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Illustration from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 This painting depicts butter making. The text states: Butter (su) is slightly cooling, sweet and oily. It has the medicinal properties of tonifiying the five viscera, stimulating the large intestine, etc. It is often used to treat mouth ulcers.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Butter

Illustration of 'washing-up water' from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 The illustration shows a man washing dishes in a kitchen.


 The text states: Washing-up water can treat malign sores which have failed to heal after a long period. The washing-up water is boiled and salted and used to bathe the lesions. The effects are immediate.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Washing-up water

Illustrations from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 These paintings depict the manufacture of clear spirit (baijiu) and pure liquor (chunjiu).

 he text states: Clear spirit, if consumed with beef, engenders worms in the belly. Pure liquor is suitable as a cooling beverage. It has the medicinal properties of moistening the lungs and nourishing the stomach.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Alcoholic beverages

Illustration of 'fangzhu' water from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.
The text states: Fangzhu water is sweet in sapor, cool [in thermostatic character] and non-poisonous. Drinking it can improve the eyesight, and calm the heart. It is indicated for paediatric heat ailments and tormenting thirst.


[Cataloguing incomplete]

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: fangzhu water

Illustration of black bean sauce (douchi) from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 The text states: Black bean sauce is bitter in sapor, cold in thermostatic character and non-poisonous. It is efficacious against conditions such as cold damage and headache, miasmas (zhang qi), malign poisons (edu) insufficiency-overexertion (xulao), ague/malaria (nüeji) and bone steaming (guzheng).

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Black bean sauce

Illustration of distiller's grains (jiuzao) from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 The illustration shows a man scooping distiller's grains out of a vat.

 The text states: Distiller's grain is salty in sapor. It has the medicinal effects of warming the centre, promoting digestion, getting rid of fishy odour, eliminating poisons from vegetables, moisturising the skin, regulating the zang and fu viscera, etc.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Distiller's grains

Illustration of cooking-liquid water (chuitang shui) from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 Cooking-liquid water is the liquid left in the pot after boiling or steaming food. The text states: If one uses cooking-liquid water to wash one's face in the morning, one will lose one's good looks. If one uses it to bathe one's body, one is liable to contract ringworm.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Cooking-liquid water

Illustration of salted fish (yuzha) from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 Salted fish is fish preserved by salting. The illustration shows a man carrying out this procedure. The text states: Salted fish means any kind of fish preserved by salting. Fish preserved in this way is not good for the spleen and stomach, and eating it is liable to cause itching (jie).

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Salted fish

Illustration of 'leaking-house water' from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 Leaking-house (wulou shui) water is rainwater leaking through the roof of a building. The illustration shows a man collecting water from leaks in his ceiling in various bowls and basins. 

The text states: Leaking-house water is highly poisonous. If one should inadvertently drink it, one will certainly contract noxious diseases; however dog bites bathed in it heal rapidly.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Leaking-house water

Illustrations of 'pig trough water' (zhucao shui) and 'urine ditch water'(niaokeng shui) from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 The text states: Pig trough water is non-poisonous. It is used to bathe insect and snake bites. Urine ditch water is non-poisonous. It is used to treat wasting thirst (xiaoke, diabetes) and can also eliminate puffer fish toxins, in case of accidental ingestion.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Pig trough/urine ditch water

Illustration of 'flower water' from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 This illustration depicts the collection of flower water (huashui), i.e. raindrops and dew obtained from flowers.


 The text states: Flower water is neutral in thermostatic character and non-poisonous. It is effective in quenching thirst. For long journeys where water is unavailable, one should prepare pellets of flower water, bitter gourd (kugua) and betel; if one eats these, one will never suffer thirst.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Flower water

Illustration of 'winter frost water' from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 Frost (shuang), i.e. frozen dew, was collected by brushing it up with chicken feathers, and was then sealed in bottles for later use. The illustration shows a man climbing a ladder to gather frost from a roof.


 The text states: Winter frost water is cold in thermostatic character and non-poisonous. It is used to relieve alcoholic heat (jiure), cold damage and heat ailments.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Winter frost water

Illustrations from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 These paintings illustrate mulberry liquor and Chinese wolfberry (gouqi, lycium chinense) liquor.

 The text states: Mulberry liquor tonifies the five viscera, tonifies the five viscera, and increases the acuity of the ears and eyes. Chinese wolfberry liquor is a tonic for insufficiency detriment/consumption (xusun), gets rid of overexertion heat (laore), lengthens the muscles,improves the looks, makes one sturdy, and relieves liver deficiency and tearfulness.

Illustrations from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 The illustrations depict the manufacture of Shandong 'autumn dew spirit '(qiulu baijiu) and Nanjing 'bottled liquor' (pingjiu). 

 The text states: Nanjing bottled liquor is fermented with grain. Because the water is alkaline, a little lime is added. It is very sweet in sapor. If drunk to excess, it is retained in the centre, causing an accumulation of phlegm. Shandong autumn dew spirit is colourless with a pure, clean flavour.

Illustration of 'crab-roe water' (xiehuang shui) from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 The illustration depicts the procedure for obtaining crab-roe water. The yellow part of the crab is removed and put in a lacquer vessel, and mixed until it dissolves. The ancients used this liquid to concoct medicines.


 The text states: Crab-roe water is used to treat epidemic diseases (tianxing), epilepsy (dianxian), erysipelas (dandu), lacquer sores (qi chuang) etc.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Crab-roe water

Illustration of ' mid-air river water' (bantianhe shui) from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 This illustration shows a man looking out through the window of a building, keeping a watchful eye on a basin in which he is collecting water from a gutter under the eaves. Bencao mengquan (Introduction to the Pharmacopoeia), by the Ming (1368-1644) author Chen Jiamo, explains: 'Mid-air river water is collected in bamboo tubes. This is the 'upper pool' of which Bian Que learnt from his teacher Mr Chang Sang. It is extremely clean and clear, so much so that it can be used in making danyao, the elixir of immortality'.

The text states: Mid-air river water is rainwater collected in bamboo tubes. It is efficacious against heart disease and madness from demonic infestation(guizhu fang), malign Qi and noxious poisons, etc.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Mid-air river water

Illustrations from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 The illustrations depict the manufacture of chrysanthemum liquor and grape wine.

 The text states: Chrysanthemum liquor clears wind from the head, increases the acuity of the ears and eyes, alleviates paralysis, stimulates the appetite, invigorates the spleen, warms Yin and raises Yang, and eliminates a hundred illnesses. Grape wine replenishes Qi and regulates the centre; however, it is rather heating in thermostatic character. It is suitable for Northeners to drink, but Southerners should not drink large quantities of it.

Illustration of sesame oil (xiangyou) from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 The illustration shows a workman extracting oil from sesame.


 The text states: Sesame oil is cold in thermostatic character when raw but hot once cooked. It is non-poisonous. Sesame oil has the medicinal properties of lubricating the marrow, bringing down retrograde heat-poison Qi in the triple burner (sanjiao), stimulating the elimination of faeces and urine, etc... It must not be consumed by people suffering from dental problems and illnesses of the spleen and stomach.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Sesame oil

Illustration of salt (yan) from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 The text states: Salty is salty in sapor, cold in thermostatic character, and non-poisonous. It destroys ghosts, parasites and infection (gui gu zhu), and heals covert sores (or invisible worm sores, nichuang) of the lower body. Salt water can bring about the vomiting of phlegm and accumulations in the chest, relieve acute pain in the heart and stomach, and staunch bleeding gums. Taken to excess, it harms the lungs, mars the appearance, and darkens the skin.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Salt

Illustration showing the procedure for making 'raw and cooked' water from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 Raw and cooked water (shengshou shui) is also known as Yin and Yang water (yinyang shui). Li Shizhen writes in Bencao gangmu (Systematic Materia Medica), Section on water, juan 5: 'Water obtained by mixing together one cup each of freshly drawn water and boiled water is called raw and cooked water. It is also known as Yin and Yang water'. The illustration shows two people preparing raw and cooked water.


 The text states: Raw and cooked water is salty in sapor and non-poisonous. If drunk salted, it can bring about the vomiting of retained food (sushi) and relieve abdominal swelling. In case of extreme drunkenness or a surfeit of melons and other fruit, one should bathe the body in raw and cooked water to remove the odour (Qi) of alcohol or fruit.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: 'Raw and cooked' water

Illustration from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

This illustration, headed jiangshui (a term for vinegar), depicts the process of vinegar making. Bencao mengquan (Introduction to the Pharmacopoeia) by Chen Jiamo, also published in the Ming period, explains: 'Jiang means cu (vinegar). Millet is cooked and added to cold water, then left to macerate for 5-6 days. It has a vinegary flavour. It produces a white sediment. In colour, it resembles syrup (jiang); hence the name.

The text states: Vinegar (jiangshui) is sweet and acid in sapor, slightly warming in thermostatic character, and non-poisonous. It has the medicinal properties of regulating the centre and stimulating the appetite, relieving food retention (sushi), eliminating distress and arresting vomiting, etc. It can be used to treat conditions such as huoluan (cholera and analogous illnesses, diarrhoea and somnolence. There is an alimentary prohibition on the consumption of iced vinegar by pregnant women.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Vinegar

Illustration of ' plum rain water' from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 This illustration depicts the collection of plum rain water. Li Shizhen writes in Bencao gangmu (Systematic Materia Medica), Section on water, juan 5, in the entry on rainwater: With regard to meiyu (plum rain) or meiyu (mould rain), it is said that clothing or objects made wet by it develop black mould. Grain in Ear (Nangzhong, the 9th solar term, in early June) marks the arrival of the plum rains, and Slight Heat (Xiaoshu, the 11th solar term, in early July) marks their departure. In other words, the plum rains begin in the third [lunar] month and cease in the fifth [lunar] month. This is a period of hot, wet weather; it is close and muggy, and the high humidity produces torrential rain.' Under 'heavy rain' (fan yushui), in the same section of Bencao Gangmu, Li Shizhen cites Bencao shiyi (Supplement to the Materia Medica) by the Tang (618-907) pharmacologist Chen Zangqi: 'If plum rain wets clothing, it becomes black and mouldy. A peculiar liquid like lye rinses out of it. It can only be removed by washing in plum juice decoction; otherwise it cannot be removed'. The illustration conveys the idea that, in the season of plum rains, rainwater can be collected beneath plum trees, here shown in blossom. 
 

 The text states: To cure ringworm and scabies (xuanjie), and get rid of scars, one can wash in plum rain water. Liquor made with plum rain water matures rapidly. If clothing is made wet by plum rain water, it develops black mildew; mildew stains on garments can be removed by washing in plum juice decoction.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Plum rain water

Illustration of 'Abundant dew' (fan lushui) from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 This illustration shows a man with a small bowl and a basin, intent on gathering 'abundant dew'. 


 The text states: Abundant dew is obtained in the autumn, when dew is plentiful. It is collected in bowls left out in the open air. Heated till thick and consumed, it has the effects of conferring longevity and assuaging hunger. Liquor made with abundant dew is called qiulu bai (autumn dew white [spirit]). It is particularly fragrant and delicate in flavour.

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Abundant dew

Illustration of spring water from a dark source' (yindi liu quanshui) from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.
 
 In this illustration, the painter depicts water flowing along a deep, winding channel, to suggest that the source of the water is underground, in a place that can never see the light of day.


 The text states: Spring water from a dark source should not be drunk; drinking it causes miasmic malaria (nüezheng) and weakness of the limbs. According to another theory, drinking water that has collected in a marsh causes lumps in the abdomen (jia).

Chinese Materia Dieteticag: Water from an underground spring

Illustrations from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.

 The illustrations depict the production of rice liquor (mijiu) and Guangxi snake liquor (shejiu). The text states: Rice liquor is made by fermenting white glutinous rice with clear water, yeast (baiqu) and white glutinous rice. Drunk in small quantities, it is good for the health. Guangxi snake liquor is made by putting an inch-long section of a snake (1 cun [Chinese inch] = c. 3 cm) in the vat, and it is fermented with medicinal herbs collected in the mountains; thus it is poisonous. This liquor is effective in expelling wind.

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Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Butter

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Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Black bean sauce

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Distiller's grains

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Cooking-liquid water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Salted fish

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Leaking-house water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Pig trough/urine ditch water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Flower water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Winter frost water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Alcoholic beverages

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Alcoholic beverages

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Crab-roe water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Mid-air river water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Alcoholic beverages

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Sesame oil

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Salt

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: 'Raw and cooked' water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Vinegar

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Plum rain water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Abundant dew

Chinese Materia Dieteticag: Water from an underground spring

Chinese Materia Dietetica: Rice liquor; Guangxi snake liquor

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Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Butter

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Washing-up water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Alcoholic beverages

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: fangzhu water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Black bean sauce

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Distiller's grains

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Cooking-liquid water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Salted fish

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Leaking-house water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Pig trough/urine ditch water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Flower water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Winter frost water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Alcoholic beverages

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Alcoholic beverages

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Crab-roe water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Mid-air river water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Alcoholic beverages

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Sesame oil

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Salt

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: 'Raw and cooked' water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Vinegar

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Plum rain water

Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Abundant dew

Chinese Materia Dieteticag: Water from an underground spring

Chinese Materia Dietetica: Rice liquor; Guangxi snake liquor

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