the Chinese materia medica. This book contains information on 330 commonly used medicinals, which are divided into twenty major categories according to their actions and indications. Each entry contains:  name (pinyin, Chinese, Latin, English)  species (type)  processed products  property and flavor  channels entered  actions  indications  chemical constituents  pharmacological effects  dosage and administration  cautions and indications  commonly used prescriptions from classical texts High-quality photographs of the original plant, animal or mineral, crude drug and processed products are presented with each entry. This book contains rich pictures, and is intuitive to use, concise and targeted. It combines knowledge, interesting information, practical application and science. Its focus on practical application makes recall easy.