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

Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Volume on Grasses and Trees I

Page 10

Ox-knee (Continued)

original: 牛膝 (Niuxi); Achyranthes bidentata.

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, and its nature is neutral. It is primarily used to treat "cold dampness" a traditional medical category of ailment characterized by joint pain and stiffness and to strengthen the sinews and bones.

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Motherwort Seed

original: 茺蔚子 (Chongweizi); the seeds of Leonurus japonicus. Today, the plant is more commonly known as "Mother-Benefitting Herb" (Yimucao), but this historical entry focuses specifically on the seeds.

The accompanying woodcut illustration depicts the Motherwort plant, showing its characteristic deeply lobed leaves and the whorls of small flowers and seeds that cluster around the stem at the leaf axils.

Motherwort Seed is also known by the names Beneficial Mother original: 益母 (Yimu) and White Flower Herb. It grows in the wild fields and along the banks of ponds. The plant features a square stem and grows to a height of three or four feet.

The leaves grow in pairs opposite each other. In the height of summer, small purple-red flowers bloom in dense clusters around the stem nodes. The seeds are triangular and dark brown, appearing in the autumn.

The seeds are the primary part used in medicine. They are known for their ability to brighten the eyes, replenish the "essence" original: 精 (Jing); the fundamental life force or vital substance in traditional thought, and regulate the blood. It is a cooling herb, particularly favored for treating conditions related to "internal heat" and women's health.