A Bowl of Water by the River

A Bowl of Water by the River

　　The "Four Famous Medicinal Herbs" of Shennongjia

　　They have the effects of dispelling blood stasis, promoting blood circulation, stopping bleeding, and relieving pain. They are used to treat injuries from falls, bruises, overexertion, rheumatoid arthritis, back and leg pain, irregular menstruation, and more.

　　In the high mountains and valleys of Shennongjia, there grows a medicinal herb resembling a lotus leaf—single-stemmed with round leaves shaped like small bowls, the edges of which are serrated, and it bears small white flowers. The leaves often gather dew and rainwater, providing a drink for herb gatherers. This herb is called "A Bowl of Water by the River." Legend has it that once, while Shennong was gathering herbs on a cliff, the stone beneath his feet gave way. With a loud crash, he tumbled down into a deep ravine and was left half-dead. When he regained consciousness, he felt unbearable pain all over his body and was desperately thirsty, wanting to drink water but unable to move. Eventually, he struggled to crawl to the edge of the ravine, only to find the water below murky and foul-smelling with decaying plants and leaves, making him feel nauseous. Shennong sighed, and then noticed several herbs by the ravine that looked like lotus leaves. He crawled over and saw that they held clear dew. He quickly cupped the leaves and drank the water, feeling much of his pain ease and his strength return. Overjoyed, Shennong carefully tasted the lotus-leaf-shaped, white-flowered herb and found his injuries healed instantly. Thus, he gathered this life-saving herb and gave it the vivid name "A Bowl of Water by the River," also recording its functions of dispelling blood stasis, promoting blood circulation, stopping bleeding, relieving pain, and treating injuries from falls.