Li Shizhen is one of the greatest Chinese herbalists and acupuncturists in history. His major contribution to medicine was his 27-year work, which is found in his epic book the Bencao Gangmu. He is also considered to be the greatest naturalist of China
Education
At age 14, Li Shizhen took the Imperial exams at the county level and passed. Unfortunately, when he went on to the national level examinations three years later, he repeatedly failed (three times) and eventually gave up that goal, but not for several more years. Under his father’s guidance, he continued to study the classics and plan for a governmental career.
At the age of 17, 20 and 23,he went to Wuchang to take the imperial exam at the provincial level,but failed each time. Thence,he gave up the imperial examination, and determined to follow his father to learn medicine. He lucubrated at medical knowledge,spared no pains to take in the predecessors' experiences in medical treatment,and were good at giving play to his own creativity.
Career
Li Shizhen had become recognized for his medical abilities; formal recognition came when he produced an accurate diagnosis and a cure for the son of Zhu Xian, prince of the Chu State. In his medical practice, Li Shizhen found many mistakes, repetitions or omissions in medical books available, feeling it was a great problem that affected the health and life of patients. So he made up his mind to compile a new comprehensive book specializing in medicines again. From the age of 34, he started this project. In order to collect the necessary information, he traveled extensively and consulted experts in each area of interest, finding individuals who worked daily with field plants, water animals, snakes, birds, minerals, and so on. He collected and consulted 800 medical books, that is, virtually everything available in print at the time. He added his own understanding derived from his own medical practice and his family’s medical lore.