Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c5.s2.t4.5

v1.c5.s2.t4.5

Upon its introduction into central China, clover not only served as horse feed but was also used as a herb and food. Its medical functions were seen in Tao Hongjing’s *Alternative Records of Famous Physicians*. In the Tang work *Materia Medica for Dietotherapy*, it was written that clover can be mixed with sauce or used for cooking porridge or congee. It can “benefit the organs and help one keep fit. Also, it can clear away harmful heat (‘qi’) and free the small intestine to remove heat-toxin.” In Yuan Dynasty, it was widely planted to feed the huge number of horses needed by the regime’s military operations. Besides, the prescription to make clothes fragrant recorded in Sun Simiao’s work *Valuable Prescriptions for Emergency*, also used clover fragrance.