Best chinese medicine books according to redditors

We found 42 Reddit comments discussing the best chinese medicine books. We ranked the 26 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.

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Top Reddit comments about Chinese Medicine:

u/-1--1- · 14 pointsr/acupuncture

What you're asking for is covered over the course of several semester/quarters in schooling. You need to know the anatomy of the human body, point functions, point locations, cautions and/or contraindications of the points, point combinations (which is related to several more classes including meridian theory), acupuncture techniques (of which there are many), clean needle technique (how to properly set up a work space), etc. It's not simply a matter of "stimulate point X to treat symptom Y", you need to understand the why and the how to be as efficient and effective as possible. There's a reason why most programs take a minimum of 3-4 years (and honestly are basically just laying the foundation for what will ultimately be a lifetime of learning, and even then you won't learn it all).

Before all else, you need to lay down your foundation (which is what the first 1-2 years of schooling is). If you want a decent starting point to help you understand the medicine better before schooling (or even during) I'd recommend The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk. That should give you an idea of the depth and interconnection of everything that goes in to this medicine. After that, you can decide for yourself how deep into this you want to get.

u/ardhanarisvara · 7 pointsr/ChineseMedicine

Most people and schools would probably recommend you start with Ted Kaptchuk's The web that has no weaver. Instead I prefer to breakdown my recommendation depending on whom is asking, and why. For patients who want to learn more about CM for diy health purposes, I recommend Legget's book which is 40% TCM theory explanation, and 60% application of those theories to everyday diet. For potential students, I recommend this translation of a first-year textbook for CM students in China, by the excellent Nigel Wiseman. For those interested in the more esoteric theoreticals of CM, I recommend anything by Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee.

And, for anyone really interested in reading "oldest and most enduring book" in Chinese Medicine - which should be every student and practitioner of CM - I would suggest a good translation of the Huangdi neijing. Note my emphasis on a good translation, which sadly excludes the Veith and Ni editions, both of which are quite terrible. If you can get past the dubious biomedical equivalencies he likes to make,Y.C. Kong's translation is composed of important textual excerpts neatly arranged by topic, making it both cheaper and more beginner-friendly than the Unschuld translation.

u/CruzinUSA · 5 pointsr/AskReddit

>Girls are Yang...
>Cold/Yang

Don't you mean Yin? Female and Cold are both Yin qualities.

For those that would like a deeper understanding of what /u/Corn__ is talking about this site covers it fairly well. As a disclaimer, this is Traditional Chinese Medicine and will be very foreign from a Western perspective. They view things VERY differently and you will not find empirical evidence on that website supporting their claims. However, there are tons of literature regarding this topic and if you're so inclined I'd suggest The Web That Has No Weaver. It explains TCM Theory and has an appendix filled with sources for all your fact checking needs.

u/Youarethebigbang · 4 pointsr/ChineseMedicine

I am a beginner as well, but I will share the books I'm working my way through. They are not necessarily all beginner books as they range from general overviews to very thorough reference manuals. I hope you find something on the list that helps.

Most have Kindle samples you can download if you use Amazon.



Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F8FA6ZG/


The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XAZ625E/


The New Chinese Medicine Handbook https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0179ZS8R0/


The Spark in the Machine: How the Science of Acupuncture Explains the Mysteries of Western Medicine
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ICS8MIE/


The Healer Within: Using Traditional Chinese Techniques To Release Your Body's Own Medicine Movement Massage Meditation Breathing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D184QVW/


Optimal Healing: A Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine https://www.amazon.com/dp/0979948495/





Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition (3rd Edition) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1556434308/


Recipes for Self Healing https://www.amazon.com/dp/0952464020/


The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs https://www.amazon.com/dp/0446675067/


The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing https://www.amazon.com/dp/0345421094/


Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine: Zhong Yi Xue Ji Chu (Paradigm title) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0912111445/


Secrets of Self-Healing: Harness Nature's Power to Heal Common Ailments, Boost Your Vitality,and Achieve Optimum Wellness https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZJY5X4/


The Acupuncture Handbook: How Acupuncture Works and How it Can Help You https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GW4MG3W/


The Chinese Way to Healing: Many Paths to Wholeness https://www.amazon.com/dp/0595399509/


Acupuncture Points Handbook: A Patient's Guide to the Locations and Functions of over 400 Acupuncture Points https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D35N6SJ/


The Root of Chinese Qigong: Secrets of Health, Longevity, & Enlightenment https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FIICLXC/


Chinese Medical Herbology & Pharmacology https://www.amazon.com/dp/0974063509/


Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0939616424/





Finally, here's a few books by Mantak Chia that are profound, enlightening, vulgar, dangerous, or just aweful, depending on who you ask. I haven't read any of them but they made my list for some reason just to check out. I have a feeling he's an author people very much either like or dislike:

Chi Self-Massage: The Taoist Way of Rejuvenation https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594771103/


Awaken Healing Through the Tao: The Taoist Secret of Circulating Internal Power https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NGTUSV4/


Awaken Healing Light of the Tao https://www.amazon.com/dp/0935621466/


Healing Light of the Tao: Foundational Practices to Awaken Chi Energy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004J4WM6S/

u/haladura · 4 pointsr/ChineseMedicine

I was fortunate, while in school, to come across this text (https://www.amazon.com/Tongue-Lingual-Coatings-Chinese-Medicine/dp/B0000EH2KR/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1541863665&sr=8-15&keywords=tongue+diagnosis+in+chinese+medicine) with about 275 tongue images.

​

And really as far as 'in practice' is concerned you need to look at a lot of tongues. When I was first learning, with everyone I met, it was, "Hi, how are you, may I see your tongue and feel your pulse?" I mean for years. Not just healthy people, see if you can go to retirement homes, homeless shelters, other places where people, alas, won't be in the best health. Talk to your teachers/ mentors, etc. If you are on this path, you will need the help of others to learn how to help others. A quick google search found several good articles:

https://www.sacredlotus.com/go/diagnosis-chinese-medicine/get/tongue-diagnosis-chinese-medicine

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http://www.giovanni-maciocia.com/tonguegallery/ - Maciocia's book is considered good, but has few pictures

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This one (https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Tongue-Diagnostics-Chinese-Medicine/dp/1717777058/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1541863665&sr=8-13&keywords=tongue+diagnosis+in+chinese+medicine) looks interesting, but it's only 121 pages at $124. Which doesn't seem right.

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http://www.acupunctureandherbalmedicine.com/the-four-examinations-part-2-tongue-diagnosis-in-chinese-medicine/

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http://www.acupunctureandherbalmedicine.com/the-four-examinations-part-2-tongue-diagnosis-in-chinese-medicine/

u/Sherlockian_Holmes · 3 pointsr/Semenretention

No evidence, in other words. Robert Morse is overweight and probably has metabolic syndrome (by the look of it with significant abdominal obesity) and diagnoses people using iridology, which also doesn't make any sense.

If you want diet advice, look to the Chinese (and Daoist) or indian medical systems like Ayurveda. I prefer Daoist. Healing With Whole Foods is pretty good and balanced. Same with Tao of Healthy Eating.

As one of the reviews aptly describes,

>"I had an earlier edition of this book and it wasn't as extensive or well-written. This edition is excellent. For anyone who has injured themselves from eating too many cold, damp, raw fruits and vegetables from a vegetarian or vegan diet, this book explains why your digestion is a mess and what to do about it. I feel better already and have lost 5 pounds."

Just my two cents.

u/CoreyB105 · 3 pointsr/AlternativeHealth

Qi, depending on which Asian culture your are talking about, is essentially your vital life force energy, it is created in a person once the parents form a zygote and it is ever flowing throughout your meridians. One book gives a pretty good introductory on Asian medicine is "The Web Without a Weaver" http://www.amazon.com/The-Web-That-Weaver-Understanding/dp/0809228408/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396175519&sr=8-1& keywords=the+web+with+no+weaver

u/StellarStrut · 3 pointsr/endometriosis

From what I understand a hysterectomy is not recommended unless you also suffer from adenomyosis. I recommended joining Nancy's Nook on facebook. There's a lot of info there and recommendations for an endo specialist. It looks like hysterectomies are not a cure. Some people recommend a keto diet for fertility issues. https://store.storkotc.com/products/the-stork-otc?gclid=CNzYveLhstACFYERgQod9YoLjg&id=1000019-2 Stork is an in-home alternative before trying IVF. I have a friend who works at the Mayo Clinic that uses acupuncture to help women with fertility issues. She has recommended this book too. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000SEHRO0/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_tCZmybPG16K19 I haven't tried any of these suggestions for getting pregnant because I'm not sure I want any children but hopefully some of this info works for you!

u/NeverSophos · 3 pointsr/selfimprovement

As mentioned about Carnegie is a must. Otherwise I'd recommend King, Warrior, Magician, Lover, Staying Healthy with the Seasons (some of the nutrition info is out dated but the core of the book is still great), The Book of Five Rings.

u/mbk-ultra · 3 pointsr/ChineseMedicine

I never really enjoyed reading The Web that Has No Weaver or Between Heaven and Earth. A fairly light, easy read that I think is a pretty damn decent introduction for lay people is Wood Becomes Water:

https://www.amazon.com/Wood-Becomes-Water-Medicine-Everyday/dp/1568362099/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517792067&sr=8-1&keywords=wood+becomes+water

u/Natethegreat13 · 2 pointsr/China

http://www.amazon.com/Principles-Chinese-Herbal-Medicine-Singing/dp/1848191332


This short book gave me a good insight. Its written by an English guy and it covers the concept in a very basic way. I enjoyed learning a bit about why they believe what they do. It actually made more sense than i was expecting.

u/MedDog · 2 pointsr/JordanPeterson

Ted Kaptchuk's book I've found to be a good intro, but there are lots of good online encyclopedic resources on various schools and subsystems. It is also worth reading up an ancient Chinese philosophy and metaphysics in general though, as it all grows from the same source.

I remember Weil talking about how he was tripping on acid while petting a cat and realized he was supposed to be allergic.

Yeah that's really weird. Although lab values of K fluctuate a lot, you'd have to be sure that you're tracking things carefully. I can't comment on intracellular level labs, but these levels also vary substantially with hydration, glucose/insulin levels, and even sun exposure if certain theories are to be believed. You have to know cortisol levels too to get an idea of adrenal function generally. You mentioned T was low too? Perhaps the problem is higher up the HPA axis. Renin levels are quite sensitive to sodium intake, so that's a consideration. It would also be necessary to rule out a potassium-wasting renal acidosis (although unlikely, could be a mild subclinical form, and would explain the labs somewhat) - urine electrolytes are important to know.

Barring a significant renal and endocrine workup (again, not knowing anything else about the patient), symptomatic hypotension would be the only thing to be concerned about. A lot of traditional herbs for "potency," like ginseng, have a mineralocorticoid-like effect (among others). In the Soviet Union, Eluthercoccus aka "Siberian Ginseng" was widely prescribed as an "adaptogen" for any kind of stressor (pioneering work done by Israel Brekhman - some stuff can be found in English) and for "asthenia" of any kind. It's great for patients with pan-hypopituitarism.

I will add that one should never replete potassium without adding magnesium, and that's known even to astute conventional docs working the hospital. Same holds true chronically, especially in regards to whole-body stores. Personally I take Mg glycinate - it's cheap online in bulk, tastes good, and is allegedly relaxing.

u/slightlyoffki · 2 pointsr/kungfu

I rather like Shou-Yu Liang's books, particularly Qigong Empowerment and Kung Fu Elements. Some of the qigong stuff is a little over the top but a lot of the material is quite helpful and the books are really comprehensive. Kung Fu Elements, among other things, has an appendix that lists most major styles of Kung Fu, it is among the few I've been able to find in modern texts.

u/remedylanecm · 2 pointsr/ChineseMedicine

This is the best book https://www.amazon.com/Foundations-Theory-Ancient-Chinese-Medicine/dp/1848192622

I haven't read Between Heaven and Earth. The Web That Has No Weaver is good but dated.

u/AThinkerNamedChip · 2 pointsr/everymanshouldknow

Here is the book.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-System-Self-Healing-Exercises/dp/0942196066

Many years ago I had a condition that was rare, and almost took me out. I truly believe the techniques in this book helped fix some of the internal problems and once learned give you a much better view of yourself and how you work.

u/appleflap · 1 pointr/Health

Good nutrition is a bit of a minefield since there is no right diet, what one person will thrive on may well be harmful for another, some people will need animal products to be healthy and others can easily do without etc etc. I have found that eating more of certain foods and avoiding certain others has reduced my food intake as an unintended side effect. Healthy eating will likely save you money!

Highly recommmend reading this book, its a real eye-opener on nutrition and the recipes at the back are simple, tasty and very cost-effective. There are torrents out there but well worth having this close at hand

http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Whole-Foods-Traditions-Nutrition/dp/1556434715/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

Good luck!

u/YunTaiji · 1 pointr/occult

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Qigong-Empowerment-Medical-Taoist-Buddhist-Cultivation/dp/1889659029/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1458328146&sr=8-21&keywords=qigong
Very good book and very detailed. I would suggest reading this books as it contains many schools of qigong. I personally have this books and its very nice.

u/ReiKoroshiya · 1 pointr/outside

Some players in the [taoist] guild put together a nice Skillbook in healing the majority of ailments, including the eyesight debuff.
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-System-Self-Healing-Internal-Exercises/dp/0942196066/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

u/Parasamgate · 1 pointr/altmed

Alternative medicine means a lot of different things.

Here are two books on Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Easily Accessible

More in depth

u/aurinotari · 1 pointr/ChineseMedicine

You might be interested in Dragon Rises Red Bird Flies by Leon Hammer, M.D. It's a book about psychology and Chinese medicine. Dr. Hammer was a practicing psychiatrist and psychoanalyst for many years before he began studying and practicing Chinese medicine. Gives many interesting insights based on his personal experience.
DRRBF

u/ZombieKitty · 1 pointr/harrypotter

I'm currently studying Traditional Chinese Medicine, and herbology is one of the branches of TCM. Materia Medica is where its at.

u/wilfred23 · 1 pointr/NoFap

various herbs but he shou wu is one of the best to focus on at the start to heal the kidneys and raise your 'yin jing'. iherb stock 'dragon herbs' brand which are the gold standard and it's important to use the best quality herbs you can get. 'he shou wu' and 'shou wu forumulation' would be the ones to go for and a couple of bottles won't break the bank. i'd try one/both of these products, but you need to use it a few months & beyond as it builds-replenishes energy gradually. after a while you introduce more yang tonics, but yin jing is the deepest energy that fapping will have worn down.

i'd also recommend their 'spring dragon tea' (calming) 'heaven mountain goji berries' (yin boosting) and 'ginseng sublime' (overall strength-yang building) as other supplements you could start off with. all on iherb again.

he shou wu http://www.iherb.com/Dragon-Herbs-He-Shou-Wu-500-mg-100-Veggie-Caps/22359

shou wu formulation http://www.iherb.com/Dragon-Herbs-Shou-Wu-Formulation-500-mg-100-Veggie-Caps/23258

ant essence http://www.iherb.com/product-reviews/Dragon-Herbs-Ant-Essence-500-mg-100-Veggie-Caps/21546 (same as the shou wu formula but with 50% ant - more powerful & higher in zinc)

primal yin replenisher http://www.iherb.com/Dragon-Herbs-Primal-Yin-Replenisher-500-mg-100-Veggie-Caps/23131 (another higher powered yin formula)

The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs by Ron Teeguarden http://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Wisdom-Chinese-Tonic-Herbs/dp/0446675067 (essential reading if you want to know more about the 'superior' tonic herbs)

hope that's useful :)

u/myturtleflys · 0 pointsr/Fitness