Ming herbal (painting): Water chestnut

Monochrome painting of water chestnut (lingjiao) from Diannan bencao tushuo (The Illustrated Yunnan Pharmacopoeia). Diannan bencao tushuo was compiled by the Ming (1368-1644) writer Lan Mao in the 14th-15th century. The word 'Dian' in the title refers to the Yunnan region, in the Southwest of China. It provides a record of the plants and other substances commonly used for medicinal purposes in Yunnan in the Ming period. Most of the entries are illustrated with ink and wash paintings. This manuscript copy was executed in 1773 (38th year of the Qianlong reign period of the Qing dynasty, Gui Si year) by Zhu Jingyang. In the text, Lan Mao states: Water chestnut is sweet in sapor, slightly astringent and neutral in thermostatic character. It has the medicinal properties of clearing the effects of drink from the spleen to restore sobriety; invigorating the spleen and relieving the centre. It is used to treat damage to the body from alcohol poisoning, and weakness and vacuity of the spleen and stomach.

water chestnut (lingjiao) is insipid in sapor, neutral in thermostatic character, and slightly bitter and astringent. Its main applications are in clearing the effects of drink from the spleen to restore sobriety and relieving the centre.