# Bencao: Chinese Medicine Herbs — user reviews > 55 indexed App Store user reviews of Bencao by eXebeche, rated 3.70/5 from 7 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bencao-chinese-medicine-herbs/id312055852/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bencao-chinese-medicine-herbs/id312055852.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 4 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 2 ## Newest reviews (11 of 55) ### 4/5 — Functions flawlessly, but could use more frequent updates *2016-05-03, version 1.3* This is a fantastic app and I have used it regularly over the course of several years. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to keep up with updates for the new iOS systems. This app has never crashed on me and all of the hyperlinks function as they should. There is definitely a wealth of information within the app in a very concise manner, but there are very few (literally) holes that could be filled in. ### 4/5 — Nice App *2014-04-27, version 1.3* Easy to search, nice pinyin listing. Would LOVE to see more herbs and formulas but there is plenty there. A very good start. ### 3/5 — Needs more development *2012-09-25, version 1.1.2* This is a fairly good app but for the price that you pay it needs way more development and things included. It's a little bit cumbersome to get around and there is no search engines to find something specific. They only have their predesigned symptoms categories. All in all it's a good start but for the money there's other programs that are better than this out there for a much lower price. That's my opinion... ### 4/5 — very useful app! *2011-11-14, version 1.1.2* really useful, i use it a lot to brush up on herbs and formulas. or just read around a bit while waiting somewhere, also great for getting info quick. only problem i am having is that it shuts down sometimes on iphone 4s :( other then that i have been using it since the original iphone - already some years - never disappointed with it. keep up the good work ### 3/5 — Good but needs further updates *2010-04-10, version 0* It is a very useful program which i have recomended to other colegues. There are some basic formulas of shan han lun and other basic formulas that do not appear and many single herbs missing. I hope for updates to provide more formulas especially when considering the price. A better search bar could also be beneficial aside of the alphabetical sidebar. I recomend this app with confidence, but it does need further work. Ty ### 4/5 — Pretty good *2010-02-10, version 0* Very Neat. But missing a few CA state board herbs. Overall, it's really nice not to carry around heavy books, or those pocket books. But does need an update to adjust formulas to add or subtract herbs for more personal use. ### 4/5 — BenCao Review *2010-01-21, version 0* So far so good, I like the app, as I am a Student of Oriental Medicine who will go on to the Doctorate Level. From what I've heard so far is that everybody likes it alot. BUT.....what I would love to see in future versions is a place to write our own formulas. This would make the software more valuable of a tool. Thank you. ### 3/5 — Not There Yet *2009-12-28, version 0* Discussion of Herbs and Formulas is adequate. However, symptoms and syndromes are sparsly described, listing only a few herb & formula recomendations without a greater discussion of pathomechanism, related symptomes, qi dynamic, etc. Ultimately the program is useable but underwhelming, especially after reading so many good reviews. For $20, I would prefer a refund, because compared to other out there, this one is simply not worth the price. ### 3/5 — High on Herbal Ap, BUT CAN'T Add/Modify Info *2009-12-21, version 0* Very nice to be able to crossreference many different ways! The bottom line is that this app SAVES lots of time and energy for the student or for the Physician putting together patent formulas. It would be very beneficial if on upcoming relesases the following were added: 1) able to add custom formulas 2) able to add additonal herbs into the database 3) user define fonts. ### 3/5 — Looks good, but... *2009-12-18, version 0* Just downloaded the ap and was a bit dissapointed as two formulas, Bi Yan Pian and Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan, were not listed. I suspect updates will include additional entries? ### 5/5 — Great product *2009-09-29, version 0* Great product! My herbal references are gathering dust! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Needs iPad compatibility *2018-01-18, version 1.4* When I bought this app I didn’t realize that it only works in the vertical screen orientation for iPad. This is extremely inconvenient, as a CCM student who uses my iPad as a small computer in the horizontal orientation. I was sincerely hoping to be able to use this app every day and type all my own notes in at the bottom. Please fix this, and then I will rate 5 stars. ### 1/5 — Bencao disappeared off of my wife's new iPhone 7 *2017-09-02, version 1.3.1* My wife and I both have Bencao on our iPhone's for many years and we use it all of the time. We both just got iphone 7 and we restored them from our last backup of our 6S. My Bencao was on my new phone but it was not on my wife's iPhone. She went to the App Store and it was only for purchase but she already purchased it years ago. Can you please advise how to restore Bencao on her iPhone. ### 1/5 — Not worth it *2012-04-25, version 1.1.2* I've had this app for several years now, and it's not worth the price. It really needs to be updated. It has potential and when I first got it, it was pretty good, but now... Don't bother unless they do a massive update. ### 1/5 — App Needs Updating *2012-01-06, version 1.1.2* This app was excellent when it first came out, but now it needs updating. There are quite a few typos and formatting issues. Too pricey. ### 1/5 — Not worth it. *2010-02-05, version 0* At first I was very excited about this app, but my excitement turned to disappointment as months and months went by with absolutely no upgrades. The very high price for this app is simply not worth it. I would recommend TCM Clinic Aid which updates every few months and continually adds more information and more features. ### 1/5 — Same *2009-07-20, version 0* Paid thirty bucks, it was great then suddenly stopped working. No one has gotten back to me after numerous attempts. Stinks! ### 2/5 — Barebones and Overpriced *2015-03-13, version 1.3* Doesn't have anything that TCM Clinic Aid doesn't. Does NOT have a lot that TCM does: herb breakdown, modifications, Western usages, quizzes, etc. Bought this awhile back when had a $100 Apple card and have used it maybe a few times just briefly. The look is outdated and kinda clunky and ugly. Considering TCM covers acupuncture and is less than half the cost, there really is no reason to buy this now. ### 2/5 — Disappointed *2011-04-02, version 1.1.2* I have purchased this app at the high price of $29.99. I few weeks later I found another app that was only $5.99 and that gave me far superior information on herbs materia medica with additions of numerous formula modifications pictures and western explanations, as well as TCM indications. In addition this $5.99 app. also contained points prescription indications, point locations, categories and pictures of meridians as welll as auricular points. For the price of $29.99 I expected a lot more than what the Ben Cao app. offers and I feel that it was a complete waste of my money to purchase this app. I now only use TCM Clinic Aid which is far superior, more comprehensive and cost effective. Do yourself a favor and don't get ripped off. ### 2/5 — frustrated *2009-11-03, version 0* I love this application,but since the update i have not been able to open it on my itouch! Now it is useless! PLEASE HELP! I absolutely loved this program when it actually worked! now i feel like I wasted $30! Please Help! ### 3/5 — Good app but work still needed *2014-01-21, version 1.3* This is an expensive app but i am quite happy i bought it because it is on the whole well made and one can see that a lot of thought and hard work has gone into it. It covers a large amount of herbs and formulas and all the different items are well interlinked so you can move swiftly and efficiently through the content of the app. I do not give it 5 stars because it does not give the botanical name of the herbs, it only gives the pinyin and the pharmaceutical names. I consider this quite a serious shortcoming. Also, only some of the herbs have pictures and a considerable number of them do not. Once those two issues are sorted i would gladly give this app five stars. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great app for Chinese Herbalists *2017-05-19, version 1.3.1* I don't have to lug around a bunch of giant books anymore! Great app for students and herbalists. ### 5/5 — Die beste TCM-App, die ich kenne. *2015-10-04, version 1.3* Dies ist die gründlichste und beste TCM-App, die ich unter ca. 40 anderen als beste empfunden habe. Schaue hier gerne einzelne Kräuter oder Zusammensetzungen von Rezepturen nach. Auch im täglichen Praxis-Betrieb sehr nützlich. ### 5/5 — Tolle schnelle Datenbank *2014-11-15, version 1.3* Schon lange bei anderen TCM Therapeuten gesehen endlich zugelegt - toll schnelle Übersicht klar strukturiert um eigene Notizen ergänzbar. ### 5/5 — Essential tool *2014-10-07, version 1.3* This is an amazing Chinese herbal application I use it on a daily basis and I find it incredibly helpful and well worth the money. ### 5/5 — Excellent pocket reference *2014-01-19, version 1.3* Use this all the time. Great pocket reference app for TCM practitioners. ### 5/5 — Shen Dao *2012-07-21* Très très bonne application pour la PHYTO chinoise ### 5/5 — la meilleure application et la plus compléte sur la MTC mais... *2010-08-18* La meilleure application testée sur les therapies de la médecine traditionnelle chinoise, phyto comme acupuncture avec possibilité de rajouter des indications aux points et visualiser leur localisation. Quel dommage qu'elle ne soit pas en français. Le "mais" du titre pour signifier qu'une version iPad serait la bienvenue, le logiciel s'y prête et si j'osais une version française. ### 5/5 — Very handy!!! *2010-05-11, version 0* I use it all the time. Would be great if you could add formulas too. ### 5/5 — TYVM *2009-10-27, version 0* Great study tool!! Flawless design and this is just perfect. Thank you :) ### 5/5 — Best just got better!!! *2009-10-26, version 0* Best formula app out there by far!!! Well worth the money for students & acupuncturist, or for the layman who just wants to learn herbs!!! Better than carrying around a huge book and the best part is you can add your own notes and comments. My favorite app on my itouch!!! Will use it for years to come. Only one thing I would suggest to this already perfect app is have the chief herb highlighted or in red. That would help to study for state boards or Nationals. Awesome job on the colors and easy to use search data and the updates makes it even better than great!! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-04.*