222 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



J. 



JASMINUM NUDIFLORUM.— M ^ :j!g (Ying-ch'un- 

 hua). This is cultivated everywhere in gardens. It is the 

 same as the Jasmimun sieboldianufn. The Chinese name is 

 also applied to the Magnolia conspicua. It flowers very early 

 in the spring before the leaves come ; the flower somewhat 

 resembling that of the Daphne^ and being yellow in color. 

 The leaves are used in medicine as a diaphoretic in fevers 

 and wounds. 



JASMINUM OFFICINALE.—^ ^ (So-hsing). In the 

 Phitsao this is described in a foot-note to the article on [as- 

 7nimiin savibac^ where it is stated that the plant is of foreign 

 origin, and is also called ]|I5 ,^ ^' (Yeh-hsi-ming) and ^ jg ^' 

 (Yeh-hsi-mi), either of which is a good transliteration of the 

 Arabic yesmiii or the Persian yasinin. The flowers are of 

 two colors, white and yellow, identified by the Japanese as 

 JasmimiTTi grandiflorinn q.w6. Jasjuimun fioridwn respectively. 

 The Oil of Jasmine is expressed from the flowers of this, a's 

 well as from those of Jasminu77i savibac. The medicinal uses 

 are not distinguished from those of the latter. 



JASMINUM SAMBAC— ^ fl[ (Mo-li). This plant is 

 now well known in China, but is of foreign, probably Persian, 

 origin. This is indicated by the fact that a number of very 

 different characters of similar sound are used for the name of 

 the plant, all approaching in sound those given above. So 

 it is probable that they are all transliterations of some foreign 

 name. The plant is exceedingly popular on account of the 

 fragrance of its beautiful white flowers, and it is therefore 

 cultivated in all pleasure gardens. A song, the tune of which 

 is probably the most popular among Chinese airs, was com- 

 posed praising the fragrance and beauty of this flower. Any 

 Chinese will play or sing this air, if asked for the '■'■ Alo-li- 

 hua.'''' The petals of the flower are used to scent teas and to 

 prepare cosmetics. They are also used, together with those of 

 Jasmimtm officinale^ in the manufacture of the Oil of Jasmine. 



