Written between 206 BC and 200 AD, The Divine Husbandman's Classic of Materia Medica by Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing - this book contained 252 herbs, 45 minerals, 67 animal substances 

This book was updated in 6th century by Tao Hongjing, the Chinese Daoist 

By 659, during the Tang Dynasty, first illustrated Tang Materia Medica contained 844 entries 

By 1108, during the Song Dynasty, Materia Medica Arranged According to Patterns by Zheng Lei Ben Cao, contained 1558 substances 

By 1596, during the Ming Dynasty, Grand Materia Medica / Ben Cao Gang Mu by Li Shi Zhen, contained 1173 plants, 444 animal substances, 275 minerals

Published in 1977, took 25 years to write, Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Substances / Zhong Yao Da Ci Dian by Jiangsu College of New Medicine, contained 5767 entries 

Published in 2002, Chinese Materia Medica / Zhong Hua Ben Cao, contains almost 9000 entries.