40 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



resultant is taken as a cure for tuberculosis and asthma. In 

 Hupeh the pseudo-bulbs of two terrestrial Orchids, Pleione 

 fogonioides and P. Henryi, are used for the same purpose, and 

 are known as " Ch'uan Pei-mu." These plants grow on moist, 

 humus-clad rocks in the woods between 3000 and 5000 feet 

 altitude. 



In clearings in the woods throughout western Hupeh and on 

 Mount Omei plantations of Huang-lien [Coptis chinensis) are 

 maintained as a profitable investment. The dried rhizome is 

 an all-round medicine, and particularly valued as a stomachic. 

 An infusion is considered a cure for dyspepsia ; used by women 

 nursing children, it is said to promote the flow of milk ; pounded 

 and mixed with the white of eggs it is applied as a poultice to 

 boils. Personally I can testify that it makes an excellent and 

 appetizing bitters. 



The thickened roots of a number of umbelliferous plants are 

 esteemed for their medicinal virtues, as tonics and blood puri- 

 fiers generally. One in general use and commonly cultivated 

 is " Tang-kuei " [Angelica polymorpha, var. sinensis). An ex- 

 tract obtained by boiling the root-stock of Platycodon grandi- 

 florum, a campanulaceous plant known locally as " Chieh- 

 k'eng," is a cure for chill in the stomach. The small pods of 

 Gleditsia officinalis, " Ya-tsao," sliced and boiled with "Tang- 

 kuei," forms an infusion which is considered a certain cure for 

 coughs and colds. 



For medicinal purposes the Aconite, " Tsao-wu-tu " {Aconi- 

 tum Wilsonii), is cultivated, the powdered root being mixed 

 with the white of eggs and applied externally as a remedy 

 for boils. The " Ch'uan-wu-tu " {A. Hemsleyanum, and other 

 climbing species) has similar uses to the foregoing. Also after 

 frequent boilings the root is used in minute quantities as a 

 drastic cure for coughs. Another twining herb, " Tang-shen " 

 [Codonopsis tangshen), is commonly cultivated in the moun- 

 tains, the thickened root-stock being valued as an all-round 

 tonic. 



The barks of many trees are used in medicine, and the 

 identification of these is not so difficult as in the case of the herbs. 

 One of the most esteemed is " Hou-p'o " [Magnolia officinalis). 

 The best quality bark is worth 1000 cash per ounce. An 



