Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Plants and Trees

Swelling-Vanisher

The Swelling-Vanisheroriginal: "Jianzhongxiao" (見腫消) grows in Yunzhoua historical prefecture located in modern-day Gao’an, Jiangxi Province. Its flavor is sour and astringent, and it possesses a slight toxicity.

In the spring, it produces seedlings and leaves. The stems are purple in color and reach a height of one to two feet. The leaves resemble those of the mulberry tree but have a glossy finish; the surface of the foliage displays a bluish-purple and reddish hue.

There is no specific season required for harvesting. Local people frequently take the seedlings and leaves, pound them into a pulporiginal: "daolan" (擣爛), and apply them as a topical dressing to sores and ulcersoriginal: "tiechuang" (貼瘡).