Interior of a Chinese pharmacy.
Figure 10–6B Weighing herbs for a prescription.
In addition to herbs and plants, the Chinese use other products with medicinal and healing properties. Some of these products were also used in ancient Europe and are still used today. For example, in China, boys’ urine was used to cure lung diseases, soothe inflamed throats, and dissolve blood clots in pregnant women. In Europe, it was used during the 2 world wars as emergency treatment for open wounds. Urea is still used today as a treat- ment that promotes the healing of wounds. Other popular Chinese remedies include:
■ deer antlers—used to strengthen bones, increase a man’s potency, and dispel nightmares
■ lime calcium—used to clear excessive mucus ■ quicksilver—used externally to treat venereal diseases ■ rhinoceros horns—highly effective when applied to pus boils; an anti-
toxin for snakebites ■ turtle shells—used to stimulate weak kidneys and to remove gallstones ■ snake flesh—eaten as a delicacy to keep eyes healthy and vision clear ■ seahorses—pulverized and used to treat gout