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 of the white pigeon/dove (bai ge) 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: The dove/pigeon (gezi) is often kept as a domestic fowl. The plumage has many colour varieties; for medicinal purposes, the white pigeon (dove) is mainly used. Pigeon flesh is salty in sapor, neutral in thermostatic character, and non-poisonous. It has the medicinal properties of dispelling wind, removing poisons and promoting the healing of wounds and lesions. It is used in the treatment of malign sores, mange (jiexuan), various kinds of drug poisoning, vitiligo (baidianfeng), liyangfeng (a skin condition -- leprosy? syphilis?), etc.
