A Little Encyclopedia of Lingnan Chinese Medicine

Amid its distinctive geographical and climatic environment, the Lingnan region has nurtured a unique body of wisdom in Traditional Chinese Medicine along with its historical evolution.
Starting from Lingnan’s local customs and eating habits, this book guides readers into the world of Chinese medicine, allowing traditional knowledge to be carried forward into the new generation!

Advisors
Professor CHEN Hubiao
He is a Professor and serves as Associate Director of Teaching and Research Division, Programme Director of Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) in Chinese Medicine, Director of Research Centre for Standardization of Chinese Medicines at Hong Kong Baptist University. He also serves as a Collaborative Professor at Kanazawa University in Japan.
His main research areas include medicinal plants, Chinese medicinal resources as well as the evaluation and quality control of Chinese medicine. He has published over 260 research papers and edited more than 30 publications, including Chinese Medicinal Plants: An Illustrated Approach, Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica, An Illustrated Microscopic Identification of Chinese Materia Medica, Comprehensive Illustrated Guide to Chinese Herbal Medicine and Illustrated Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.
He has led the “Digitalization of Chinese Medicine Project” and established websites including Medicinal Plant Images Database, Chinese Medicinal Material Images Database, Phytochemical Image Database and Chinese Medicine Formulae Images Database.
Dr. YEUNG Kanlou
Widely known as “Hong Kong’s Lingnan Herbalist”, Dr. YEUNG is the Lead Instructor of the Lingnan Chinese Herbal Medicine Application programme at HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education, as well as the Chairman of the Hong Kong Herbal Study Tour Association（香港草藥遊學會）.
He graduated from the 23rd General Practice Programme and the 10th Graduate Programme at Ching Wah College of TCM in Hong Kong, studying under Professor CHEUNG Siucheong, former Chief Executive of Tung Wah Hospital, and renowned contemporary herbal medicine expert Professor LI Ninghan.
Dr. YEUNG has devoted nearly fifty years to the study of Lingnan medicinal herbs in Hong Kong, developing unique insights into local herbal habitats and their application to treating complex and difficult clinical conditions. His recent works include The Applications of Lingnan Folk Herbal Medicine.

Compiler
QI Sihao
A native Cantonese born and raised in Hong Kong as well as an enthusiast of Traditional Chinese Medicine culture. From infancy, she has been cared for with Chinese medicine and drugs. Later, she had worked as an Editor of medicine and health publications for multiple years.

Publication Note：
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Chinese medication are important parts of traditional Chinese culture. Upholding the principle of “adapting to the three conditions of time, place and individual”, they safeguard the health of Chinese people for generations and stand as the treasures of our culture. Lingnan medicine, characterized by its distinct regional features integrating folk wisdom with medical innovations and blending traditional Chinese medical science with local specialties, has gradually taken shape in the Lingnan area along with its historical development, leveraging on the region’s unique
geographical and climatic conditions.
Hong Kong, located on China’s southeast coast, borders Guangdong Province to the north and faces the South China Sea to the south. Geographically, it belongs to the Lingnan region. During the early British colonial period, Hong Kong residents primarily relied on TCM for medical treatment. With the development of the social healthcare system, most people now seek Western medicine, but TCM concepts have long been integrated into our daily life. For example, the soups and herbal teas enjoyed by every household, massage and naprapathy as well as the tai chi and Baduanjin exercises all
originated from TCM.
Since Hong Kong’s return to China, local TCM services, education and research have been continuously advancing, boosting public confidence in TCM. Exchanges and cooperation between TCM and Western medicine have also flourished. TCM has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in diagnosis and treatment, particularly during the SARS and COVID-19 pandemic periods, bringing Lingnan TCM culture back under the spotlight. With the phased opening of the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong by the end of 2025, the city’s first TCM-focused hospital, the standards and development of TCM are expected to reach new levels, further promoting TCM’s global outreach.
This book aims to help young people understand Lingnan TCM and its close connection to our daily life. Starting with Lingnan’s local conditions, it introduces the development of Lingnan medicine, common Chinese drugs and renowned Lingnan TCM practitioners honoured as “Grandmasters of TCM”（國醫大師） and “National Famous Chinese Medicine Practitioners”（全國名中醫）, to showcase the outstanding achievements of Lingnan TCM.
We are honoured to have Professor CHEN Hubiao, Professor of the Teaching and Research Division and BPhram Programme Director at the School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, and Dr. YEUNG Kanlou, Lead Instructor of the Lingnan Chinese Herbal Medicine Application programme at HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education, as advisors to review the content of Chinese edition.
It is our sincere hope that this book will spark young people’s curiosity about the world of TCM and inspire them to actively explore this vast field further.

Publication Note ........................... 2
Chapter 1
Lingnan's Local Conditions........................... 6
Where is Lingnan? ........................... 7
Lingnan’s Population ........................... 11
Chapter 2
Lingnan's Products and Eating Habits ........................... 16
Lingnan’s Agricultural Crops........................... 17
Lingnan’s Aquatic Products........................... 22
Lingnan’s Traditional Eating Habits ........................... 25
Modern Eating Habits........................... 27
Food Therapy........................... 29
Chapter 3
Lingnan Medicine ........................... 30
Lingnan Medical Science........................... 31
The Causes of Illnesses ........................... 34
Everyone is Unique........................... 36
Common Illnesses in Lingnan........................... 38
The TCM Principle of "Adapting to the Three Conditions"........................... 52
Lingnan’s Authentic Medicinal Materials ........................... 54
Chapter 4
Famous Lingnan
TCM Practitioners........................... 75
Famous Lingnan TCM Practitioners in History ........................... 76
Chapter 5
Lingnan's Dietary Health Preservation: Slow-simmered Soups and Herbal Teas........................... 121
The Concept of Dietary Health Preservation........................... 122
Lingnan Herbal Teas........................... 124
Soups and Congees........................... 129
Conclusion ........................... 136
References........................... 138