Here is a practical guide to the common herbs, spices and foods - many found in ordinary kitchens and supermarkets - that have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.Chinese medicine is one of the oldest healing arts in the world, representing thousands of years of empirical wisdom. While Westerners have recently become fascinated with exotic treatments such as acupuncture, few are familiar with the wealth of traditional remedies that are based on common food substances widely available to the layman. Unlike many modern drugs, these traditional Chinese remedies have stood the test of time and have proved effective over generations.Delicate line drawings accompany the descriptions as an aid in identifying the plants, and recent Chinese clinical reports, wherever available, are included, as are instructions on how to avoid or mitigate any toxic effects.With its comprehensive and accessible references, this is a practical sourcebook for anyone interested in the history and uses of medicinal plants.