He Bian, "Know Your Remedies: Pharmacy and Culture in Early Modern China" (Princeton UP, 2020)He Bian, "Know Your Remedies: Pharmacy and Culture in Early Modern China" (Princeton UP, 2020)
New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery
Bian offers a beautiful cultural history of pharmacy in early modern China..
1:23:34•2 Jul 2020
The Evolution of Pharmacy in Early Modern China with He Bian
“Cultural history simply doesn't believe in dynastic boundaries. And I mean that figuratively and literally...”
Have you ever wondered how pharmacy practices evolved in early modern China? In this episode of 'New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery', host Sarah Bramao-Ramos chats with Professor He Bian about her fascinating book, 'Know Your Remedies: Pharmacy and Culture in Early Modern China'. The conversation dives into the rich cultural history of pharmacy during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
You'll learn about the shift from state-commissioned pharmacopeias to amateur investigations and how natural history transitioned away from medical contexts. The episode also explores the commercialization and monetization of medicine, long-distance trade, and the flourishing of empires. Professor Bian introduces listeners to intriguing bencao (materia medica) and makes a strong case for viewing Chinese history through the lens of pharmacy. She and Sarah also discuss the ongoing false dichotomy between Chinese tradition and Western modernity.
This episode is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the history of medicine, early modern China, or the fascinating stories behind strange remedies and the people who dispensed them.
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