Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Volume 9 of Herbs and Trees

Page 106, Section 2

There are two types of pine. Only the variety with five needlesoriginal: 五葉 (wǔyè). Most likely referring to Pinus armandii or the Chinese White Pine, which is distinguished from the more common two-needle species by its edible seeds. produces seeds. Within the borders of Taizhou Prefecturemodern-day Zhejiang province, a variety called the "Gold Pine" is found; its branches hang down like supple willowsoriginal: 弱柳 (ruòliǔ), and it bears seeds like green pearls. These seeds take three years to fully ripen.

Pines grow in the valleys of Mount Taioriginal: 泰山 (Tàishān). The most sacred of China's Five Great Mountains, often associated with longevity and the divine in historical texts.. Their resin is known by the names Pine Pasteoriginal: 松膏 (sōnggāo) or Pine Fatoriginal: 松肪 (sōngfáng). It has a bitter yet sweet taste, is warm in nature, and is non-toxic. It is primarily used to treat carbuncles, malignant sores, scalp rashes, alopeciaoriginal: 白禿 (báitū); literally "white baldness," referring to fungal infections or patchy hair loss., scabies, and Wind-Cold humorsoriginal: 風氣 (fēngqì). In traditional medicine, "Wind" is a pathogen responsible for many sudden-onset or wandering pains.. It stabilizes the Five Visceraoriginal: 五藏 (wǔzàng). The functional systems of the Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney., removes heat trapped in the stomach, and addresses dry throat, wasting-and-thirst disorderoriginal: 消渴 (xiāokě). A traditional diagnosis similar to modern diabetes, characterized by extreme thirst and weight loss., as well as Wind-Numbnessoriginal: 風痺 (fēngbì) and dead skin. The red variety of resin is used specifically for severe numbness.

The fruit the pine nut is bitter and warm in nature and is non-toxic. It is used to treat Wind-Numbness, cold humors, and physical frailty or shortness of breath; it is used to supplement "deficiencies" in the body's constitution.

The needles are bitter and warm; they treat rheumatismoriginal: 風濕 (fēngshī) and scrofulaoriginal: 瘰癧 (luǒlì). Chronic swelling of the lymph nodes., promote hair growth, and stabilize the Five Viscera.

Pine Knotsoriginal: 松節 (sōngjié). The resin-rich joints or knots found in the wood. are warm in nature. They are primarily used for all types of chronic joint pain caused by "Wind" and for numbness and pain in the legs due to "Wind-deficiency."

The yellow powder found on the flowers is called Pine Yelloworiginal: 松黄 (sōnghuáng). Pine pollen.. If one burns the branches and collects the liquid that drips from the ends, it is called Pine Pitchoriginal: 松瀝 (sōnglì), which is used to treat skin sores on cattle and horses.

The green coating found upon the bark is called Aina Incenseoriginal: 艾納香 (àinàxiāng). In this context, it refers to the lichen or moss growing on the tree, used for its aromatic qualities.. It is used when blending various aromatic incenses; its smoke is prized because it does not disperse easily.