Useful explanatory notes describe the structure and contents of the book, the structure of Traditional Chinese Medicine names, the practices used to describe and name plants and animals, and the methodology used to describe Chinese words that are difficult to precisely translate into English. Following the explanatory notes are three major sections. Part I, Chemical Compounds in Traditional Chinese Medicines, describes 6,808 compounds found in the substances used for medicinal purposes in China and comprises the bulk of the volume. Each entry is arranged alphabetically by chemical name and includes a diagram of the chemical structure, molecular formula, molecular weight, source of the chemical, and a reference to the Chinese scientific literature where the chemical was first identified. Part II, Natural Sources, Effects and Indications of Traditional Chinese Medicines, lists 1,268 medications alphabetically by their English name.
Entries can be imprecise and include plants, plant parts, and animal-derived medicines.
For example, Garden Lettuce is an entry but there is no entry or cross-reference under Lettuce. Wind impediment, rabid dog bite, nosebleed, sore in lower body. Part III includes indices that cross-reference traditional Chinese medicines by Chinese name, English name and Latin name. Unfortunately, these indices do not refer the reader to page numbers in parts I or II making it impossible to find the chemical compounds that produce the alleged medicinal effects of medicines such as dog's hearts. Thus, while it is possible to trace a named chemical compound through its Chinese and English names to reach notes about effects and symptoms, it is not possible to follow the reverse path.