This is the third book by Ron Teeguarden that I've read and he just keeps getting better. It is laid out in a logical categorical order, which makes it very easy to compare different herbs. Ron has rated the herbs with a star rating that indicates how many treasures each herb will affect. Then he goes on to rate actual patent tonic formulas. It is a wonderful reference book, something you will refer to again and again for information and reinforcement, but it is written in very down to earth layman's language. It has an incredible amount of information, even down to some chemical descriptions and cellular activity, but if you aren't interested in going that deep, the descriptions are arranged so that you can skip whatever you don't want to read and go straight to the pertinent parts. Of all the books on Chinese herbology that I have, this one is quickly becoming my favorite. It's one of those rare books that is good to start with, and it is good to finish out a collection with also.