Traditional Chinese medicine has a long and complex history, yet the basic principles at the heart of practice remain, and are just as important today. Without a solid grounding in these basic theories, effective practice cannot take place, and this book provides a complete introduction to everything that practitioners, both new and experienced, need to know. The authors outline all of the fundamental theories of the TCM approach, including yin/yang, the five elements, the zang and fu organs, Zang Xiang, Qi and the meridians and collaterals of the body. Explaining the basic principles upon which these elements work, and how they interrelate, the authors describe how they can be used to identify, treat and prevent ill-health and disease. This thorough and accessible book, compiled by the China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center (CBIATC), is essential reading for students of traditional Chinese medicine, and will also be a useful basic reference for TCM practitioners. Although the lucidity of this textbook would have been even more leveraged in the first few years of my OM studies, I find its clarity of context heady refreshment as I am approaching the end of my third decade of practice. Author: OMJ the simple descriptions of these ideas are very helpful to a novice and would underpin a much more advanced study of TCM syndromes. Author: The JAACP (The Journal of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists) Combining practical instruction with detailed theory, this authoritative textbook, complied by the China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center (CBIATC), under the editorial direction of leading Chinese clinicians Zhu Bing and Wang Hongcai, is an excellent reference for students and practitioners at all levels... Although modest in size, these texts are packed with information... in terms of portability and cost... they make themselves serious contenders for the college bags of students of Chinese medicine... In terms of visual presentation, other than the obligatory yin-yang and five-phase diagrams, assistance is limited to a few flow diagrams, which may disappoint more visually-orientated learners. This drawback is largely compensated for by the consistent use of clear tables that facilitate both learning and quick reference. Despite the drawback of the simplification inherent in such texts, some of the chapters are excellent. The chapter on emotions and elements in Basic Theories, for example, is particularly good, as is the chapter on bianzheng in the Diagnostic volume. The chapters on pulse and tongue are also well-written, and designed for quick navigation to allow mere seconds to access, for example, the description and significance of a tense pulse or a grey tongue coating. As such... These texts offer simple, portable, concise and well-structured information that is consistent with the TCM literature already available. On occasion, refreshingly original insights come from the teaching experience of the authors. Whilst this series does not necessarily offer an educational panacea, it may just offer what is missing on the market - an affordable, accurate and accessible series of texts written specifically for a Western mindset and understanding. If the rest of this series of text books are as good as the two reviewed here (Diagnostic of Chinese Medicine and Basic Theories of Chinese Medicine), Singing Dragon Textbooks will definitely become part of the recommended reading of Chinese medicine courses; student in the early stages of their TCM studies o those that require a fresh angle or portable material for revision should certainly consider buying them. Author: Journal of Chinese Medicine, Greg Meier Although the lucidity of this textbook would have been even more leveraged in the first few years of my OM studies, I find its clarity of context heady refreshment as I am approaching the end of my third decade of practice. Author: Frank Yurasek Ph. D (China), MSOM, MA, LAc, Oriental Medicine Journal A solid grounding in everything students and practitioners need to know about the heart of TCM practice Wang Hongcai teaches at the China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center (CBIATC), an organisation founded in 1975 at the request of the World Health Organisation. CBIATC has a prestigious reputation as one of the world's leading training organisations in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Zhu Bing teaches at the China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center (CBIATC), an organisation founded in 1975 at the request of the World Health Organisation. CBIATC has a prestigious reputation as one of the world's leading training organisations in Traditional Chinese Medicine.