Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Salt

Illustration of salt (yan) 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. The text states: Salty is salty in sapor, cold in thermostatic character, and non-poisonous. It destroys ghosts, parasites and infection (gui gu zhu), and heals covert sores (or invisible worm sores, nichuang) of the lower body. Salt water can bring about the vomiting of phlegm and accumulations in the chest, relieve acute pain in the heart and stomach, and staunch bleeding gums. Taken to excess, it harms the lungs, mars the appearance, and darkens the skin.

Salt (yan)