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(Into the Compendium of Materia Medica)

[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen says: According to Song Qi's *Yi Zhou Fang Wu Ji* (Records of Strange Things in Yizhou), Tianshi Li (Heavenly Master Chestnut) is only found in Qingcheng Mountain, Sichuan, and nowhere else. It is said to have been left behind by Zhang Tianshi (Celestial Master Zhang) when he practiced Daoism here, hence the name. It resembles a chestnut but tastes better; its unique feature is that it has only one seed chamber, like an acorn. The Suoluozi sold in Wudang Mountain today is likely this plant.

[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, warm, non-toxic.

[Indications] Long-term consumption can cure wind-induced muscle spasms (Li Shizhen, citing *Yi Zhou Ji*).

(Shennong Bencao Jing lists it as a Superior Grade herb)

[Names] Li Shizhen says: According to Lu Tian's *Pi Ya*, large ones are called Zao (Jujube), small ones are called Ji (Wild Jujube). Ji refers to Suanzao (Sour Jujube). Zao trees grow tall, hence the name "Zao"; Ji bushes grow low, hence the name "Ji". Bing (combined) sounds like Ci. Both Zao and Ji have thorns, which is a pictophonetic character.

[Collected Explanations] *Bielu* (Supplementary Records) states: Jujubes grow in the plains and marshes of Hedong.
Tao Hongjing says: It is widely believed that jujubes from Yishi County, Hedong, are particularly superior. Those from Qingzhou now are large with small pits, rich in juice, and very sweet. Those traded from Yuzhou are also good, though slightly smaller. Those from Linyi and Jincheng in Jiangdong are large but hollow, lacking oiliness; the good ones are still edible. Southern jujubes are poor quality and inedible.
Su Song says: Northern prefectures all produce jujubes, but those from Qingzhou are especially excellent. Those from Jinzhou and Jiangzhou are large but lack the dense flesh of Qingzhou varieties. Those from Jiangnan are hard, dry, and oily-poor. There are many cultivated varieties today. Delicious ones include Shuiling Zao and Yuzao, but these are unsuitable for medicinal use due to their light and airy flesh. People in Nanjun boil and sun-dry them; they have thin, wrinkled skin and taste sweeter than other jujubes, called Tianzheng Zao, but are also not used medicinally. Note: Guo Pu's commentary on *Erya* states: Huzao is large and pointed; Hu is like a gourd. Bian refers to waist jujube; thin-waisted ones are now called Lulu Zao. Bai is white jujube, ripening when white. Xi is large jujube, produced in Yishi County, Hedong, as large as a chicken egg. Zun is sheep jujube, small and purple-black, commonly known as Yangshi Zao. Suan is sour jujube, with small trees and sour fruit. Huanwei is short-tasting jujube. Juexie is bitter jujube, tasting bitter. Xi is seedless jujube.
Kou Zongshe says: Large jujubes from Qingzhou are first choice, followed by those from Jinzhou; both can be dried for medicinal use to benefit the spleen and stomach. Others are merely for food. People in Qingzhou peel and pit jujubes, bake them into rings as delicacies. There is Yuzao, sweet and crisp, which rots easily after other jujubes mature, known today as Puluosu. There is also Yazao, maturing earlier, sweet, slightly sour, and elongated. These two are edible but not suitable for drying and storage.
Li Shizhen says: Jujube wood has a red heart and thorns. Small leaves emerge in April, pointed and glossy. Tiny white flowers with a greenish tint bloom in May. They grow north and south, but those from Qingzhou and Jinzhou are plump, sweet, and best for medicine. There are many varieties. Besides those in *Erya*, Guo Yigong's *Guang Zhi* mentions Gouya, Jixin, Niutou, Yangshi, Mihou, Xiyao, Chixin, Sanxing, and Pianbai. There are also Mu Zao, Di Zao, Gui Zao, Xi Zao, Guan Zao, Xu Zao, Zheng Zao, Bai Zao, Dan Zao, Tang Zao, and those from Anyi and Xindu. Guzicheng Purple Jujube is two cun long; Yangjiao Jujube is three cun long. Small jujubes from Miyun are crisp, moist, with small pits and sweet taste; they are good for fruit but not medicine. For medicinal use, dried large jujubes from Qingzhou and Jinzhou are best. Note: Jia Sixie's *Qimin Yaoshu* states: Harvest when fully red, shaking daily to dry, resulting in red wrinkles. If harvested half-red, flesh is incomplete, turning yellow and wrinkled upon drying. If harvested just turning red, taste is poor. *Shijing* method for dried jujubes: Clean ground, spread reed mats, sun-day dew-night, remove rotten ones, dry and store. Sliced and dried is Zaofu. Cooked and pressed is Zaogao (juice paste), also called Zaorang. Steamed is Jiaozao. Adding sugar/honey makes it sweeter; steaming with hemp oil leaves makes it glossier. Crushing Jiaozao and drying yields Zaoyou. Method: Take red soft dried jujubes, cover with water, boil, strain, grind in stone mortar, squeeze through raw cloth, spread on plates, dry until like oil, rub into powder. One spoon added to soup makes a delicious drink, stopping hunger/thirst and benefiting spleen/stomach. Lu Chen's *Jifa* says spring sacrifices use Zaoyou. This is it.

Raw Jujube
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, pungent, hot, non-toxic. Overconsumption causes chills and fever. Emaciated persons should avoid it.
Sun Simiao says: Overconsumption causes heat, thirst, bloating, disturbs zang-fu, damages spleen yuan, and aids damp-heat.

Large Jujube (Da Zao)
[Names] Gan Zao (*Bielu*), Mei Zao (*Bielu*), Liang Zao.
*Bielu* says: Harvest in August, sun-dry.
Li Rui says: This is sun-dried large jujube. Best flavor, thus suitable for medicine. Some use large Jiaozao today.
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
Sun Simiao says: Sweet, pungent, hot, slippery, non-toxic.
Li Gao says: Warm.
Ma Zhi says: Those with dental issues, infantile malnutrition (Gan disease), or parasites should not eat jujubes, especially children. Avoid eating with scallions, causing five zang disharmony; avoid with fish, causing waist/abdominal pain.
Li Shizhen says: Modern people steam jujubes with sugar/honey; long-term use damages spleen and aids damp-heat. Eating too many causes yellow teeth and worms. Thus, Ji Kang's *Yangsheng Lun* says: Teeth turn yellow living in Jin; lice turn black on heads.
[Indications] Treats evil qi in heart/abdomen, calms middle, nourishes spleen qi, harmonizes stomach qi, opens nine orifices, assists twelve meridians, supplements deficient qi/fluids/body weakness, treats limb heaviness from fright, harmonizes herbs. Long-term use lightens body and prolongs life (*Benjing*. Kou Zongshe says: Boiled pulp mixed with spleen-stomach herbs is excellent). Tonifies middle, boosts qi, strengthens will/power, relieves vexation, treats hanging pain in heart, expels intestinal parasites. Long-term use prevents hunger, akin to immortals (*Bielu*). Moistens lungs/heart, stops cough, tonifies five zang, treats deficiency, removes gut accumulation. Mixed with Guangfen and burned, treats infantile Gan dysentery (Ma Zhi). For infant autumn dysentery, eating worm-eaten jujubes is good (Meng Shen). Detoxifies Aconite, Fuzi, Tianxiong (Xu Zhicai). Harmonizes yin/yang, regulates Ying/Wei, generates fluids (Li Gao).
[Elucidations] Tao Hongjing says: In Daoist prescriptions, jujube is the best bait. Skin promotes flow, flesh tonifies deficiency, so it is split in decoctions.
Li Gao says: Da Zao has strong flavor/properties, belongs to Yang. Warmth tonifies deficiency; sweetness moderates Yin blood.
Cheng Wuji says: For evil in Ying/Wei, use pungent/sweet to resolve. Ginger/jujube harmonize Ying/Wei, generate spleen/stomach ascending qi. Zhang Zhongjing uses Da Zao to nourish spleen earth to calm kidney qi for Ben Tun. Shi Zao Tang treats fluid retention/costalgia by strengthening earth to overcome water.
Zhu Zhenheng says: Jujube belongs to Earth with Fire nature, sweet and slow. Sweet enters spleen first; tonifying spleen always uses sweet. Thus, excessive sweet intake harms spleen. Li Shizhen says: *Suwen* states jujube is the fruit of spleen, suitable for spleen disease. In treating illness/harmonizing drugs, jujube is a spleen meridian blood-level herb. Frequent casual eating causes worms/tooth damage. Wang Haogu says: Fullness contraindicates sweet, as sweet causes fullness. Thus, Zhang Zhongjing reduces maltose/jujube in Jianzhong Tang for epigastric fullness, similar to Licorice logic. Xu Shimui's *Benshi Fang* records a woman with Zang Zao weeping uncontrollably; ancient formula Da Zao Tang cured her instantly. Ancient medical wisdom is profound. Chen Ziming's *Furen Liangfang* records Cheng Huqing's wife, pregnant 4-5 months, weeping/sighing as if possessed; doctors/priests failed. Guan Bozhou advised Da Zao Tang, curing her immediately. Formula below. *Zhaixuan Fang* uses charred red jujube wine-administered, a variation of Da Zao Tang.
[Attached Prescriptions] 7 old, 12 new.
Harmonize Stomach Qi: Dried jujube pitted, slow-dried to powder. Add ginger powder, take with hot water. Excellent for stomach harmony (*Yanyi*).
Regurgitation/Vomiting: One jujube pitted, insert one Blister Beetle (remove head/wings), bake, remove beetle, eat empty stomach with hot water.
Small Intestine Qi Pain: One jujube pitted, insert one Blister Beetle (remove head/legs/wings), paper-wrap bake, remove beetle, eat jujube, take with Guixin/Bichengqie decoction (*Zhizhi*).
Post-Febrile Disease Dry Mouth/Sore Throat/Drooling: 20 Jujubes, 10 Wumei, crush with honey into pills. Hold like apricot pit, swallow juice (*Qianjin Fang*).
Women's Zang Zao, Weeping/Crying, Spirit-like, Sighing: Da Zao Tang governs: 10 Jujubes, 1 Sheng Wheat, 2 Liang Licorice. Take 1 Liang, decoct in water. Also tonifies spleen qi (*Jinkui*).
Pregnancy Abdominal Pain: 14 Red Jujubes, burn to ash, take with urine (*Meishi*).
Dry Stool Constipation: One jujube pitted, insert half Qianfen (Calomel), bind, bake, eat, follow with jujube decoction (*Zhizhi*).
Cursed Jujube for Malaria: Hold one jujube, chant: "I have one jujube, heart returns to Great Way." Burn or strike fire. Chant 7 times, blow on jujube, give to patient (*Lou Shenshu*).
Vexation/Insomnia: 14 Jujubes, 7 Scallion whites, 3 Sheng Water, boil to 1 Sheng, take at once (*Qianjin*).
Upper Qi Cough/Muscle Tightness: 20 Jujubes pitted, fry with 4 Liang Butter until absorbed. Keep one, slowly swallow (*Shenghui Fang*).
Lung Abscess/Hemoptysis from Spicy/Hot Food: Red Jujube (burned with pit to ash), Baiyaojian (processed) equal parts powder. Take 2 Qian, rice water (*Sanyin*).
Deafness/Nasal Congestion: 15 Jujubes (peeled/pitted), 300 Castor Seeds (peeled), crush. Wrap in cotton, plug ear/nose daily. After 30 days, hearing/smell return. Treat ear first, then nose (*Meng Shen Shiliao*).
Long-term Fragrance: Jujube pulp + Guixin, White Melon Seed, Pine Bark pills. Long-term use (*Shiliao Bencao*).
Rapid Gum Rot (Zouma Yagan): Fresh jujube pulp + Huangbo, burn to ash. Mix with oil, apply. Add slight Arsenic for better effect (*Wangshi Boji*).
Chronic Ulcers: 3 Sheng Zaogao, decoct water, frequent wash until healed (*Qianjin*).
Hemorrhoid Pain: Large fat jujube peeled, Mercury in palm, grind with saliva until fine, apply to jujube pulp, insert anus (*Waitai*).
Lower Orifice Worm Itch: Steam jujube to paste, mix with Mercury, roll 3 cun stick, wrap in cotton, insert night, worms exit next day (*Zhouhou*).
Sudden Heart Pain: *Haishang Fang* rhyme: 1 Wumei, 2 Jujubes, 7 Almonds, crush. Men with wine, women with vinegar, take. Prevents heart pain forever.
Pepper-induced Qi Blockage: Jing Jujube resolves it (*Baiyi Xuanfang*).

Kernel of 3-Year Old Jujube
[Flavor and Properties] Roasted, bitter, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Abdominal pain evil qi (*Bielu*). Evil qi sudden attack (*Meng Shen*). Kernel burned/powdered applied to shin ulcers is good (Li Shizhen).
[Elucidations] Li Shizhen says: *Liu Gen Biezhuan* says Daoist Chen Zi acted mad; Yuan Zhongyang served him respectfully.
Chen Zi said: Illness comes this spring, take 27 kernels. He fell ill, took them, recovered. Also: Regular kernel use repels evil. Yuan's success proves jujube treats evil. Daoist texts say holding kernel treats Qi disorder, generating saliva/swallowing reaches Huanggong, interacting Li/Kan. Xie Cheng's *Later Han Book* says Meng Neng held kernel, fasting for 10 years. All rely on jujube to generate fluids/qi, reaching Huanggong via swallowing.

Leaves
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, warm, slightly toxic. *Bielu* says: Loose powder causes emaciation/vomiting long-term.
[Indications] Covering Ephedra induces sweating (*Benjing*). Mixed with Polygonum flour, rub on heat rash (*Bielu*). Decoct bath for infant high fever (Ma Zhi).
[Attached Prescriptions] New 2.
Infant Shanghan Fever >5 Days: Half handful Jujube Leaves, 0.5 Liang Ephedra, 1 He Scallion/Douchi, 2 Zhong Boy Urine. Decoct to 1 Zhong, divide 2 doses, induce sweat (*Zonglu*).
Regurgitation/Vomiting: 1 Liang Dried Jujube Leaf, 0.5 Liang Agastache, 2.5 Qian Clove. Take 2 Qian, 3 Ginger slices, 1盏 Water, decoct (*Shenghui Fang*).

Wood Heart
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, astringent, warm, slightly toxic.
[Indications] Gu poison abdominal pain, blue-yellow face, emaciation. Grind 1 Hu, add water 3 Cun deep, boil to 2 Dou clear, reduce to 5 Sheng. Morning take 5 He, induce vomiting, cured. Red water decoction also unblocks meridians (Li Shizhen, *Duanju Fang*).

Roots
[Indications] Infant Chi Dan starting from foot sole, decoct for frequent baths (Li Shizhen, *Qianjin*).
[Attached Prescriptions] Old 1.
Promote Hair Growth: East-facing Jujube Root 3 Chi, steam over steamer, collect sweat from ends, apply to hair (*Shenghui Fang*).

Bark
[Indications] Same as old Mulberry bark, take north-facing, equal parts, burn/powder. Take 1 He, well-water decoct, clarify, wash eyes. 3 times/month, restores vision. Avoid meat/alcohol/sex (Li Shizhen).