Li Shizhen, ‘Medical Saint’ of China (Part 2)

A statue of Li Shizhen.

Li Shizhen, the renowned physician of the Ming dynasty, described Chinese red dates in his classic writing the 'Compendium of Materia Medica' as sweet in taste, mild in nature, and can replenish energy and nourish the blood. (Image: Snowyowls via Wikimedia Commons)

Li Shizhen, ‘Medical Saint’ of China (Part 1)

Five different plant ingredients used in Traditional Chinese Medicine sit in piles on a table.

China's 'Medical Saint' Li Shizhen spent nearly 30 years recording information on herbs and drugs, accurately classifying thousands of medicines in his masterpiece of Chinese pharmacology, the 'Compendium of Materia Medica.' (Image: Huang Quanrong via Dreamstime)