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(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Classic of Materia Medica])

**Names:** Shu Suan Zao (Shu Sour Jujube) (*Bencao Jing*), Rou Zao (Meat Jujube) (*Ben Gang Mu*), Shi (*Wu Pu*).

Lei Zong stated: *Corni Fructus* (Mountain Dogwood Fruit) is very dissimilar to *Eucommiae Cortex* (Eucommia Bark, often referred to as Wu Zhu Yu in certain contexts or confused with it), and their therapeutic applications are significantly different. It is unclear why they share such similar names?

Li Shizhen stated: *Shennong Bencao Jing* lists one of its names as Shu Suan Zao. People today call it Rou Zao. Both names are derived from its shape.

**Collection and Description:** *Mingyi Bie Lu* (Additional Records of Famous Physicians) states: *Corni Fructus* grows in the valleys of Hanzhong, as well as in Langya, Yuanju, Donghai, and Chengyin. It should be dried in the shade.

Su Song stated: The leaves resemble those of the plum tree and have prickly hairs. It flowers in the second lunar month, resembling apricot blossoms. The fruit matures in the fourth lunar month, looking like sour jujubes and appearing red. The fruits are harvested in the fifth lunar month.

Tao Hongjing stated: It grows on large trees in mountains near inhabited areas. When the fruits are freshly ripe but not yet dry, they are red, resembling *Paliurus hemsleyanus* (Chinese Honeythorn), and are edible. Once dried, the skin becomes very thin; they should be used with the seed/core included.

Su Song stated: It is now also found in Haizhou and Yanzhou. The tree grows over one zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) high. The leaves resemble elm leaves, and the flowers are white. Lei Xiao’s *Leigong Paozhi Lun* mentions a plant called "Que'er Su" which looks very similar, but its fruit core has eight ridges and is not suitable for medicinal use.

**Processing:** Lei Xiao stated: When using *Corni Fructus*, moisten it with wine, remove the core, and take only the flesh. From one jin (approx. 500g) of fresh fruit, only about four liang (approx. 200g) of flesh can be obtained. It must be slowly boiled until dry before use. It strengthens Yuan Qi (Primal Energy) and secures Essence (Jing). The core causes seminal emission and should not be taken.

**Flavor and Properties:** Sour, neutral, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bie Lu* states: slightly warm.

Wu Pu stated: Shennong, Huangdi, Leigong, and Bian Que considered it sour and non-toxic; Qibo considered it pungent.

Li Quan stated: Salty, pungent, greatly hot.

Li Haogu stated: It belongs to Yin within Yang. It enters the Qi aspect of the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian and the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.

Xu Zhicai stated: *Polygonum multiflorum* fruit acts as its guiding herb. It is incompatible with Platycodon Root, Saposhnikovia Root, and Stephania Root.

**Indications:** Treats cold-heat sensations caused by pathogenic qi under the heart; warms the middle jiao; expels cold-dampness bi-syndrome; eliminates three types of parasites. Long-term consumption lightens the body (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).

Treats cold-heat hernia masses, migratory wind-cold headache, nasal congestion, yellow eyes, deafness, dull complexion; directs qi downward and stops sweating; strengthens Yin and benefits Essence; calms the five zang organs; unblocks the nine orifices; reduces frequent urination. Long-term consumption brightens the eyes, enhances strength, and prolongs life (*Mingyi Bie Lu*).

Treats pain in the brain and skull; treats ear disorders; replenishes marrow and essence; stops involuntary urination in the elderly; treats facial sores; induces sweating; regulates irregular menstruation (Zhen Quan).

Warms the waist and knees; assists the Water Organ (Kidneys); dispels all wind; expels all stagnant qi; breaks up mass formations; treats rhinophyma (Daming). Warms the Liver (Zhang Yuansu).

**Elucidation:** Li Haogu stated: Slipperiness leads to Qi collapse; astringents are used to consolidate it. *Corni Fructus* stops frequent urination and secures Essence and Jing because of its sour and astringent flavor, which consolidates slipperiness. Zhang Zhongjing uses it as the Sovereign herb in Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia); its nature and flavor can thus be understood.

**Attached Prescriptions:** One new prescription.

Caohuan Dan (Grass Returning Pill): Benefits Yuan Yang (Primal Yang), supplements Yuan Qi, consolidates Yuan Jing, and strengthens Yuan Shen (Primal Spirit). It is an excellent medicine for longevity and continuing the lineage. *Corni Fructus* (soaked in wine, flesh taken) one jin, Po Gu Zhi (Bone Setter/Burkholderia Seed, soaked in wine and baked dry) half a jin, Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root) four liang, She Xiang (Musk) one qian. Grind into powder, make pills with refined honey the size of paulownia seeds. Take 81 pills each time, swallowed with salted wine before bedtime. (From Wu Zhifang's *Fushou Fang*)