补肾。
咸温。浓肠胃。补肾气。（能解羊膻。）小儿不可多食。生则难化。熟则滞气。（小儿疳
疮、
生嚼栗子敷之、韦刺入肉、金刃斧伤、方同。）
补脾胃、润心肺、调营卫、和百药。
甘温。补中益气。滋脾土。润心肺。调营卫。缓阴血。生津液。悦颜色。通九窍。助十
二经
。和百药。伤寒及补剂中加用之。以发脾胃升腾之气。（须与姜并行。）红枣功用相仿。
差不及尔。虽补中而味过于甘。中满者忌之。（甘令人满、大建中汤、心下痞者减饧枣、与
甘草同例。经言、枣为脾果、脾病宜食之、又曰∶脾病患毋多食甘、毋乃相戾耶、不知言
宜食者、指不足之脾也、如脾虚泄泻之类、毋多食者、指有余之脾也、如实满肿胀之类、凡
用药者、能随其虚实而变通之、虽寻常品味、必获神功、苟执而泥之、虽有良剂、莫展其长
、故学人以格致为亟也。）凡风疾痰热及齿痛。俱非所宜。小儿疳病亦禁。生者尤为不利。
北产肥润坚实者佳。（金华南枣及徽宁所产、皮薄而皱、花纹甚细而可爱、味虽甘美、而微
带酸、且脂少于北枣、止可充食用、皆不堪入药、宏景曰∶南枣大恶、不堪啖、苏颂曰∶江
南出者坚燥少脂、不可入药。）杀乌附毒。忌葱、鱼同食。（诸疮久坏不愈者、枣膏三升、煎
水频洗、取愈。食椒闭气、食枣即解。）以上五果类。
Tonify the Kidney.
Salty and warm. Thickens the stomach and intestines (strengthens the gastrointestinal tract). Tonifies Kidney Qi. (Can resolve the muttony odor of sheep meat.) Children should not consume it in excess. Raw consumption is difficult to digest; cooked consumption may stagnate Qi. (Applicable to pediatric gan syndrome sores; chew raw chestnuts and apply as a poultice to treat injuries such as splinter penetration, cuts from blades or axes, using the same method.)
Tonify the Spleen and Stomach, moisten the Heart and Lungs, harmonize Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), and harmonize with various herbs.
Sweet and warm. Tonifies the Middle Jiao and supplements Qi. Nourishes Spleen Earth. Moistens the Heart and Lungs. Harmonizes Ying and Wei. Softens/nourishes Yin Blood. Generates body fluids. Enhances complexion. Opens the nine orifices. Assists the twelve meridians. Harmonizes with various herbs. Added to treatments for Shanghan (Cold Damage) and tonifying formulas to stimulate the ascending and transforming Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. (Must be used concurrently with Shengjiang [Fresh Ginger Rhizome].) Hongzao (Red Date) has similar functions, though slightly inferior. Although it tonifies the Middle Jiao, its taste is overly sweet; those with fullness in the middle jiao should avoid it. (Sweetness causes fullness. In the Da Jian Zhong Tang formula, if there is epigastric痞 [stagnation/fullness], Yi Tang [Maltose] and Zao are reduced, following the same principle as Gancao [Licorice Root]. The classics state: "Zao is the fruit of the Spleen, suitable for Spleen diseases"; yet they also say: "Patients with Spleen disorders should not eat much sweetness." Are these statements contradictory? One must understand that "suitable" refers to Spleen deficiency, such as Spleen-deficiency diarrhea; while "do not eat much" refers to Spleen excess, such as true fullness and swelling. Practitioners who can adapt flexibly according to deficiency and excess will achieve miraculous results even with common foods. If one is rigid and dogmatic, even good prescriptions cannot display their efficacy. Therefore, scholars of medicine prioritize investigating things to acquire knowledge.) It is not suitable for wind-diseases, phlegm-heat, or toothache. Pediatric gan syndrome is also contraindicated. Raw consumption is particularly disadvantageous. Those produced in the North, which are plump, moist, and firm, are superior. (Nanzao [Southern Dates] from Jinhua and those from Huizhou and Ningguo have thin, wrinkled skins with fine, attractive patterns. Although sweet and delicious, they have a slight sourness and less oil than northern dates. They are only suitable for food, not for medicinal use. Tao Hongjing stated: "Southern dates are very bad and inedible." Su Song stated: "Dates from Jiangnan are hard, dry, and lack oil, unsuitable for medicine.") It can neutralize the toxicity of Wutou [Aconite Root] and Fuzi [Prepared Aconite Root]. Contraindicated with Cong [Scallion] and Yu [Fish]. (For chronic ulcers that fail to heal, wash frequently with water boiled with San Sheng [three sheng units] of Zao Gao [Date Paste] until healed. Eating Jiaojiao [Pepper] causes Qi closure; eating Zao resolves it.) These belong to the category of Five Fruits.