Compendium of Materia Medica, Volumes 5-6

for Volume Five

Water from Washing Plates in Three Households from the Supplement

original: 三家洗盤水 (Sanjia xipan shui). This refers to water collected after washing dishes from three different families. In folk medicine, such substances were often used in ritualized healings or to treat "fright" in children.

Whetstone Water from the Compendium

original: 磨刀水 (Modaoshui). The slurry or water used when sharpening blades on a stone. Rich in mineral particulates, it was historically applied topically to reduce swelling or treat skin sores.

Indigo-Soaking Water from the Compendium

original: 浸藍水 (Jinlanshui). Water in which indigo plants have been soaked for dyeing. It was believed to have cooling properties and was used as an antidote for certain poisons or to treat inflammatory conditions.

Water from a Pig’s Trough from the Supplement

original: 豬槽中水 (Zhucaozhongshui). Water found in a pig's feeding or drinking trough. Ancient texts occasionally prescribed such "unclean" waters for specific conditions like snakebites or as a desperate measure for certain pediatric illnesses.

Water from Market Gate Cesspools from the Supplement

original: 市門溺坑水 (Shimen nikeng shui). Water collected from public latrines or pits near busy market entrances. In the logic of ancient medicine, the "intense" nature of such locations gave the water specific (albeit foul) therapeutic properties for severe blockages.

Water from Washing Hands and Feet from the Compendium

original: 洗手足水 (Xi shouzu shui). Residual water from washing limbs. Like other domestic waters, it was categorized for its symbolic or physical properties in treating minor localized ailments.

Baby-Bathing Water from the Compendium

original: 洗兒湯 (Xiertang). The water or herbal decoction used to wash a newborn or young child. It was often kept or used as a base for other pediatric treatments.

On the Toxic Nature of Various Waters from the Supplement

original: 諸水有毒 (Zhushui youdu). A concluding section for the "Water" category, warning readers about the dangers of stagnant, contaminated, or naturally poisonous water sources.