Herb Lore

Chinese herbalism in 1920s Oakland: Fong Wan's own book of herbs, cases and cookery, published from his Tenth Street office at a time when practising it got him prosecuted — and acquitted.

The Fong Wan Herbalist

6 pages in this part of Herb Lore.

The Fong Wan Herbalist

Fong Wan, who is now approaching middle age, has long been recognized as the most successful herbalist in the Western Hemisphere. Thousands…

The Fong Wan Herbalist: Chinese

The foundation of Fong Wan's remarkable success was laid years ago, when, while yet a school-boy, he lived and worked with his uncle, Dr…

The Fong Wan Herbalist: Oakland

At the time that Fong Wan came to Oakland, none of the Chinese Herbalists were doing much business. Many had been driven out of town by the…

The Fong Wan Herbalist: Francisco

There is no Chinese herbalist in San Francisco whose success has been as outstanding as that of Fong Wan. Consequently, herbalists have not…

The Fong Wan Herbalist: Herb

Again on May 8, 1919, when Fong Wan was on trial in Police Court No. 2, his patrons rallied to his aid. It was publicly declared that the…

The Fong Wan Herbalist: Palace

This mansion has no duplicate anywhere in the United States. One of the attendants shows visitors around. Thousands of Americans have…

Rights & ReuseThe complete text of Herb Lore (1927) is in the public domain in the United States — like all works published before 1928 — and is free to read, download, quote, teach from, and reuse. This digital edition (its transcription, restored images, and site design) is © 2026 PhotoOpAI, and any editorial commentary we add is clearly marked as ours; the underlying public-domain text carries no such restriction.