（本经上品）
【气味】苦寒，无毒。
【主治】主五内邪气，热中消渴，周痹风湿。久服坚筋骨，轻身不老，能耐寒暑。
【核】曰∶古取尝山者为上，后世唯取陕西甘州者称绝品。生平泽，丘陵阪岸间，春放
苗，作榴叶状，软薄堪食，茎干丛生，高三五尺，陕之兰灵，及九原以西者，并是大树。七
月作花紫色，随结红实，形长如枣核，凌冬不落。二月叶发，五月再发，其实乃谢。七月叶
又发，花即随之，极易延蔓。根深者，一发三四尺，枝茎寸截，或分劈镂刻，横埋土中，旬
日便发，易生如此。冬采根，春采叶，夏采实，秋采茎，功用并同。本经名概叶实根茎，后
世始岐而二之，以根皮有清热滋补之异，而略言茎叶，更以根去骨存皮，则又不可解矣。别
有一种枸棘相类其实，但实圆，枝节间有刺不堪用。修治，取实鲜明红润者，洗净，醇酒浸
一宿，捣烂用茎叶，唯阴干，根如物状者为上。东流水浸一宿，刷去土，甘草汤又浸一宿，
焙干用。苗伏砒砂，根伏硫黄。
（凡木之易生者，榕柳之与桑杞、榕柳虽易生，不若桑杞通体精专。叶实根茎，功用并
着，杞则更胜于桑，凌冬不落为迥别也。嘉安朱孺子，居大箬岩见溪侧有二花犬相戏，逐至
杞丛下，获杞根二枚，形状与戏犬无异，煮食之，俄顷飞升仙去。）
【 】曰∶枸从苟，诚也，省作句。观断绝寸茎，根须俱髡，以入土中，旬日即发，枝
干分劈镂刻，亦不之死，仁机扇动，一诚之致也。命名之义，或取诸此。其味苦，得夏大之
令，其气寒，得寒水之化，故主夏气病藏之邪，致热中消渴也。唯以怒生为用，故痹为之起，
湿为之收。又苦寒能坚，故枝韧比筋，根皮裹骨斯筋骨受之，地仙却老，有繇然矣。且二五
七月俱发，宜耐寒暑也。
（尔雅曰∶杞一名机，即枸杞也。按诗有六杞将仲子弓篇，无拆我树杞；四牡篇，集子
苞
[Shangpin (Superior Grade) of the Benjing]
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats pathogenic factors within the five zang organs, internal heat leading to Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome), generalized Bi syndrome (painful obstruction), and wind-dampness. Long-term consumption strengthens the sinews and bones, lightens the body, delays aging, and enables tolerance to cold and summer heat.
[Analysis] It is said: In ancient times, those from Changshang Mountain were considered superior; in later generations, only those from Ganzhou in Shaanxi were regarded as the finest grade. It naturally grows in marshes, hills, and on slopes and banks. New shoots emerge in spring, with leaves resembling pomegranate leaves, soft, thin, and edible. The stems grow in clusters, three to five chi high; in Lanling, Shaanxi, and west of Jiuyuan, they grow into large trees. Purple flowers bloom in the seventh month, followed by red fruits that are long and shaped like jujube pits, remaining on the plant throughout winter. Leaves sprout in the second month, sprout again in the fifth month when the fruit matures and falls. Leaves sprout again in the seventh month, accompanied by flowers, spreading very easily. Deep roots can extend three to four chi; even if branches and stems are cut into inch-long pieces, or split, carved, and buried horizontally in soil, they sprout within ten days, demonstrating such ease of propagation. Roots are harvested in winter, leaves in spring, fruits in summer, and stems in autumn; their medicinal functions are identical. The *Benjing* grouped leaves, fruits, roots, and stems together, but later generations divided them into two categories because the root bark has distinct clearing-heat and nourishing properties, while the stems and leaves were briefly mentioned. Furthermore, removing the wood to keep only the root bark is inexplicable. There is another variety similar to Gouji (Cannabis sativa var. spontanea?), with round fruits and thorny nodes, which is unsuitable for use. Processing: Select bright red and lustrous fruits, wash clean, soak in pure wine overnight, then mash for use. For stems and leaves, only shade-drying is required. Roots in their natural shape are superior. Soak in flowing water from the east for one night, brush off dirt, soak again in licorice decoction for one night, then bake dry for use. The seedlings are susceptible to arsenic sulfide, and the roots are susceptible to sulfur.
(Generally speaking, among trees that are easy to propagate, banyan, willow, mulberry, and goji berry are comparable. Although banyan and willow are easy to propagate, they do not possess the concentrated essence throughout the whole plant like mulberry and goji berry. The efficacy of leaves, fruits, roots, and stems is prominent; goji berry surpasses mulberry, notably by remaining evergreen through winter. (Zhu Ruzi of Jia'an lived at Da Ruoyan Rock. He saw two spotted dogs playing by the stream, chasing each other under a goji bush. He obtained two goji roots there, which resembled the playing dogs. After boiling and eating them, he ascended to immortality in an instant.))
[Commentary] "Gou" derives from "Gou" (sincere/honest), abbreviated as "Ju". Observing a severed inch-long stem where all root hairs are bare, once inserted into the soil, it sprouts within ten days; branches and stems, even after splitting and carving, do not die. This is due to the stirring of vital energy (Ren Ji), achieved through sincerity. The meaning of its name may be derived from this. Its bitter flavor corresponds to the command of Summer Fire; its cold nature corresponds to the transformation of Cold Water. Thus, it treats pathogenic factors affecting the zang organs caused by Summer Qi, leading to internal heat and Xiao Ke. Because it utilizes vigorous growth ("Nu Sheng"), Bi syndrome is addressed, and dampness is consolidated. Moreover, bitterness and coldness strengthen; thus, flexible branches resemble sinews, and root bark wrapping resembles bone protection. Therefore, nourishing sinews and bones, becoming an earthly immortal, and reversing aging have reasons. Furthermore, since it sprouts in the second, fifth, and seventh months, it is suitable for tolerating cold and summer heat.
(The *Erya* states: Qi is also called Ji, which is Goji Berry. According to the *Classic of Poetry*, in the chapter "Liu Yu Jiang Zhong Zi", it says "Do not break my tree Qi"; in the chapter "Si Mu", it says "Collecting the buds...")