Monochrome painting of ciliate desert-grass (wugong cao, lit. centipede grass; Eremochloa ciliaris/Pteris vittata?) from Diannan bencao tushuo (The Illustrated Yunnan Pharmacopoeia). Diannan bencao tushuo was compiled by the Ming (1368-1644) writer Lan Mao in the 14th-15th century. The word 'Dian' in the title refers to the Yunnan region, in the Southwest of China. It provides a record of the plants and other substances commonly used for medicinal purposes in Yunnan in the Ming period. Most of the entries are illustrated with ink and wash paintings. This manuscript copy was executed in 1773 (38th year of the Qianlong reign period of the Qing dynasty, Gui Si year) by Zhu Jingyang.
In the text, Lan Mao states: Ciliate desert-grass is sweet and acid in sapor, neutral in thermostatic character, and non-poisonous. It has the medicinal effects of soothing the sinews and activating the collateral channels; freeing blockage disease (bi) and alleviating pain. It is used to treat hemiplegia and pain in the bones and sinews, one-sided paralysis and lack of sensation, etc.
