Library

[Camellia]
Non-toxic.
Camellia flower (Shancha Hua) treats hematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), and bleeding from the intestines due to wind-heat. The red flowers are ground into powder, mixed with children's urine (Tongbian), ginger juice, and wine, and taken orally; it can substitute for Curcuma aromatica (Yujin, 郁金). (Zhu Zhenheng)
For burns and scalds, the seeds are ground into powder, mixed with sesame oil, and applied topically. (Compendium of Materia Medica)
Camellia seeds (Shancha Zi) treat postpartum hair loss in women. Ground into powder and sprinkled on the affected area. (Compendium of Materia Medica)

[Names]
(Li Shizhen says) Camellia, its leaves resemble those of tea trees and can be used for brewing tea, hence the name "Tea".

[Origin]
Camellia is produced in the southern regions.

[Quality and Morphology]
It is a tree growing up to one zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) high, with interlacing branches. The leaves somewhat resemble tea leaves but are thicker, harder, and have edges; they are broad in the middle and pointed at the tip, green on the surface and lighter on the back. It blooms in deep winter with red petals and yellow stamens. (Ge Gu Lun states) There are several varieties: Baozhu, where flower clusters resemble pearls, is the finest; Hailiu Cha has green calyxes; Shiliu Cha has speckled flowers; Zhizhu Cha resembles Rhododendron flowers; Gongfen Cha and Chuanzhu Cha are all pinkish-red; there is also Yiniang Hong, Qianye Hong, Qianye Bai, etc., too numerous to mention. The leaves vary slightly; some say there are also yellow ones. (Yu Heng Zhi states) In Guangnan, there is Nanshan Cha, with flowers twice the size of those in the Central Plains, pale in color, thin leaves with hairs, and fruits resembling pears.

[Wax Plum]
Non-toxic.
Wax plum flower (Lamei Hua) treats heatstroke and generates fluids. (Compendium of Materia Medica)

[Names]
(Li Shizhen says) It does not belong to the Plum category; because it blooms simultaneously with plum blossoms, has a similar fragrance, and a color resembling beeswax, it gets this name.

[Quality and Morphology]
(Li Shizhen says) Wax plum is a small shrub with clustered branches and pointed leaves. There are generally three types: Those grown from seeds without grafting bloom in the twelfth lunar month with small flowers and light fragrance, named Gouying Mei; those grafted with sparse blooming that remain closed when opening, named Qingkou Mei; those with dense blooming, strong fragrance, and deep yellow color resembling rosewood, named Tanxiang Mei, which is the best. The fruits resemble hanging bells, pointed and long, over one cun (approx. 3.3 cm), containing seeds within. The bark, when soaked in water, produces ink with luster.

[Color]
Yellow.

[Odor]
Fragrant.

[Taste]
Pungent.

[Nature]
Warm.

[Cotton]
Non-toxic.
White cotton and cotton cloth treat metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding) and metallic wounds. Burned to ash for use. (Compendium of Materia Medica)

[Names]
Gubei, Guzhong. (Li Shizhen says) There are two types of Cotton: Tree-like is called Gubei, herb-like is called Guzong. Written as "Jibei" is an error for "Gubei". Sanskrit calls it Danpo or Kalabojie.

[Origin]
(Li Shizhen says) Cotton has both tree and herb types. In Jiaozhou and Guangzhou, the Cotton tree is large as a person's embrace, branches like Paulownia, leaves large as walnut leaves. Blooms in autumn with red petals and yellow stamens, thick petals, many short flower chambers arranged closely. Fruits are fist-sized, containing white cotton and seeds inside; now commonly called Banzi Hua, erroneously known as Panhua. (Li Yanshou, History of the Southern Dynasties) Refers to Gubei from Linyi State, where cotton in flowers resembles goose down, extracted and spun into cloth. (Zhang Bo, Records of Wu) Refers to Cotton trees in Yongchang, Jiaozhou, taller than houses, unharvested for over ten years, fruits cup-sized, soft white cotton suitable for stuffing and coarse cloth; these refer to tree-like Cotton. In Jiangnan and north of the Huai River, planted Cotton has weak stems like vines, growing four to five chi (approx. 1.3-1.6 meters) high, leaves with three points like maple leaves. Blooms in autumn, yellow like sunflowers but smaller, also red or purple. Fruits peach-sized, containing white cotton and seeds the size of wutong seeds. There is also purple cotton, called Zimian Hua. (Li Yanshou, History of the Southern Dynasties) Refers to Gaochang State having grass, fruits like cocoons, silk inside named Baidie, made into fabric very soft and white. (Shen Huaiyuan, Records of Southern Yue) Refers to Guzong vines in Guizhou, fruits like goose down, kernels like pearls; kernels extracted and spun into silk-cotton, dyed into patterned cloth; these refer to herb-like Cotton. This type originated from the Southern Barbarians, entered Jiangnan at the end of the Song Dynasty, and is now widespread in Jiangbei and the Central Plains. One obtains cotton without silkworms and cloth without hemp, benefiting the world greatly. Furthermore, Records of Southern Yue state that Nanzhao tribes do not raise silkworms but collect Sorbus seeds' white fluff, stitch it into thread, weave into fabric named Suoluo Longduan. (Zhu Mu, Gazetteer of Geography) States Pingmian produces Baluo trees, tall up to four or five zhang, fruits contain cotton, stitched and woven into white felt Duluomian. These are also types of Banzi Hua, each with different names.

[Color]
White, also purple cotton exists.

[Season]
Cotton in Jiaozhou and Guangzhou blooms in autumn; Cotton planted in Jiangnan and north of the Huai River blooms in late April.