He called himself Can Huangzi. He was from She County, Anhui. Born into a Confucian family, his grandfather Yuanchang and father Zhitao were both "virtuous hermits." His great-uncle Wu Zhenglun and cousin Wu Xingjian were both renowned local physicians. At the age of 15, he failed the provincial examination and "abandoned the scholar's brush to dedicate himself to the art of medicine." His family possessed a rich collection of medical texts. Wu "read extensively from various schools day and night," studying medicine under Yu Wuting, a local physician. Gradually gaining proficiency, Yu encouraged him to travel. He journeyed through the regions of Sanwu, Jiangzhe, Jingxiang, and Yan-Zhao, learning from physicians more skilled than himself. As a result, his medical knowledge greatly advanced, and coupled with his dedication to treating and saving lives, his reputation quickly spread.

Wu authored Yifangkao (1584), Mai Yu in 2 volumes (1584), Huangdi Neijing Suwen Wu's Commentary in 24 volumes (1594), and Zhenfang Liuji in 6 volumes (1618). Additionally, he wrote Thirteen Branches of Medicine: Zhengzhi, Can Huang Lun, Yaozuan, and Biankao

, which have been lost. Suwen Wu's Commentary provides annotations on Suwen, first summarizing the main ideas and then offering detailed explanations by section. The analogies are vivid, the reasoning thorough, and the content closely linked to clinical practice, making it highly popular.

Yifangkao is a formulary, divided into 24 categories by disease, with each category containing several formulas, totaling over 700 formulas. Mai Yu elaborates on pulse-taking methods, three positions and nine pulse-takings, physiological and pathological pulse manifestations, and the unique pulse characteristics of women and children. It critiques the Taisu pulse theory and clearly defines the format for writing medical case records. Zhenfang Liuji emphasizes the parallel use of acupuncture and herbal medicine.