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Li Shizhen stated: Water is the image of the Kan trigram. Its character written horizontally appears as "氵" (water radical), and vertically as "川" (river). Its substance is purely Yin, while its function is purely Yang. Ascending, it transforms into rain, dew, frost, and snow; descending, it gathers into seas, rivers, springs, and wells. Whether flowing or still, cold or warm, these variations arise because the Qi it embodies differs; whether sweet, bland, salty, or bitter, these tastes differ in their nature upon entering the human body. Therefore, ancient people distinguished the waters and soils of the Nine Provinces to discern differences in human beauty, ugliness, longevity, and premature death. Generally speaking, water is the source of all transformations, and earth is the mother of all things. Drinks rely on water for nourishment, and food relies on earth for growth. Food and drink are the lifeblood of humans, and both Ying (Nutritive Qi) and Wei (Defensive Qi) depend on them. Thus it is said: "When water is exhausted, Ying Qi perishes; when grains cease, Wei Qi vanishes." Consequently, the nature and taste of water are matters that those who carefully manage illness and preserve health should study with deep concentration. Herein, I have collected forty-three types of substances related to medicine and diet derived from water, divided into two categories: Heavenly (天) and Earthly (地). (The old editions contained thirty-two types in the Water category, scattered throughout the Minerals and Stones section.)

*Bencao Shiyi* (Supplement to Materia Medica) records two types (annotated by Tao Hongjing of the Liang Dynasty)
*Bencao Shiyi* (Supplement to Materia Medica) records twenty-six types (Chen Cangqi of the Tang Dynasty)
*Jia You Bencao* (Jia You Materia Medica) records four types (Zhang Yuxi of the Song Dynasty)
*Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) adds eleven types (Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty).

[Appendix] Li Dangzhi's *Yaolu* (Records of Medicinals) of the Wei State; Wu Pu's *Wu Pu Bencao* of the Wu State; Lei Xiao's *Paozhi* (Processing) of the Song Dynasty; Xu Zhicai's *Yao Dui* (Medicinal Pairs) of the Northern Qi Dynasty; Su Gong's *Xinxiu Bencao* (Newly Revised Materia Medica) of the Tang Dynasty; Sun Simiao's *Qianjin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold); Li Xun's *Haiyao Bencao* (Marine Drug Materia Medica) of the Tang Dynasty; Zhen Quan's *Yao Xing Lun* (Treatise on Medicinal Properties); Yang Sunzhi's *Shanfan*; Meng Shen's *Shiliao Bencao* (Dietary Therapy Materia Medica) of the Tang Dynasty; Chen Shiliang's *Shixing Bencao* (Food Property Materia Medica); Han Baosheng's *Chongguang Yinggong Bencao* (Revised and Expanded Imperial Materia Medica) of the Shu region; Ma Zhi's *Kaibao Bencao* (Kaibao Materia Medica) of the Song Dynasty; Su Song's *Tujing Bencao* (Illustrated Classic Materia Medica); Tang Shenwei's *Zhenglei Bencao* (Classified Materia Medica) of the Tang Dynasty; Kou Zongshi's *Yanyi* (Extended Meanings); Da Ming's *Rihua Zi Zhu Jia Bencao* (Daily Life Master's Various Families Materia Medica); Zhang Yuansu's *Zhenzhu Nang* (Pearl Purse) of the Jin Dynasty; Li Gao's *Faxiang* (Image and Symbolism) of the Yuan Dynasty; Wang Haogu's *Tangye Bencao* (Decoction Materia Medica); Zhu Zhenheng's *Bencao Yan Yi Buyi* (Supplement to the Extended Meanings of Materia Medica); Wang Ying's *Shiwu Bencao* (Food Materia Medica) of the Ming Dynasty; Wang Ji's *Bencao Huibian* (Collected Compilation of Materia Medica); Wang Lun's *Bencao Jiyao* (Essentials of Materia Medica).