Yellow Emperor‘s External Canon of Medicine (English-Chinese Edition): Li Zhaoguo’s Translation of the 81-Chapter Classic

You may have read the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon. But you probably haven't heard of its legendary counterpart — the External Canon.

According to the Book of Han, the Inner Canon had 18 volumes; the External Canon had 37 — nearly double the size.-Yet after the Han Dynasty, it vanished from historical records. For nearly two millennia, scholars searched in vain.

Then in the 1950s, a library in Tianjin discovered a transmitted version among the papers of Ming Dynasty scholar Chen Shiduo. Most scholars now believe this text was reconstructed by Ming-era physicians who wove together scattered fragments from ancient sources with the medical knowledge of their time.-

The book contains 9 volumes and 81 chapters, structured as dialogues between the Yellow Emperor and his ministers. It systematically explores yin-yang, life cycles, reproduction, organ systems, meridians, therapeutic principles, seasonal rhythms, and more — providing a deep theoretical foundation for Chinese medical diagnosis and treatment.-While the Inner Canon focuses on treating illness, the External Canon emphasizes Daoist approaches to longevity and harmony with nature. It opens a different window into Chinese medical thought.

• TCM students & practitioners: A perfect companion to the Inner Canon that completes your theoretical framework.

• Acupuncturists & naturopaths: Chapters on meridian pathways and therapeutic principles translate directly into clinical practice.

• Overseas TCM schools & educators: Bilingual layout with accurate, fluent English — ideal for classroom use and academic citation.

• Daoist philosophy & Eastern culture enthusiasts: Rich in Daoist thought, offering deep insight into traditional Chinese views on life and health.

• Collectors: A hardcover edition with 631 pages — a handsome addition to any bookshelf.