Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Cooking-liquid water

Illustration of cooking-liquid water (chuitang shui) from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour. Cooking-liquid water is the liquid left in the pot after boiling or steaming food. The text states: If one uses cooking-liquid water to wash one's face in the morning, one will lose one's good looks. If one uses it to bathe one's body, one is liable to contract ringworm.

Chuitang shui (cooking-liquid water)