Illustration of 'steamer-vapour 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 depicts the collection of steamer-vapour water (zengqi shui) from a zengzi - a cask-like vessel without a base, containing a steamer tray, which was used to cook rice. wo men are shown by a cooking stove, one tending to the fire and the other to the rice steamer. The steamer is positioned on top of a pot of a pot of boiling water, and while the rice is being steamed, the condensed vapour is collected in a bowl placed inside the steamer.
The text states: Steamer water promotes hair growth. If it is combed and massaged into an infant's scalp each morning, a gradual improvement will be seen.
