# Li Shizhen

> Chinese polymath and scientist (1517-1593)

**Wikidata**: [Q698925](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q698925)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_Shizhen)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/li-shizhen

## Summary
Li Shizhen was a Chinese polymath and scientist (1517–1593) who made significant contributions to medicine, particularly in the field of herbal medicine. He is best known for compiling the *Compendium of Materia Medica*, a foundational work in traditional Chinese herbology that remains a key reference in Chinese medicine today.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1517 (exact location not specified)
- **Nationality**: Chinese
- **Education**: Trained in traditional Chinese medicine and herbology
- **Known for**: Compiling the *Compendium of Materia Medica*, a comprehensive encyclopedia of medicinal herbs
- **Employer(s)**: Served as a physician and scholar in the Ming dynasty
- **Field(s)**: Medicine, botany, pharmacology

## Contributions
- **Compendium of Materia Medica (1596)**: A monumental work that cataloged over 1,800 medicinal herbs, their properties, and therapeutic uses. It became the standard reference for Chinese herbal medicine and influenced later medical practices.
- **Advancements in Chinese Herbology**: Li Shizhen’s work expanded the understanding of medicinal plants, contributing to the development of traditional Chinese medicine as a scientific discipline.

## FAQs
- **What was Li Shizhen’s most famous work?** Li Shizhen’s most famous work was the *Compendium of Materia Medica*, a comprehensive encyclopedia of medicinal herbs that remains a foundational text in Chinese medicine.
- **In which dynasty did Li Shizhen live?** Li Shizhen lived during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), a period of significant cultural and scientific achievement in China.
- **What field did Li Shizhen specialize in?** Li Shizhen specialized in medicine, particularly in the study of medicinal herbs and their therapeutic applications.
- **How did Li Shizhen contribute to Chinese medicine?** Li Shizhen contributed to Chinese medicine by compiling the *Compendium of Materia Medica*, which became a key reference for herbal medicine and influenced later medical practices.

## Why They Matter
Li Shizhen’s *Compendium of Materia Medica* remains a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine, providing a systematic and evidence-based approach to herbal therapy. His work laid the groundwork for modern Chinese pharmacology and continues to be studied and referenced by practitioners and researchers today. Without Li Shizhen’s contributions, the field of Chinese herbal medicine would lack a foundational text that organizes and standardizes the use of medicinal plants.

## Notable For
- **Author of the *Compendium of Materia Medica***: A landmark work in Chinese medicine that cataloged over 1,800 medicinal herbs.
- **Pioneer of Chinese Herbology**: Expanded the understanding of medicinal plants and their therapeutic applications.
- **Influence on Traditional Medicine**: His work remains a key reference in Chinese medicine, shaping herbal therapy practices for centuries.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Li Shizhen was born in 1517 and received training in traditional Chinese medicine and herbology. His early education laid the foundation for his later contributions to the field.

### Career and Contributions
Li Shizhen served as a physician and scholar during the Ming dynasty, where he compiled the *Compendium of Materia Medica*. This work, completed in 1596, became a comprehensive encyclopedia of medicinal herbs, detailing their properties and therapeutic uses. His research expanded the understanding of medicinal plants and influenced the development of Chinese herbal medicine as a scientific discipline.

### Legacy
Li Shizhen’s *Compendium of Materia Medica* remains a foundational text in traditional Chinese medicine, providing a systematic and evidence-based approach to herbal therapy. His work continues to be studied and referenced by practitioners and researchers, ensuring its lasting impact on the field.

## References

1. China Biographical Database
2. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20170101-links.txt.gz)
3. Japan Search
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. Integrated Authority File
7. Open Library
8. SNAC
9. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
10. BnF authorities
11. Korean Authority File
12. Trove
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. Czech National Authority Database
15. IdRef
16. BBC Things
17. CERL Thesaurus