⚠The text in the left margin is partially cut off and shows signs of woodblock wear.

Red Arrow

Mountain Herbs: Volume Seven

Classified Materia Medica? original: 證類本草, Zhènglèi Běncǎo; a famous 12th-century pharmaceutical encyclopedia Red Arrow Mountain Herbs: Volume Seven

Red Arrow Red Arrow of Yanzhou Yanzhou is a historical region located in modern-day Shandong Province

The illustration displays two varieties of Gastrodia elata. On the right, labeled simply "Red Arrow," the artist emphasizes the tall, leafless flowering stalk that resembles an arrow shaft. On the left, the "Red Arrow of Yanzhou" provides a more detailed view of the underground tuber—commonly known today as Tianma—and the distinctive scales on the stalk.

Technical Terms

Red Arrow original: 赤箭, Chìjiàn: The ancient name for the stalk of Gastrodia elata, an orchid used in traditional medicine to treat "wind" disorders such as dizziness and seizures.
Mountain Herbs original: 山草, Shāncǎo: A classification in historical herbals for plants that primarily grow in wild, mountainous elevations.
Materia Medica original: 本草, Běncǎo: The study of medicinal substances; often refers to the specific genre of literature cataloging these items.