The Clinical Manual of Chinese Herbal Patent Medicines is the most up to date text on what is actually available in the market and what is good and of good quality. It is an essential addition to the desk and bookshelf of all serious practitioners and students of Chinese medicine. In addition to the government registered medicines available in Australia, the details a number of classical prescriptions currently available only in the US and Europe. One of the nicest features of the text is its use of small icons in the left margin to indicate use information. Each formula is discussed in terms of its TCM Actions, Biomedical actions, Indications, Composition, Combinations, Dose and Method of Administration, and Cautions and Contraindications. A specially nice feature are the line drawings of persons illustrating elements of the patterns. These are often expressive of the adittudinal and psychological characteristics of those matching the pattern indicated.
Will MacLean is co-author of the Clinical Handbook of Internal Medicine series, and practices Chinese medicine in Australia.