Series synopsis
The Herbalist's Manual, also known as 本草藥王 is a drama television series that premiered on TVB Jade on August 8, 2005. It ended on September 9, 2005. It was created by Wong Wai-Sing. It stars Frankie Lam, Michelle Ye Xuan, Kenneth Ma Kwok-Ming and Selena Lee.
LI SHI CHUN (LAM MAN LUNG, FRANKIE), who has studied herbs since he was a little boy, loves a girl TUNG CHING (YE, MICHELLE). However, he is already engaged to NG MO YUNG (LEE SZE WAN). He plans to break off the engagement and reveal his feelings to CHING after taking the imperial civil examination. Unfortunately, when he returns home after the examination, CHING has already agreed to marry his brother (AL WAI). CHUN has no choice but to marry YUNG. He becomes the student of a renowned doctor LI ...
Premise
LI SHI CHUN (LAM MAN LUNG, FRANKIE), who has studied herbs since he was a little boy, loves a girl TUNG CHING (YE, MICHELLE). However, he is already engaged to NG MO YUNG (LEE SZE WAN). He plans to break off the engagement and reveal his feelings to CHING after taking the imperial civil examination. Unfortunately, when he returns home after the examination, CHING has already agreed to marry his brother (AL WAI). CHUN has no choice but to marry YUNG. He becomes the student of a renowned doctor LITTLE BUDDHA, who turns out to be CHING’s adopted father. CHUN finds out that the old medical books are full of mistakes. There are also all kinds of fake herbs in the market. Therefore, he decides to write a book called the Compendium of Materia Medica. He is appointed as an imperial doctor in the palace by the Duke of Chor...
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Frankie Lam as Li shi zhen
- Michelle Ye Xuan as Dong qing
- Kenneth Ma Kwok-Ming as Pang xian
- Selena Lee as Wu mu rong
- Law Lok-Lam as Yan song
- Rebecca Chan
- May Law Koon-Lan
- Lau Kong
Supporting cast
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 25 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 25 | August 8, 2005 | September 9, 2005 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 LI YIN MAN is a famous doctor in Binhu, Danzhou. Finding that the social status of a local doctor very low, he wishes his son, LI SHI CHUN, could take the imperial civil examination and become an imperial official. Under the influence of his father’s profession, CHUN indulges himself in the studies of herbs. He even does not stop treating people when he is preparing for the exam. He meets TUNG CHING, who pretends to be the Goddess of Medicine and practices medicine for free, and appreciates her kind-heartedness very much. MAN made a promise to his late friend of his that CHUN will marry NG MO YUNG, the niece of the Duke of KING, after the exam. The Duke of KING, nevertheless, looks down upon them. YUNG falls for CHUN’s talent and looks very much forward to marrying him. SISTER YAT, who is a widow, faints during a difficult delivery. Her family members believe that she has died and so bury her…… |
August 8, 2005 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 MAN asks CHUN to study in at a local school in preparation for the exam. CHUN has no choice but to do as told. YAT has become friends with CHING, who has saved her. She even regards CHING as her son’s second mother. CHING is influenced by her foster father, LITTLE BUDDHA, and has developed a great interest in medicine. Seeing that there is discrimination against women practicing medicine, she decides to become a physician herself. Fisherman KAM SHUI comes to CHUN for his leg problem. As CHUN has promised his father not to practice medicine when he is preparing for the exam, he turns to CHING for help. CHUN gets to know PONG HIN, an outstanding student of the imperial medical school. He would like to borrow some medical books from HIN. HIN refuses at first but changes his mind later because of CHUNG’s sincerity. CHUN and CHING gather herbs for medical use in the countryside…… |
August 9, 2005 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 YUNG has very poor health. CHUN prepares some nourishing herbal soup for her. KWO is picking herbs when he sees CHING, who leaves a remarkable impression on him. KWO’s wife died a few years ago. Now that he has found someone he likes, CHUN encourages him to go for her. CHUN, nevertheless, does not realize that it is in fact CHING whom KWO likes, the very girl he himself admires. KWO helps CHING mend her house. She mistakes that CHUN has arranged this. CHUN plans to express his love for CHING and calls off his engagement with YUNG after the exam. CHUN encourages KWO to propose to the girl he likes. He even gives KWO a betrothal gift. Mistaking that KWO has come to propose on behalf of CHUN, CHING accepts right away. CHUN is sitting for the exam in Wuchang. He has accidentally offended CHAN, one of the examiners. Later, he sees YIM SAI FAN, the son of imperial official YIM SUNG, committing fraudulence and corruption during the exam…… |
August 10, 2005 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | TVB Jade |
|---|---|
| First aired | August 8, 2005 |
| Last aired | September 9, 2005 |
| Runtime | 42 minutes |
| Status | Ended |