A Theoretical Vignette on the Postulated Effects of a Simple Drug by Chen Shiduo (1627–1707):Japanese Sweet Flag, the opening of the heart orifices, and forgetfulness

摘要

Chen Shiduo 陳士鐸 (1627–1707) discussed in his Newly Edited Pharmacopoieia (Bencao xinbian 本草新編, 1692) the effects of shí chāng pú 石菖蒲 (Japanese Sweet Flag, Acorus gramineus Solander ex Aiton), and applies it in his carefully composed recipes (found in his other works) to open the “heart orifices” (xīn qiào 心竅), and against ‘forgetfulness’ (wàng 忘), where it necessarily has to be accompanied by Ginseng (rén shēn 人參). The opening-closing mechanics of the “heart orifices” echo the activity attributed to Japanese Sweet Flag that is seen as an agent of their “opening”, mechanically inducing the improvement of a memory disorder. Chen Shiduo consistently argues for the double interplay of the heart, as the mental and emotional centre in the breast region, and the kidneys, that are related to the sexual functions and the urogenital system. “Forgetfulness”, in this view, stems from exhausting the “kidney fluids” (shèn shuǐ 腎水), or from “losses of essence” (yí jīng 遺精) during sexual activity.