Ming herbal (painting): Lyonia ovalifolia

Painting of lyonia ovalifolia (nanzhu) in the meticulous (gongbi) style, in colour on silk, from Bencao tupu (Illustrated Herbal). The painted illustrations in Bencao tupu were jointly executed by Zhou Hu and Zhou Xi in 1644 (the final year of the Ming period). The explanatory texts were provided by Zhou Rongqi. The book was not completed: each volume was to have contained 14-15 paintings, but only 29 are extant. Zhou Rongqi writes: Lyonia ovalifolia is also known as nanxu, weinamu, nantong (polar-paulownia) and wufan cao (lit. crow's food herb). It grows in mountainous areas and is an evergreen. The plant grows to 3-5 chi in height (1 chi [Chinese foot] = c. 1/3 m.). It has small leaves resembling chinaberry (kulian) and spherical red berries. Both the berries and the leaves are used in medicine. The Lyonia ovalifolia berry, called nanzhu zi, is sweet in sapor, neutral in thermostatic character, and non-poisonous. It has the medicinal effects of strengthening essence/sperm (jing) and [?]. It is used to treat physical debility and enfeebled Qi, nocturnal emission and involuntary ejaculation. Lyonia ovalifolia leaf is acid in sapor, astringent, neutral in thermostatic character, and non-poisonous. It has the effects of replenishing Essential Qi (jingqi), strengthening the bones and sinews, improving vision, and relieving diarrhoea. It is used to treat physical vacuity, frailty and emaciation, flaccidity of the sinews and bones, somnolence and lethargy, chronic diarrhoea, etc.

Lyonia ovalifolia (nanxu)