Header: Ox-knee

Ox-knee

original: 牛膝 (Niuxi); Achyranthes bidentata. The name "Ox-knee" refers to the prominent, swollen nodes on the plant's stem, which traditional herbalists thought resembled the knee joint of an ox.

The illustration depicts a "Niu Xi" (Ox-knee) plant. It shows an upright stem with pairs of leaves and long, slender flower spikes. In a style typical of the Ming Dynasty, the plant is shown growing alongside decorative "scholar's rocks," blending scientific botanical detail with traditional landscape art.

original: 三才圖會 (San Cai Tu Hui); a famous illustrated encyclopedia published in 1609 during the Ming Dynasty, intended to catalog all knowledge of the time.

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Dodder Seed

original: 菟絲子 (Tusizi); the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis. A parasitic vine, it is highly valued in traditional medicine for strengthening the kidneys and liver.

Dodder Seed grows in the river valleys and fields of Korea original: 朝鮮 (Chaoxian). Between those from Korea and those from Wangu Ju Wangu refers to a historical region in modern-day Henan province; the gloss "Ju" completes the historical name of the Wangu District, which variety is superior?

In summer, it produces sprouts that look like silk threads. These creep and spread over other grasses and trees. Some say it has no roots of its own and grows instead by drawing in the vital energy original: 氣 (qi) of the air. In the sixth or seventh months, it bears seeds that are extremely fine, resembling silkworm eggs and colored like yellow clay. In the ninth month, these are harvested and dried in the sun. They are most effective when prepared with wine A common technique in Chinese pharmacy used to enhance the "warming" properties of a herb and improve circulation.

There are two varieties: the yellow and fine type is called Red Cord original: 赤綱 (Chigang), while the lighter-colored and larger type is called Rabbit’s Coil original: 菟纍 (Tulei). Their medicinal effects are identical.

Regarding the names Tangmeng, Nüluo, and Tusizi: the Explanations original: 爾雅 (Erya); the oldest surviving Chinese dictionary, often used to standardize names of plants and animals state that Tang, Meng, Nüluo, and Tusizi are four names for the same thing. However, the Classic of... The text cuts off here; it likely refers to the Shennong Bencao Jing (Divine Farmer’s Classic of Materia Medica), which is the foundation of Chinese herbalism