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Bitter, cold, non-toxic. Enters the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) and Hand-Shaoyang (Sanjiao) meridians. Reduces fever and eliminates steaming bone disorder (a sensation of heat emanating from the bones, often associated with yin deficiency), quenches thirst, cools blood, strengthens tendons and assists bones, benefits essence, and dispels bi-syndrome (painful obstruction). It treats steaming bone disorder with sweating, and expels wind-pathogens that are fixed or wandering on the exterior. It eliminates wind-disease of the jawbone (osteomyelitis of the mandible), heals injuries from metal weapons and fractures, descends latent fire in the Lung and Stomach, and resolves deficient heat in the Kidney and Liver. It is particularly effective for treating bleeding gums (gingival bleeding) and can also stop hematemesis (vomiting blood).

It grows everywhere. The seedlings and leaves resemble those of pomegranate but are softer and thinner; the stems are three to five chi high, growing in clumps. In the sixth and seventh lunar months, small red-purple flowers appear, bearing fruit resembling jujube pits, which are green when raw and red when ripe. In places like Lingzhou, they grow as large trees, with round fruits like cherries.

Moisten with wine, then pound into a paste for use.

Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Nourishes the Kidney and moistens the Lung, benefits essence and brightens the eyes; strengthens tendons and establishes bones, dispels wind and treats consumptive disease (lao). It is most suitable for dry throat and heart pain, and is also effective for thirst, excessive drinking, and xiaozhong (wasting-thirst syndrome/diabetes).

For heat-lao feeling as if burning: Digengpi (Cortex Lycii) 3 liang, Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri) 1 liang, taken each time with Maidong Decoction (Ophiopogonis Decoction), 2 liang per dose. (Verified Formula No. 1.)

For leukorrhea with a rapid pulse: Digengpi 8 liang, Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Recens) 8 liang, boiled in wine and taken. (No. 2.)

For women with vulvar swelling or sores: Boil Digengpi and wash externally. (No. 3.)

For steaming bone烦热 (restless heat) and all kinds of restless heat: Digengpi 2 liang, Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) 1 liang, Zhi Gancao (Prepared Radix Glycyrrhizae) 8 liang. Each time, use fresh ginger as a guide, decoct in water to obtain 5 qian. (No. 4.)

For red eyes with nebula (corneal opacity): Take pure juice of Gouqizi (Fructus Lycii) and apply to the eyes; miraculous effect. (No. 5.)

For "Zhu Xia" syndrome (summer fatigue/lethargy): Grind Gouqizi (Fructus Lycii) and Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae) into fine powder, soak in boiling water, seal for three days, and drink as tea; very effective. (No. 6.)

For corns on toe tips: Pound Digengpi (Cortex Lycii) and Honghua (Flos Carthami) into powder and apply topically. (No. 7.)

For osteomyelitis of the jaw (Gucao Feng): Huaimi (Semen Sophorae Flavae) 2 liang, Digengpi 1 liang, made into pills the size of beans with honey. Take one pill each time. For early stages, induce sweating for cure; for ulcerated later stages, apply internally. (No. 8.)

Used as an envoy herb. Adversely affected by Xiaoji (Herba Cirsii Japonici).

Pungent, bitter, neutral, non-toxic. Assists the Kidney, benefits Yin, expels wind, and kills parasites. Benefits tendons, bones, hair, skin, and fur; treats weakness of the legs and impotence. Women should avoid long-term use, lest it cause longing for men (disruption of sexual balance/libido).

Grows in the valleys of Huayin. Leaves are harvested in the third and fourth lunar months. Now found in both north and south. Leaves resemble those of loquat but are smaller, with small thorns; they do not wither in winter, producing white flowers in spring...