Chinese Materia Dietetica, Ming: Autumn dew

Illustration of 'Autumn dew' (qiu lushui) 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. Autumn dew refers to dew gathered from plants on autumn mornings. This painting shows two men collecting dew in bowls, their faces expressive of rapt concentration. The text states: Autumn dew is sweet in sapor, neutral in thermostatic character, and non-poisonous. Autumn dew collected from a hundred different plants can cure a hundred illnesses; it can relieve wasting thirst (xiaoke, diabetes), make the body light, stave off hunger, and improve the appearance of the skin. Dew collected from pine trees improves the vision; dew collected from a hundred flowers has cosmetic properties.

Qiu lushui (Autumn dew)