original: 三才圖會 (San Cai Tu Hui); a renowned Ming Dynasty encyclopedia compiled by Wang Qi and Wang Siyi, published in 1609.

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Ox-knee

original: 牛膝 (Niuxi); Achyranthes bidentata. The name is derived from the plant's prominent stem nodes, which resemble the knee joints of an ox.

Ox-knee grows in the river valleys of Huanei a historical region in modern Henan Province and in Linqu. Today, it is also found in the regions of Jiang-Huai the lands between the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, Fujian, Guangdong, and Guanzhong the Wei River valley in Shaanxi. However, none are as high in quality as the authentic variety produced in Huaizhou.

In the spring, it produces sprouts with stems two to three feet high. These are bluish-purple with nodes that look like the knees of a crane or an ox; it is named for this resemblance. The leaves are pointed and round, growing in pairs opposite each other. Flowers emerge from the nodes in the form of spikes. In autumn, it bears very fine seeds.

There are two varieties of this plant: those with purple stems and large nodes are considered "male," while those with green, slender stems are "female." The roots are harvested in the second, eighth, and tenth months and should be dried in the shade. Roots that are exceptionally long, large, supple, and moist are considered the best. The stems and leaves may also be used on their own.

It is also called Hundredfold original: 百倍 (Baibei); likely referring to the plant's potent medicinal efficacy or its ability to strengthen the body many times over.. Its flavor is bitter and sour; its nature is balanced and non-toxic. It is primarily used to treat "atrophy and numbness" original: 痿痺 (weibi); a traditional medical term for conditions involving weakness, loss of motor function, or numbness in the limbs caused by cold and dampness, as well as spasms of the limbs and knee pain that prevents one from bending or stretching. It tonifies the center strengthens the digestive and internal systems, "mends what is severed" refers to the repair of broken bones or torn sinews, and relieves pain in the brain, waist, and spine. It also treats obstructed menstruation in women.