（宋《开宝》）
【释名】KT （古榛字）。
时珍曰∶案∶罗氏《尔雅翼》云∶《礼记》郑玄注云∶关中甚多此果。关中，秦地也。
榛之从秦，盖取此意。《左传》云∶女贽不过榛、栗、枣、 ，以告虔也。则榛有臻至之义
，以其名告己之虔也。古作KT ，从辛，从木。俗作莘，误矣。莘，音诜。
【集解】志曰∶榛生辽东山谷。树高丈许。子如小栗，军行食之当粮。中土亦有。郑玄
云∶关中 、坊甚多。
颂曰∶桂阳有KT 而丛生，实大如杏子中仁，皮子形色与栗无异，但小耳。
大明曰∶新罗榛子肥白，最良。
时珍曰∶榛树低小如荆，丛生。冬末开花如栎花，成条下垂，长二、三寸。二月生叶如
初生樱桃，叶多皱纹而有细齿及尖。其实作苞，三、五相粘，一苞一实。实如栎实，下壮上
锐，生青熟褐，其壳浓而坚，其仁白而圆，大如杏仁，亦有皮尖，然多空者，故谚云十榛九
空。按∶陆机《诗疏》云∶榛有两种∶一种大小、枝叶、皮树皆如栗，而子小，形如橡子，
味亦如栗，枝茎可以为烛，《诗》所谓树之榛栗者也；一种高丈余，枝叶如木蓼，子作胡桃
味，辽、代、上党甚多
仁
【气味】甘，平，无毒。
【主治】益气力，实肠胃，令人不饥、健行（《开宝》）。止饥，调中开胃，甚验（大明）
(Sourced from the Song Dynasty *Kaibao Bencao*)
[Names] KT (Ancient character for "Zhen").
Li Shizhen states: According to Luo Yuan's *Erya Yi*, Zheng Xuan, in his commentary on the *Book of Rites* (*Liji*), noted: "This fruit is very abundant in the Guanzhong region." Guanzhong refers to the land of Qin. The character "Zhen" containing the component "Qin" likely derives from this meaning. The *Zuo Zhuan* states: "The gift presented by a woman consists only of Zhen, chestnuts, dates, and dried meat, to show piety." Thus, Zhen carries the meaning of "attainment" or "arrival," using its name to convey one's sincerity. In ancient times, it was written as KT, composed of "Xin" (spicy/pungent) and "Mu" (wood). The vernacular form "Shen" is incorrect. "Shen" is pronounced shēn.
[Collection and Explanation] Su Song stated: Zhen grows in the valleys of Liaodong. The tree is about one zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) high. The nuts are like small chestnuts; soldiers eat them during marches as rations. It also grows in the Central Plains. Zheng Xuan said: "Zhen fruits are very numerous in the Guanzhong area."
Kou Zongshi stated: In Guiyang, there is a variety of Zhen that grows in clusters. The fruits are as large as apricot kernels; the skin and nut color and shape are indistinguishable from chestnuts, except that they are smaller.
Tang Shenwei (Daming) stated: Zhen nuts from Silla are plump and white, and are of the best quality.
Li Shizhen stated: The Zhen tree is low and small, resembling brambles, and grows in clusters. It flowers at the end of winter, with catkins similar to those of oak trees, hanging down in strands two to three cun long. Leaves emerge in the second lunar month, resembling young cherry leaves; the leaves are wrinkled with fine teeth and pointed tips. The fruits are enclosed in husks, adhering in groups of three to five, with one fruit per husk. The nut resembles an acorn: stout at the base and tapering at the apex; green when raw and brown when ripe. The shell is thick and hard; the kernel is white and round, about the size of an almond, sometimes retaining the pellicle. However, many are hollow, hence the proverb says, "Nine out of ten Zhen nuts are empty." Note: Lu Ji, in his *Commentary on the Book of Songs* (*Shi Shu*), stated that there are two types of Zhen: one type has size, branches, leaves, and bark similar to chestnuts, but the nuts are smaller, shaped like acorns, and taste like chestnuts; its branches can be used as candles, which corresponds to the line in the *Book of Songs*: "Planting Zhen and Chestnuts." The other type grows over one zhang high, with leaves resembling *Polygonum tinctorium* (Wood Knotweed), and nuts tasting like walnuts. This type is abundant in Liaozhou, Daizhou, and Shangdang.
[Properties and Flavor] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Tonifies qi and strengthens strength, consolidates the stomach and intestines, prevents hunger, and promotes vigorous walking (*Kaibao Bencao*). Relieves hunger, harmonizes the middle jiao, and opens the appetite, with significant efficacy (Tang Shenwei / *Jiayou Bencao*).