-Prehistoric era (before ~2200 B.C.)
Archeology suggests based on the excavation of "Peking Man" that Chinese people existed before half a million years ago. Studies of the "Peking Man" reveal many interesting aspects in the life of primitive Chinese cuture. More than a third of the population died early, before they reach adulthood, and just a couple of percents lived to the age of 50-60. Diseases and illnesses were pervasive, and the old men learned to use stone needles for minor operation, and seletively use plant and mineral materials to treat sufferings.
As the hunters turned into agrarians, by the Sheng Nung period (~2800 B.C.), people plowed the fields, and established agriculture for the livelihood of the majority. Sheng Nung, the "Devine Plowman" tasted hundreds of plants and identified those helpful in curing certain diseases. He taught his people how to use these herbs and avoid poisonous substances. Anecdote records that some people followed his teachings and lived beyond 70. His works and experiences were written into the book "The Herabl Classic of the Divine Plowman" around 101 B.C. by an anonymous writer. Also written was "Royal Classic [Huabg Ti Nei Chien]", which records about the technique for diagnosing diseases developed by the first emperor of China Huang Ti ("Yellow Emperor", throned in 2696 B.C.) and his cabinet members Gi Po and Lei Kun, around 100 B.C.

-Shang-Zhou Dynasties (~2000-220 B.C.)
In the excavation of the ruins of Shang dynasty, more than 30 distinct plant seeds were identified. Some of these are still in medicinal use. Yi Yuen, the talented chef of emperor Sheng Tong Wong (~1600 B.C.), who later was appointed as prime minister, taught people on selecting plants and cooking them. He first introduced decoction for the preparation of herbal medicine, and propagated herbal formulas and extracts based on "The Herbal Classic of the Devine Plowman".
In Si Gi, one of the oldest written Chinese history by Si Ma Chin in Han dynasty, mentions Pin Choi (407-310 B.C.) as the pioneer in sphygmology. Pin Choi was the most famous medical practitioner in the Qin dynasty, diagnosed illnesses by detecting abnormalities of the pulse, wrote the 9-volume Pin Choi Nai Chien and the 12-volume Wal Chien on diagnosis and sphygmology.
Si Chien was written during the War Period (475-221 B.C.) and recorded more than 100 herbs and their usages.

-Qin and Han Dynasties (206 B.C. -265)
In fact "The Herbal Classic of the Devine Plowman" was written during this period, as the paper was invented also in this period. The book describes 365 medicinal materials (one for each day, and for one year), of which 252 are from plants, 67 from animal, and 46 from minerals, and describes in detail about the taste, source, pharmacological action, and therapeutic use for each of them, and 170 diseases that can be treated with the medicines. The herbal Classic categorizes the 365 drugs into three classes: the upper class (120) that strengthen the body, are harmless, and support life; the middle class (120) are not harmful if the dose is measured carefully; the lower class (125) cure illness but would be harmful if taken excessively or too often.
Zhang Ching-Jin, born in the late Han dynasty (~200-300) has been the most respected physician in China. His 16-volume books on diagnosis and treatment including 397 treatment methods, rules, and formulas, have been essential textbooks for traditional medical practioners.
Hua Tau (145-203) was the most famous internist and surgeon in Asia, and left many records on formaulas and treatment. His technoque for general anesthesia has been in use for more than a thousand years for patients prior to operations such as opening the abdomen, amputation, and cutting out tumors. He also made great contributions to acupuncture and sphygmology.
Taoism, one of the easliest religions in China, flourished in the Han dynasty. Priests developed the science of alchemy to prepare pills and drugs. Yi Po Yang was the alchemist in this period, and wrote a book about purifying metals and making pills, describing the characteristics of mercury and use of it for skin diseases. The book represents the oldest published alchemy book in the world.

-Jian Dynasty (265-560)
"Ben Cao Chien Collection", a collection of classic herbs, and "Yung-San Chian", a book about well-being and longevity, were written by the famous medical herbalist Tou Yu-Gin (452-536). The former extended "The Herbal Classic of the Divine Plowman", listing 730 herbs and categorzing them into more subgroups in addition to the upper, middle, and lower classes.

-Tsuai and Tang Dynasties (580-900)
According to the Emperor's request, a number of scholars edited a complete pharmacopoeia of Chinese herbs, "Tang's Newly Revised Materia Medica", which was completed in 659 and listed 850 drugs in 54 chapters, among which 20 were drugs imported from foreign countries. The book is highly informative on details of each drugs influencing Korea and Japan as well as the entire China, and considered a textbook for all Asian medicine practitioners.

-Sung-Jiang-Yuan Dynasties (960-1380)
The "Tang's Newly Revised Materia Medica" was revised in this period, and a few additional herbal books with large volumes were written.

-Ming-Chin Dynasties (1368-1911)
A famous physician Li Shih Chen (1518-1593) wrote the most important Chinese herb book "Ben Cao Kong Mu" or "The Herbal Classic" during this period. The book lists 1,892 drugs and 11,096 prescriptions, encompasses almost all known Chinese herbs and medical prescriptions known in the age. A dozen other books were also written in this period.

-Post-Revolution Period (1911- )
Chinese revolutionary and president Mao proclaimed in 1949 that CHinese medicine is a great national treasure, and China must strive to prove and elevate its status. Since then, works are in progress in China and elsewhere in the world to make Asian medicine scientific, and compatible with modern, western science and medicine, except for a brief standstill during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). The plethora of information and knowledge amassed during the long history represent excellent resources, and although modern medicine and drugs from the West have been changing everything, majority of people in China and other Asian countries still practice the old wisdom.