Chang Chung Ching [Zhang Zhongjing] is the most famous of
China's ancient herbal doctors. He is known for his book, which
was later divided into two parts: Shang Han Lun and Chin Kuei
Yao Lueh [Jin Gui Yao Lue]. In particular, the section known as
the Shang Han Lun became the fundamental text for all traditional
herb prescribing. Not only did it contain over 100 effective formulas
(many of them still used today), but the text implied a theoretical
framework that led to hundreds of books analyzing, explaining,
and reforming it. The other section is best known for some of
the formulas, such as the gynecological remedy Tang-kuei and Peony
Formula [Danggui Shaoyao San] which is today applied to infertility,
disorders during pregnancy, prevention of miscarriage, and post-partum
weakness. His work might have been lost had it not been for the
efforts of Wang Shu-Ho.
