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Traced copy of an illustration from Bencao pinhui jingyao (Materia Medica Containing Essential and Important Material Arranged in Systematic Order, completed 1505), in red and black ink. In 1503, the Ming emperor Li Zong put imperial physician Liu Wentai in charge of compiling a new herbal (bencao). The resulting work, which ran to 42 volumes, contained entries on 1815 pharmaceutical plants and other substances, with 1358 full-colour illustrations by artists including Wang Shichang. It was completed in the spring of 1505. However, in the summer of that year, The Emperor contracted a fever, which unsuccessfully treated by Liu Wentai, proved fatal. As a result Liu Wentai was banished from court, and the herbal was not allowed to be engraved or published. The original manuscript was preserved in the imperial palace, where only a select few officials were allowed to consult or copy it. The exemplar held in the Library of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a traced facsimile made in the Ming (1368-1644) period by an unknown hand.

he illustration shows the appearance of the domestic red cockerel. Bencao pinhui jingyao states: The red cockerel is first mentioned in Shennong bencao jing (The Divine Farmer's Canon of Materia Medica). It has the effect of warming the centre and replenishing deficiencies,replenishing Qi and augmenting essence (jing), and strengthening and invigorating the body and mind. It can be used to treat a weak and debilitated constitution, insufficiency of Qi and blood, profuse menstrual bleeding and metrostaxis, etc.

Chinese Materia Medica illustration, Ming: Red cockerel

Traced copy of an illustration from Bencao pinhui jingyao (Materia Medica Containing Essential and Important Material Arranged in Systematic Order, completed 1505), in red and black ink. In 1503, the Ming emperor Li Zong put imperial physician Liu Wentai in charge of compiling a new herbal (bencao). The resulting work, which ran to 42 volumes, contained entries on 1815 pharmaceutical plants and other substances, with 1358 full-colour illustrations by artists including Wang Shichang. It was completed in the spring of 1505. However, in the summer of that year, The Emperor contracted a fever, which unsuccessfully treated by Liu Wentai, proved fatal. As a result Liu Wentai was banished from court, and the herbal was not allowed to be engraved or published. The original manuscript was preserved in the imperial palace, where only a select few officials were allowed to consult or copy it. The exemplar held in the Library of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a traced facsimile made in the Ming (1368-1644) period by an unknown hand.

This is a botanical illustration of cardamom (doukou or caodoukou) from Yizhou [now in Guangxi province], showing the appearance of the plant. Bencao pinhui jingyao states: Cardamom is first cited as a medicinal substance in Mingyi bielu (Additional Records of Famous Physicians). The leaves of the plant resemble Alpinia japonica (shanjiang) or Pollia japonica (duruo), the roots resemble Alpinia officinarum (gaoliangjiang), and the fruits resemble pomegranates. Cardamom is pungent in sapor and warm in nature. It has the effect of warming the centre and dispersing cold; moving Qi and drying up dampness; halting vomiting and alleviating pain. It can be used to treat cold-damp huoluan (cholera and similar illnesses), cold pain in the stomach, nausea and retrograde Qi (ou'e qi ni), etc.

Chinese Materia Medica illustration, Ming: Cardamom of Yizhou

Traced copy of an illustration from Bencao pinhui jingyao (Materia Medica Containing Essential and Important Material Arranged in Systematic Order, completed 1505), in red and black ink. In 1503, the Ming emperor Li Zong put imperial physician Liu Wentai in charge of compiling a new herbal (bencao). The resulting work, which ran to 42 volumes, contained entries on 1815 pharmaceutical plants and other substances, with 1358 full-colour illustrations by artists including Wang Shichang. It was completed in the spring of 1505. However, in the summer of that year, The Emperor contracted a fever, which unsuccessfully treated by Liu Wentai, proved fatal. As a result Liu Wentai was banished from court, and the herbal was not allowed to be engraved or published. The original manuscript was preserved in the imperial palace, where only a select few officials were allowed to consult or copy it. The exemplar held in the Library of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a traced facsimile made in the Ming (1368-1644) period by an unknown hand.

The illustration shows the medicinal substance known as dragon bone. Bencao pinhui jingyao states: Dragon bone is first mentioned in Shennong bencao jing (The Divine Farmer's Canon of Materia Medica). 'Dragon bone' refers to the fossilized remains of prehistoric creatures. It was believed to calm fright and quieten the mind; arrest sweating and check seminal emission; and strengthen the intestine so as to stop diarrhoea. It was used to treat heart palpitations and 'fright epilepsy'(jingxian); insomnia and excessive dreaming; excessive sweating; profuse menstrual bleeding and vaginal discharge; diarrhoea and loose stools, etc.

Chinese Materia Medica illustration, Ming: Dragon bone

Traced copy of an illustration from Bencao pinhui jingyao (Materia Medica Containing Essential and Important Material Arranged in Systematic Order, completed 1505), in red and black ink. In 1503, the Ming emperor Li Zong put imperial physician Liu Wentai in charge of compiling a new herbal (bencao). The resulting work, which ran to 42 volumes, contained entries on 1815 pharmaceutical plants and other substances, with 1358 full-colour illustrations by artists including Wang Shichang. It was completed in the spring of 1505. However, in the summer of that year, The Emperor contracted a fever, which unsuccessfully treated by Liu Wentai, proved fatal. As a result Liu Wentai was banished from court, and the herbal was not allowed to be engraved or published. The original manuscript was preserved in the imperial palace, where only a select few officials were allowed to consult or copy it. The exemplar held in the Library of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a traced facsimile made in the Ming (1368-1644) period by an unknown hand.

The illustration shows Scutellaria baicalensis (huangqin) from Chu prefecture (now in Anhui province) in plant form. Bencao pinhui jingyao states: It is first mentioned in Mingyi bielu (Additional Records of Famous Physicians). Huangqin from Chu prefecture is one of several regional varieties of this herb. The shoots grow to a height of 1-2 chi (1 chi [Chinese foot] = c. 1/3 m.). It has opposed leaves, similar to bamboo leaves in appearance but shorter. The stems are soft and tender. The flowers are white or greenish. The roots resemble fresh, tender ginger, and are yellow, plump and fleshy. Huangqin is sweet in sapor and neutral in nature. It is effective in tonifying the centre and replenishing Qi (bu zhong yi qi), nourishing the Five Viscera, strengthening the sinews and reinforcing the bones, making the body light and increasing longevity. It can be used to treat deficiency and impairment due to overexertion (xusun laoshang), weakness and flaccidity of the bones and tendons (jingu weiruo), deficiency of the spleen and stomach (pi wei buzu), Yin deficiency in the heart and lungs (xin fei yin kui), etc.

Chinese Materia Medica illustration, Ming: Huangqin

Traced copy of an illustration from Bencao pinhui jingyao (Materia Medica Containing Essential and Important Material Arranged in Systematic Order, completed 1505), in red and black ink. In 1503, the Ming emperor Li Zong put imperial physician Liu Wentai in charge of compiling a new herbal (bencao). The resulting work, which ran to 42 volumes, contained entries on 1815 pharmaceutical plants and other substances, with 1358 full-colour illustrations by artists including Wang Shichang. It was completed in the spring of 1505. However, in the summer of that year, The Emperor contracted a fever, which unsuccessfully treated by Liu Wentai, proved fatal. As a result Liu Wentai was banished from court, and the herbal was not allowed to be engraved or published. The original manuscript was preserved in the imperial palace, where only a select few officials were allowed to consult or copy it. The exemplar held in the Library of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a traced facsimile made in the Ming (1368-1644) period by an unknown hand.

 This is a botanical illustration of the damupi plant, showing the appearance of the plant. Bencao pinhui jingyao states: Damupi is first cited as a medicinal substance in Bencao tujing (Illustrated Pharmaceutical Classic). Damupi Is found in Shizhou (in today's Hubei province). The height of the plant varies. It keeps its leaves all year round and produces no fruit. It is bitter in sapor and warm in nature. It has the effect of clearing heat and removing toxins. It is used to treat conditions involving the proliferation and congestion of heat toxins within the body.

Chinese Materia Medica illustration, Ming: Damupi plant

Traced copy of an illustration from Bencao pinhui jingyao (Materia Medica Containing Essential and Important Material Arranged in Systematic Order, completed 1505), in red and black ink. In 1503, the Ming emperor Li Zong put imperial physician Liu Wentai in charge of compiling a new herbal (bencao). The resulting work, which ran to 42 volumes, contained entries on 1815 pharmaceutical plants and other substances, with 1358 full-colour illustrations by artists including Wang Shichang. It was completed in the spring of 1505. However, in the summer of that year, The Emperor contracted a fever, which unsuccessfully treated by Liu Wentai, proved fatal. As a result Liu Wentai was banished from court, and the herbal was not allowed to be engraved or published. The original manuscript was preserved in the imperial palace, where only a select few officials were allowed to consult or copy it. The exemplar held in the Library of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a traced facsimile made in the Ming (1368-1644) period by an unknown hand.

 This is a botanical illustration of Oenanthe javanica (shuiying) showing the appearance of the plant. Bencao pinhui jingyao states: Oenanthe javanica is first cited as a medicinal substance in Bencao tujing (Illustrated Pharmaceutical Classic). Oenanthe javanica grows in boggy soil or shallow water. The entire plant is used for medicinal purposes. It is bitter in sapor and cold in nature. It has the effect of clearing heat and removing damp; promoting diuresis and relieving swellings. It can be used to treat swollen feet and stiff knees, difficulty bending and stretching the limbs, aches and muscular constriction (juluan), etc.

Chinese Materia Medica illustration, Ming: Oenanthe javanica

Traced copy of an illustration from Bencao pinhui jingyao (Materia Medica Containing Essential and Important Material Arranged in Systematic Order, completed 1505), in red and black ink. In 1503, the Ming emperor Li Zong put imperial physician Liu Wentai in charge of compiling a new herbal (bencao). The resulting work, which ran to 42 volumes, contained entries on 1815 pharmaceutical plants and other substances, with 1358 full-colour illustrations by artists including Wang Shichang. It was completed in the spring of 1505. However, in the summer of that year, The Emperor contracted a fever, which unsuccessfully treated by Liu Wentai, proved fatal. As a result Liu Wentai was banished from court, and the herbal was not allowed to be engraved or published. The original manuscript was preserved in the imperial palace, where only a select few officials were allowed to consult or copy it. The exemplar held in the Library of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a traced facsimile made in the Ming (1368-1644) period by an unknown hand.

The illustration shows cinnabar in mineral form. Bencao pinhui jingyao states: Cinnabar is first first mentioned in Shennong bencao jing (The Divine Farmer's Canon of Materia Medica). It is known as dansha or zhusha, and belongs to the category of mineral drugs. It is found in rocks in remote mountainous areas. "Chenzhou" cinnabar refers to its place of origin. Cinnabar is sweet in sapor and somewhat cold in nature. It is highly effective in calming the mind, settling the spirit, improving the clarity of vision and removing heat toxins. It can be used to treat cold damage and seasonal disorders; pestilence (wenyi) and headache; high fever (zhuangre) with violent pulses; abscesses, boils and ulcers, etc.

Chinese Materia Medica illustration, Ming: Cinnabar

Traced copy of an illustration from Bencao pinhui jingyao (Materia Medica Containing Essential and Important Material Arranged in Systematic Order, completed 1505), in red and black ink. In 1503, the Ming emperor Li Zong put imperial physician Liu Wentai in charge of compiling a new herbal (bencao). The resulting work, which ran to 42 volumes, contained entries on 1815 pharmaceutical plants and other substances, with 1358 full-colour illustrations by artists including Wang Shichang. It was completed in the spring of 1505. However, in the summer of that year, The Emperor contracted a fever, which unsuccessfully treated by Liu Wentai, proved fatal. As a result Liu Wentai was banished from court, and the herbal was not allowed to be engraved or published. The original manuscript was preserved in the imperial palace, where only a select few officials were allowed to consult or copy it. The exemplar held in the Library of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a traced facsimile made in the Ming (1368-1644) period by an unknown hand.

 This is a botanical illustration of Cluster mallow (Malva verticillata L.) showing the appearance of the plant. Bencao pinhui jingyao states: Cluster mallow seeds (dongkui zi) are first cited as a medicinal substance in Shennong bencao jing (The Divine Farmer's Canon of Materia Medica). Cluster mallow is planted in the autumn and covered over during the winter. In the spring, it grow tall and produces seeds known as dongkui zi. The shoots and leaves can be used as a vegetable, which is given the name kuicai. Cluster mallow seeds is sweet in sapor and cold in nature. It has the effect of promoting urination and defecation; assisting lactation and draining pus. It can be used to treat dysuria, absence of lactation, food retention (jizhi) and constipation, etc.

Chinese Materia Medica illustration, Ming: Cluster mallow

Traced copy of an illustration from Bencao pinhui jingyao (Materia Medica Containing Essential and Important Material Arranged in Systematic Order, completed 1505), in red and black ink. In 1503, the Ming emperor Li Zong put imperial physician Liu Wentai in charge of compiling a new herbal (bencao). The resulting work, which ran to 42 volumes, contained entries on 1815 pharmaceutical plants and other substances, with 1358 full-colour illustrations by artists including Wang Shichang. It was completed in the spring of 1505. However, in the summer of that year, The Emperor contracted a fever, which unsuccessfully treated by Liu Wentai, proved fatal. As a result Liu Wentai was banished from court, and the herbal was not allowed to be engraved or published. The original manuscript was preserved in the imperial palace, where only a select few officials were allowed to consult or copy it. The exemplar held in the Library of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a traced facsimile made in the Ming (1368-1644) period by an unknown hand.

The illustration shows a cassia tree in blossom. Bencao pinhui jingyao states: Cassia is first mentioned in Mingyi bielu (Additional Records of Famous Physicians). It is extremely hot in nature, and sweet and pungent in sapor. Three parts of the plant - the bark, the inner bark and the twigs - are used for medicinal purposes. It warms the centre and replenishes deficiencies, gets rid of cold malignity (han xie), unblocks and promotes circulation in the blood vessels, and regulates the movement of Qi. It is used to treat exogenous wind malignity (waigan fengxie), joint pain caused by wind-damp (feng shi bitong), stagnation and blockage of the blood flow, cold pain in the epigastric region, etc.

Chinese Materia Medica illustration, Ming: Cassia blossom

Traced copy of an illustration from Bencao pinhui jingyao (Materia Medica Containing Essential and Important Material Arranged in Systematic Order, completed 1505), in red and black ink. In 1503, the Ming emperor Li Zong put imperial physician Liu Wentai in charge of compiling a new herbal (bencao). The resulting work, which ran to 42 volumes, contained entries on 1815 pharmaceutical plants and other substances, with 1358 full-colour illustrations by artists including Wang Shichang. It was completed in the spring of 1505. However, in the summer of that year, The Emperor contracted a fever, which unsuccessfully treated by Liu Wentai, proved fatal. As a result Liu Wentai was banished from court, and the herbal was not allowed to be engraved or published. The original manuscript was preserved in the imperial palace, where only a select few officials were allowed to consult or copy it. The exemplar held in the Library of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a traced facsimile made in the Ming (1368-1644) period by an unknown hand.

This illustration shows bees making honey. Fengmi is the generic term for honey, and Chuanzhou fengmi refers to honey from the Sichuan area. Bencao pinhui jingyao states: Shimi ('rock honey') is first cited as a medicinal substance in Shennong bencao jing (The Divine Farmer's Canon of Materia Medica). Shimi (rock honey), also known as yami (cliff honey), is made by a kind of black bees resembling horse-flies, whose habitat is high, rocky mountainous areas and caves. It is greenish and has a strong, rich flavour. It is sweet in sapor and neutral in nature. A viscous, yellowish-white substance, it has excellent effects of reinforcing the centre and replenishing Qi; lubricating and nourishing the zang and fu viscera; relaxing tension and relieving pain. It is used to treat deficiency and vacuity of Qi and blood, intestinal dryness and constipation, pain in the epigastric region (wanfu), etc.

Chinese Materia Medica illustration, Ming: Sichuan honey

Traced copy of an illustration from Bencao pinhui jingyao (Materia Medica Containing Essential and Important Material Arranged in Systematic Order, completed 1505), in red and black ink. In 1503, the Ming emperor Li Zong put imperial physician Liu Wentai in charge of compiling a new herbal (bencao). The resulting work, which ran to 42 volumes, contained entries on 1815 pharmaceutical plants and other substances, with 1358 full-colour illustrations by artists including Wang Shichang. It was completed in the spring of 1505. However, in the summer of that year, The Emperor contracted a fever, which unsuccessfully treated by Liu Wentai, proved fatal. As a result Liu Wentai was banished from court, and the herbal was not allowed to be engraved or published. The original manuscript was preserved in the imperial palace, where only a select few officials were allowed to consult or copy it. The exemplar held in the Library of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a traced facsimile made in the Ming (1368-1644) period by an unknown hand.

This is a botanical illustration of the flowers of Alpinia japonica (Shanjiang). Bencao pinhui jingyao states: The flowers, stems and leaves of Alpinia japonica are like those of the ginger plant, but the roots are inedible. The flowers also resemble cardamom (caodoukou). Alpinia japonica is pungent in sapor, warm in nature. It has the effect of regulating the centre and bringing down Qi; warming the centre and relieving pain; halting vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be used to treat cold pain in the epigastric region (wanfu), deficiency-cold in the stomach, huoluan (cholera and similar illnesses) with vomiting and diarrhoea, etc.

Chinese Materia Medica illustration, Ming: Alpinia japonica

Traced copy of an illustration from Bencao pinhui jingyao (Materia Medica Containing Essential and Important Material Arranged in Systematic Order, completed 1505), in red and black ink. In 1503, the Ming emperor Li Zong put imperial physician Liu Wentai in charge of compiling a new herbal (bencao). The resulting work, which ran to 42 volumes, contained entries on 1815 pharmaceutical plants and other substances, with 1358 full-colour illustrations by artists including Wang Shichang. It was completed in the spring of 1505. However, in the summer of that year, The Emperor contracted a fever, which unsuccessfully treated by Liu Wentai, proved fatal. As a result Liu Wentai was banished from court, and the herbal was not allowed to be engraved or published. The original manuscript was preserved in the imperial palace, where only a select few officials were allowed to consult or copy it. The exemplar held in the Library of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a traced facsimile made in the Ming (1368-1644) period by an unknown hand.
 This is a botanical illustration of sesame (huma), showing the appearance of the plant. The variety from Jinzhou (in today's Shanxi province) was highly regarded. Bencao pinhui jingyao states: Sesame is first cited as a medicinal substance in Shennong bencao jing (The Divine Farmer's Canon of Materia Medica). The shoots and stems of the sesame plant are similar to flax. The leaves are lustrous and rounded with a pointed tip. When young and tender, it can be cooked as a vegetable, and it is frequently eaten by Daoists. Sesame is sweet in sapor and neutral in nature. It has the effect of nourishing the liver and kidneys, reinforcing the five viscera, increasing physical strength, and stimulating the brain. It can be used to treat deficiency and vacuity of Qi and blood, insufficiency of the liver and kidneys, post partum debility, etc.

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