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 red yeast liquor (hongqu jiu) and Thai (Siamese) liquor (xianluo jiu).
The text states: Red yeast liquor is extremely heating and poisonous. Drinking it can cause beri-beri (jiaoqi), intestinal wind, bloody bowel discharge, haemorrhoids and fistulas, asthma, etc. It is only used to break [stagnant] blood, to destroy poisons, and to protect from cold mountain miasmas (shanlan hanqi),It is particularly good for treating injuries from knocks and falls. Thai liquor is double distilled, and rare fragrances are added to it...
