典藏书目

Wang Dongfan, in *Yi Ao* (Medical Profundities), stated: When split open, bamboo shoots of the Mao bamboo species often contain water within them; this is referred to as "Bamboo Essence" (Zhujing). The variety that is odorless and clear in color is best for medicinal use.
To treat tinea versicolor (a fungal skin infection causing discolored patches), apply the water with a chicken feather brush; the condition recedes immediately.
Water obtained from splitting bamboo on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month is named "Divine Water" (Shenshui).

*Jiejing Tang Shihua* records: A handwritten note by Mr. Zuo Luoshi states: In May of the Yiyu year, while residing as a guest at the Imperial Medical Academy in Yanjing (Beijing), my attendant purchased a jar of "Ancient Ci Water" (Guci Shui) from the market. The jar was engraved with "Ancient Ci Water boiled in the 18th year of the Yongle reign, one jar, net weight eight taels, jar weight three jin, an item from the Inner Court." According to research: In Mr. Zuo's poem, there is the line "I bow twice to taste this water, holding it in my mouth but unwilling to swallow," suggesting that this water might indeed be consumable. He also wrote: "The Ancient Ci Water in the bottle was made during the reign of Emperor Wen (Zhu Di). It was sealed in the Heavenly Treasury, flowing clear spring from primordial stones. Successive emperors drank the grace of their ancestors, finding its flavor like soup." Interpreting the poetic meaning, it seems this was prepared for regular consumption, and there were likely more than eighteen jars.
"Ci Water" was stored in tin cans. The top was inscribed in vermilion with "Boiled in the 2nd year of Yongle," weighing two jin for the can and eight taels for the water, with a very intense aroma. Based on this, the quantity of "Ancient Ci Water" appears substantial. Since the cans are tin with vermilion-inscribed characters, and the date "2nd year" precedes the "18th year," it suggests that such production might have been a standard practice of the Ming Dynasty Inner Court.

He Shi's *Bi Han Lu* states: "Gula" was originally the name of a market town between Binzhou and Hengzhou. Wine was brewed using the spring water from this market. After being buried underground for sufficient time, it was retrieved and called "Gula Spring Water." Its color is light red, taste sweet, and it does not spoil easily; this may be a different substance. According to *Yudi Zhi*, Binzhou and Hengzhou are located on the border of Nanning, Guangxi. Chen Moqiao, in *Tiaoshui Zhaji*, recorded: Yao Lvzhong Tan told me that an old family in Yuhang possessed an ancestral tin bottle, exquisitely crafted, with three regular script characters engraved on the front reading "Ancient Ci Water." The mouth was sealed extremely tightly, producing a sound of water when shaken. Passed down through generations, its purpose remained unknown. Xue Dingshan Hong recorded: During the confiscation of Yan Song's property, this item was listed among the assets. Its coolness penetrated the bones, likely used to cool the body during summer months. Li Jinwang's diary noted: While serving as a tutor in the Pei family of Hedong, they possessed a jar of Ancient Ci Water. It was made of copper, four cun high, with a circumference of one fist. The body was round with a flat surface, resembling a flower drum. The copper had a greenish-yellow hue, and around the perimeter was firmly cast the inscription: "Cast in October of the 21st year of Yongle, one jar of Ancient Ci Water, jar weight three jin, water weight eight taels, totaling twenty-two characters," all in intaglio. It was said to be an heirloom of the Zheng family of official lineage. Drilling into the copper to extract the water could treat blindness. Zhu Tuigu once saw a bottle of Ancient Ci Water at the residence of Chen Weiye in Shaanxi, which belonged to Zhang Jie of Haitan Town. Its shape was larger at the top and smaller at the bottom, round like a vase, with no seams around the sides, and produced a water sound when shaken. There was a small drilled hole on the surface. It was said that a wealthy blind man once offered ten taels of gold to buy it to cure his eyesight. Just as he was about to drill another hole, a great thunderclap occurred, and he stopped out of fear. Nevertheless, this object was indeed miraculous. Sun Yongjian stated: Gula is a place name. "Ancient Ci Water" was an item sought by the Treasure Admiral (Zheng He); only eighteen jars existed in the world. The bottles were wrapped in layers of five metals, with the layer closest to the water being pure gold. The water resembled soy sauce in color but was clear, bright enough to reflect images. If ignited with fire, true water would burn with a flame like liquor. Its nature is greatly hot, and it was used in sexual alchemy (Fangzhong Shu). Women who drank it found the fragrance permeating their flesh and bones.
(Another account states:) Its nature is cool, it moistens the skin, brightens the eyes, treats amaurosis (blindness), restores vision, and has effects similar to Kongqing (Azurite). It is effective for treating heat syndromes. Adding a few drops with a tea spoon to bathwater allows the fragrance to penetrate the bones without dissipating. Note: Regarding Ancient Ci Water, according to Xue, its nature is cool and it can treat febrile diseases. According to Sun, its nature is greatly hot, suitable only for bathing, not for ingestion. Although this item exists in the world today, it is often passed off as tribute goods with exorbitant prices, and there are no reports of anyone attempting to ingest it. Therefore, Sun's view is included here pending further verification. Additionally, Ye Dongbiao stated: Dipping a finger in a small amount of Ancient Ci Water and placing it in the nose can suddenly enhance spirit and strengthen bone power. Its fragrance likely harmonizes blood and opens orifices. Before the introduction of opium smoke, this was the only substance used. Later, due to the importation of opium from Luzon (Philippines), people ceased using Ancient Ci Water because the water was expensive while opium was cheap, leading people to compete for the cheaper option. In reality, their effects are similar, but in the context of sexual alchemy, Ancient Ci Water is superior to ingesting opium.