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.
