More than fifteen years after its first publication, this book, widely recognised as a reference in the teaching of Chinese medicine, remains groundbreaking and unique. It presents the very foundations of the discipline, knowledge of which is essential to understanding its theoretical and practical expositions.

A specialist in traditional China, particularly in classical language and thought as well as in the medical field, Élisabeth Rochat de la Vallée offers here an original approach to Chinese medicine.

Each key notion (qi, breath; xie, blood; ba gang, diagnosis…) is treated across a double-page spread: on one side, the study of the Chinese character, its etymology, its graphic form and the meanings it carries in classical Chinese; on the other, the meanings and uses of this notion in the context of Chinese medicine. The two sides refer to one another and weave a coherent landscape that shows, in accessible terms, what the major texts of medicine speak of.

A reference work for beginner acupuncturists, experienced practitioners and all enthusiasts of Chinese medicine.