This book is a great introductory guide to Chinese Patent Medicines. It covers more than 200 patent formulas and provides detailed information on individual ingredients and actions, common usage and dosage information. For example: you're treating someone with common cold. The book lists 10 patent formulas for common cold with descriptions/indications for each formula such as: Ge Gen Wan for wind-cold type common cold with stiff neck - or Yin Qiao for wind-heat type with sore throat and fever or the standard Gan Mao Ling. This book is a great reference for beginners or for practitioners. It is also a necessity if you prescribe Plum Flower teapills. For example if you want to prescribe Jin Gu Die Sheng Wan for traumatic injury - the Plum Flower name would be The Great Mender. - from Amzon