Bencao yuanshi (Origins of Materia Medica) by Li Zhongli is a herbal in 12 volumes, containing 379 illustrations. It was first published in 1612. This illustration is taken from the revised edition of Ge Ding, engraved in 1638 (11th year of the Chongwen reign period of the Ming dynasty, Wu Yi year).
Li Zhongli writes: Caulis impatientis (tougucao) grows wild in the countryside. It grows to approximately 1 chi (Chinese foot, c. 1/3 metre). It has a rounded stem and pointed leaves with serrated edges. The flowers are yellow and the fruits resemble castor beans (bimazi). The entire plant is used in medicine. It is sweet and pungent in sapor, cold in thermostatic character and non-poisonous. It has the medicinal properties of dispelling wind and removing dampness, relaxing the tendons and unblocking the tributary channels (shujin huo luo). It is used to treat joint pain caused by wind-damp (feng shi bitong), contraction of the sinews and bones, the early stages of septic swellings, eczema, mange, etc.
