Dr. Hsien-Cheh Chang

Academic Contributions

• Published Papers: 41 journal articles and 57 conference papers.

• Research Projects: Principal Investigator for 19 specialized research projects funded by the National Science Council, the Department of Health (now MOHW), and the Council of Agriculture.

• TCM Monographs Published:

  • (A) Sole or First Author: 11 books.

  • (B) Second Author, etc.: 5 books.

  • (C) Involved in the editing of TCM works published in Mainland China and Hong Kong: 2 books.

Service to the TCM Department at China Medical University

1. Established 18 TCM material teaching light boxes, containing over 1,300 types of Chinese medicinal materials.

2. Created an Amusing Memorization Method for Formulas and Herbs (方藥趣記法); its English translation is expected to be a shortcut for learning TCM formulas and herbs in Europe and America.

3. His masterpiece, the Illustrated Guide to Authentic Medicinal Materials (Dao Di Yao Cai Tu Jian), a six-volume, A4-sized set, created a sensation both domestically and internationally.

4. Developed a “Computer Analysis Program for TCM Classics and Literature,” personally funding computer engineers to write the analysis program.

Post-Retirement Activities

After retiring, Dr. Chang continued to assist various international organizations, including:

• The Paradium Publication in the U.S. and major American TCM colleges (on the TCM teaching improvement panel).

• The Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Council (as a member of the editing committee for TCM standard products).

• Hong Kong Baptist University.

• Khon Kaen University in Thailand.

He also collaborated with several American TCM experts to translate his renowned work, the Illustrated Guide to Authentic Medicinal Materials, into English. Utilizing his TCM expertise and fluent English, he continues to serve the public and contribute to society, expanding TCM education internationally. He is truly a scholar who never ceases to work.

Book Introduction: Illustrated Guide to Authentic Medicinal Materials

The Preservation of Heluo TCM Culture

The Cultural Revolution in Mainland China many years ago resulted in a significant loss of traditional, high-quality, authentic medicinal material identification expertise. Fortunately, this profound foundation of Heluo TCM culture was preserved intact in Taiwan. Dr. Chang, working from black hair to white, spent over three decades interviewing, investigating, photographing, and collecting this precious knowledge, effectively writing history with photographs.

The Dedicated Research Process

To prevent the loss of this valuable identification knowledge, the author dedicated over 30 years to exploring the transmission of traditional TCM experiential identification. This included:

• Traveling across the island, conducting on-site investigations and interviews at pharmacies.

• Collecting data from old masters and documenting the oral accounts and field records of seasoned veterans.

• Gathering the ancient, living, oral knowledge passed down from master to apprentice, including the secret skills, subtleties (mei jiao), and specialized terminology used by masters to distinguish high-quality medicinal materials.

Photography and Documentation

Dr. Chang hired professional photographers, and over 22 years of meticulous shooting, he selected over three thousand photos from more than thirty thousand, which accurately capture the critical characteristics, colors, textures, and quality of the medicinal materials.