Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Volume...

original: 三才圖會 (Sāncái Túhuì); a renowned Chinese encyclopedia compiled during the Ming Dynasty by Wang Qi and Wang Siyi, covering a vast range of subjects from astronomy to biology.

Chaste Tree

original: 牡荊 (Mǔ jīng); identified as Vitex negundo, also known as the Chinese Chaste Tree. It is a hardy shrub valued in traditional medicine for its seeds and stems.

It grows in the mountain valleys of Hejian, Nanyang, and Wanju These are historical regions in modern-day Hebei and Henan provinces, or on the high banks of Pingshou Duxiang, as well as in open fields. It is commonly known as Yellow Bramble original: 黃荊 (Huáng jīng). Its branches and stems are firm and strong, growing as a standalone shrub rather than as a climbing vine; for this reason, it is called "Male" original: 牡 (mǔ), a term often used in classical Chinese botany to denote plants that are sturdy, non-vining, or considered "potent" in a masculine sense.

The leaves resemble those of the Castor Bean original: 蓖麻 (bìmá) but are thinner and more sparse. The flowers are red and grow in spikes. The seeds are small and yellow, roughly the size of hemp seeds. Some say this is the same as the "Small Bramble."

The seeds should be harvested in the eighth and ninth lunar months and dried in the shade.

Properties and Usage:
The taste is bitter, its nature is warm, and it is non-toxic. It is primarily used to eliminate "cold and heat" This refers to alternating chills and fever, or deep-seated pathogenic factors located between the bones. It facilitates the flow of stomach qi The vital energy of the digestive system; ensuring it flows correctly prevents nausea and bloating, stops coughing, and directs qi Life force or breath downward.

It is also named Sheep’s Barrier original: 羊檻 (Yáng jiàn) and Hollow Sparse original: 空疏 (Kōng shū). The wood's grain is white and the center is hollow; if a branch is cut and planted, it will take root and grow.