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Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus) absorbs the Yin energy of the earth and combines with the Yang Qi of heaven; therefore, its taste is sour, slightly bitter, and salty, and its nature is warm. It encompasses all five flavors without toxicity, belonging to a category that is Yin containing slight Yang. It enters the blood aspect and Qi aspect of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. It is a crucial herb for grasping Qi and returning it to its origin, strengthening Yin, and benefiting Essence. For preparation, each berry is cut in half with a copper knife, mixed with honey and wine, steamed, sun-dried, and then baked before use.

Wuweizi tonifies deficiency damage and labor injuries, contracts dilated pupils, and uses its sour flavor to astringe the dispersal of Lung Qi (Lung corresponds to Metal in Five Elements). Its nature is tonifying and nourishes the insufficiency of Water in the Kidney Meridian. It generates fluids, relieves thirst, benefits Qi, strengthens Yin, secures Essence, calms asthma, arrests sweating, consolidates Yang, tonifies deficiency to improve vision, eliminates vexation and heat while supplementing Original Yang, resolves alcohol toxicity, and strengthens sinews and bones. Decocted together with Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), it treats winter coughs caused by Lung Cold with miraculous effect. Combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), and Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), it shows remarkable efficacy in treating summer fatigue and weakness. In cases of hot cough with excessive Fire Qi, cold-natured drugs should not be used abruptly; instead, this sour-astringent property must be utilized. However, it should not be used in large doses, as this may cause pathogenic closure. Indeed, it is a key herb for guiding Qi back to its origin and protecting the Lung and Kidney.

Indications (Reference combined with Smallpox/Rash diseases): Astringes Lung Qi, generates fluids, relieves thirst, eliminates cough, drives out heat, and nourishes Yin. However, due to its sour taste and astringent nature, it is unsuitable during the eruption phase of rashes; it can only be used after the rash has subsided and toxins are cleared. For coughs where Fire is abundant but not yet cleared, using this astringent herb is also inappropriate.

Commentary: The flesh of Wuweizi has an excess of sourness and insufficient sweetness, while containing bitterness, pungency, and saltiness. Ancient processing methods involved crushing the fruit and steaming it with honey and wine, precisely to supplement its lack of sweetness and slightly mitigate the harshness and abruptness of its astringent action. Zhang Jiegu stated: "Taking Wuweizi in summer causes spirit to instantly improve and sinew strength to surge in the legs." This utilizes its sour flavor to assist Renshen in draining Bing Fire (Heart Fire) and supplementing Geng Metal (Lung Metal), thereby converging dispersed Qi. Li Dongyuan stated: "Contracting dilated pupils requires this herb for Heat-Fire conditions; however, it should not be used abruptly if external pathogens are present." Zhu Danxi stated: "Astringing the Lung and tonifying the Kidney makes this a necessary herb for Fire Cough." Kou Zongshi claimed that consuming too much Wuweizi causes deficient heat, likely because its astringent and tonifying action is too rapid. If Wind-Pathogen remains on the exterior, if rashes are just beginning, or in cases of fluid retention and Excess Heat in the Lung, its use is strictly contraindicated.