Ming herbal (painting): Fig

Monochrome painting of a fig tree (wuhuaguo, ficus carica) 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: The fig is sweet in sapor, neutral in thermostatic character, and non-poisonous. This medicament has the medicinal properties of stimulating the appetite, invigorating the spleen and relieving dysentery. It can be used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery, sore throats, digestive problems, etc. Boiled as a decoction, it is efficacious for fumigating and bathing sores and wounds, and it is wonderfully effective when applied with the leaves.

The fig (wuhuaguo, ficus carica) is sweet in sapor, neutral in thermostatic character, and non-poisonous. Its medicinal uses are for stimulating the appetite, invigorating the spleen, stopping diarrhoea and dysentery and curing sore throats. Decocted in water, it is most excellent for bathing wounds and sores, and it is wonderfully effective when applied with the leaves.