Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica

I continued: "If those who supplemented the works of Master Haizang original: "Haizang" (海藏), the literary name of Wang Haogu, a famous 13th-century physician who expanded upon earlier medical theories. had no successors, who then could broaden the utility of their teachings? Consider the example of Shihu Dendrobium orchid, used to nourish "yin" and promote fluids.; those currently produced in Huoshan are small in shape but sweet in flavor. Or consider Baizhu White Atractylodes, a vital root for digestive health.; those now coming from Yuqian have spotted roots and great medicinal potency. These are all examples of shifts in production that have occurred in recent times. If these are not recorded, then as time passes, no one will recognize them.

How then would we distinguish them from the 'Yuan Huangji' An obscure medicinal substance mentioned in the Records of the Hundred Yue. used to treat swellings and toxins in the Records of the Hundred Yue, or the use of 'Water Plum Blossoms' to treat dysentery mentioned in Master Sun’s Talks from the Garden original: "Sun Gong Tanpu" (孫公談圃), a collection of anecdotes by Sun Sheng (1040–1094).? In later generations, people will not even know what these things are, so how could they possibly distinguish their colors or flavors?

Furthermore, Tobacco original: "Yancao" (烟草). Tobacco was a relatively new arrival in China during this era, having been introduced in the late Ming dynasty. was described by Master Jingyue Zhang Jiebin (1563–1640), a famous physician of the Ming Dynasty., and Bird's Nest original: "Yanwo" (燕窩). Used as a restorative tonic; its medicinal use became prominent after Li Shizhen's time. was verified by Master Shiwan Zhang Lu (1617–1699), also known as Zhang Shiwan.. By reading a single volume of Master Miao's Commentary on the Classics original: "Jingshu" (經疏), referring to Miao Xiyong’s 17th-century work Shennong Bencao Jing Shuzheng., one realizes that correcting omissions and errors truly makes one a loyal servant to Master Li Shizhen. In that light, how could my work of 'gathering leftovers' A humble reference to the title of his book, Shiyi (Gathering Leftovers / Supplement). be feared as 'lengthening the crane's leg' or 'adding a second heel'?" A classical idiom meaning to perform a redundant or unnatural action that ruins the original beauty or utility.

The guest replied, "Indeed, you are right." He then instructed me to place these words at the beginning to serve as a preface.

In the eighth month of the Yiyou year of the Qianlong reign September/October 1765, Zhao Xuemin, also known as Shuxuan, of Qiantang, inscribed this at the Double Inkstone Thatched Hut.