Illustration of stalactite 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 is headed quanxue shui -- spring-cave water; however the corresponding entry in the text refers to ruxue shui, i.e water from a limestone cave with stalactites (shizhongru). The illustration shows a spring gushing from a cave containing stalactites. The water is being collected by a man who holds a bowl in his left hand and a scoop in his right hand.
The text states: Stalactite-cave water is heavier than other kinds of water. When it is boiled, salt particles appear on the surface. Stalactite-cave water is sweet in sapor and non-poisonous. Drinking stalactite-cave water can make one sturdy and healthy and help preserve a handsome youthful appearance. It has similar medicinal properties to human milk [Translator's note: the lexeme ru in ruxue shui -- stalactite-cave water -- is a homonym of ru, milk]. It is extremely beneficial to the health to use stalactite-cave water for cooking and liquor making. Fish raised in stalactite-cave water have healthy-giving and tonic properties when eaten.
