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[Camellia]
(From *Bencao Gangmu*)
【Names】Li Shizhen said: Its leaves resemble those of the tea plant (*Camellia sinensis*), and it can be used to make a drink, hence the name "Cha" (Tea).
【Collected Explanations】Li Shizhen said: Camellia grows in the southern regions. It is a tree, reaching heights of up to one zhang (approx. 3.3 meters), with interlaced branches and trunks. The leaves are somewhat similar to tea leaves but are thicker, harder, and have distinct veins; they are broad in the middle and pointed at both ends, green on the upper surface and pale on the lower surface. It blooms in deep winter, with red petals and yellow stamens. *Ge Gu Lun* states: There are several varieties of flowers: Baozhu (Treasure Pearl) camellia, where flowers cluster like pearls, is the finest; Hailiu (Pomegranate) camellia has green calyxes; Shiliu (Pomegranate-patterned) camellia has mottled flowers; Zhi Zhu (Azalea) camellia has flowers resembling Rhododendron; Gongfen (Palace Pink) camellia and Chuanzhu (String of Pearls) camellia are all pinkish-red. There are also names such as Yi Nian Hong (One-Pinch Red), Qian Ye Hong (Thousand-Petal Red), and Qian Ye Bai (Thousand-Petal White), too numerous to count, with slight variations in leaves. Some say there are also yellow ones. *Yu Heng Zhi* records: In Guangnan, there is Nan Shan (South Mountain) camellia, whose flowers are twice as large as those in the Central Plains, slightly pale in color, with thin leaves covered in hair. The fruit resembles a pear, as large as a fist, containing several seeds the size of soap nuts. Zhou Ding Wang’s *Jiu Huang Ben Cao* states: Young leaves of camellia can be eaten after being blanched in boiling water and rinsed; they can also be steamed, dried, and used as a beverage.
Flower
【Aroma and Flavor】Missing.
【Indications】Treats hematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), and intestinal wind bleeding (blood in stool due to wind-heat or damp-heat).
Use the red flowers, grind them into powder, mix with children's urine, ginger juice, and wine, then take orally. This can substitute for Yujin (Curcuma aromatica / Turmeric Tuber) (cited from Zhu Zhenheng). For scalds and burns, grind into powder, mix with Sesame Oil (Sesami Oleum), and apply topically.
Seed
【Indications】Treats postpartum syncope (note: original text "fa " appears incomplete/erroneous, contextually referring to gynecological blood disorders), grind...

[Winter Sweet]
(From *Bencao Gangmu*)
【Names】Yellow Plum Blossom.
Li Shizhen said: This plant does not originally belong to the Prunus mume (Plum) category. Because it blooms at the same time as plum blossoms, has a similar fragrance, and its color resembles beeswax, it acquired this name.
【Collected Explanations】Li Shizhen said: Winter sweet is a small shrub with clustered branches and pointed leaves. There are three common varieties: Those grown from seeds without grafting bloom with small flowers in the twelfth lunar month with a light fragrance, named Gou Ying Mei (Dog Fly Plum); those that have been grafted and have sparse flowers, blooming with closed buds, named Qing Kou Mei (Chime Mouth Plum); and those with dense flowers, strong fragrance, and deep yellow color resembling rosewood, named Tan Xiang Mei (Sandalwood Plum), which is of the best quality. The fruit hangs like a bell, pointed and long, over one cun (approx. 3.3 cm), containing seeds inside. The bark, when soaked in water and used to grind ink, produces a glossy sheen.
Flower
【Aroma and Flavor】Acrid (Xin), Warm, non-toxic.
【Indications】Resolves summer heat and generates body fluids (Li Shizhen).