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[Classified as Upper Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
**Names:** Also known as "Ci" (referenced in *Erya*), or Mountain Jujube.
**Collection and Explanation:** The *Bielu* states: Sour jujube grows in the river valleys of Hedong. The fruits are harvested in August, dried in the shade, and processed over forty days.
Tao Hongjing said: It is now produced in the Eastern Mountains, said to be the Mountain Jujube tree. The fruit resembles the Wuchang jujube but tastes extremely sour. People in the East eat it to stay awake, which is exactly opposite to the classic text's indication for treating insomnia.
Su Gong said: This is the *Ji* (Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa) tree. The tree is large like the common jujube, the fruit has no fixed shape, but is simply the sour-tasting variety among jujubes. Current physicians mistakenly use the fruit of the *Ji* tree as sour jujube, which is a major error.
Chen Zangqi said: Since sour jujube is the sour type within the category of true jujubes, why is it named "Sour"? If it is named "Sour," it is also described as small. However, among current jujubes, the sour ones are not necessarily small, and the small ones are not necessarily sour. Only Songyangzi stated: My home was in Huatai. The current Sour Jujube County belongs to Huazhou. The trees there are several zhang high, with a trunk diameter of one or two chi. The wood grain is extremely fine, hard, and heavy, suitable for making cart axles, spoons, and chopsticks. The bark is also fine and hard, with patterns resembling snake scales. The fruit is round and small with a sour taste; the kernel is slightly longer than the seed, red as cinnabar. This is highly valued by physicians and difficult for locals to obtain. What is sold in markets today are all fruits of the *Ji* tree. He further added: The Mountain Jujube tree resembles the *Ji* tree; its fruit resembles raw jujube; its pit resembles bone; its flesh is sour, smooth, and delicious, used by mountain people as fruit.
Su Song said: It is now found near Bianjing, Luoyang, and various prefectures in the northwest. Wild varieties mostly grow on slopes and between city walls. It resembles jujube wood but has finer bark; the heartwood is reddish; stems and leaves are green; flowers resemble jujube flowers. Fruits ripen in August, are purple-red, round and small like jujubes, and sour. Harvest the fruits in the month, take the kernels from the pits. This is what is referred to in *Mencius* as "nourishing its *Ji* thorns." Songyangzi claimed that those produced in Sour Jujube County are authentic, whereas current merchandise consists of *Ji* fruits; users should distinguish them carefully.
Li Shizhen said: Sour jujube is indeed the fruit of the *Ji*, nothing else. To claim it is the sour-tasting common jujube is entirely incorrect. Sour jujube is small and round, with kernels that are slightly flattened; common jujube kernels are large and long; they are not similar.
Zhu Zhenheng said: They exist everywhere, depending on whether the local climate is suitable. Songyangzi's statement that sour jujube trees are tall and robust, while current market goods are *Ji* seeds, is incomplete. One must understand that the small ones are *Ji*, and the large ones are sour jujube. They grow easily on flat land but are hard to grow on cliffs and ravines. Thus, *Ji* often grows on cliffs; if left uncut for a long time, it forms a main trunk, and people then call it sour jujube, no longer calling it *Ji*, though they are essentially the same plant. When this plant reaches only three chi in height, it begins to flower and bear fruit. However, smaller bushes have weaker medicinal properties, while larger trees have stronger properties. Those produced in the mountains of Shaanxi and Lintong are also good, due to favorable soil conditions. Later, white thorny branches appear, which are the thorns on the branches before the sour jujube matures. When fully grown, the fruit is large, and the thorns are few. Therefore, large trees are taken as jujube, and small bushes as *Ji*; there is no need to force a distinction.

**Sour Jujube (Suan Zao)**
**Flavor and Nature:** Sour, neutral, non-toxic. Zhu Zhenheng said: Slightly warm.
Li Shizhen said: Kernel: Sweet, neutral.
**Processing:** For use of the kernel, steam it with leaves for half a day, then remove the skin and tips.
**Incompatibilities:** Su Zhicai said: Averse to Fangji (*Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix*).
**Indications:** Treats cold and heat in the chest and abdomen, accumulation of pathogenic qi, soreness and pain in the four limbs, and damp bi-syndrome. Long-term consumption calms the five viscera, lightens the body, and prolongs life. (*Bielu*)
Treats vexation and inability to sleep, pain above and below the umbilicus, chronic diarrhea due to blood disorders, deficiency sweating, vexation, and thirst. It tonifies the middle, benefits liver qi, strengthens sinews and bones, assists yin qi, and can make one fat and vigorous. (*Bielu*)
For wind in sinews and bones, fry the kernel, grind it, and administer with decoction. (Zhen Quan)
**Elucidation:** Su Gong said: The *Benjing* uses the fruit to treat insomnia, not mentioning the kernel. Now all prescriptions use the kernel. Tonifying the middle, benefiting liver qi, strengthening sinews and bones, and assisting yin qi are all functions of the Sour Jujube Kernel.
Zhu Zhenheng said: The classics do not mention using the kernel for sour jujube, yet the whole world uses it now.
Li Shizhen said: According to the *Stone Inscriptions of Medicinal Efficacy* in the *History of the Later Tang* (Five Dynasties): Sour jujube kernel, when raw, is used for excessive sleepiness; when fried/roasted, it is used for insomnia. Tao Hongjing said eating it keeps one awake, while the Classic says it treats insomnia. This is because the fruit flesh is sour; eating it makes one not want to sleep; consuming the kernel treats insomnia. Just as Mahuang (*Ephedrae Herba*) induces sweating, while its root nodes stop sweating.
Li Shizhen said: Sour jujube fruit, being sour and astringent, thus treats Liver diseases, cold-heat knotting of qi, acid-bi, chronic diarrhea, and fullness/pain below the umbilicus. Its kernel is sweet and moistening; thus, when roasted, it treats insomnia, vexation, thirst, and deficiency sweating caused by Gallbladder deficiency; when raw, it treats excessive sleepiness caused by Gallbladder heat. These are both herbs for the Foot-Jueyin (Liver) and Foot-Shaoyang (Gallbladder) meridians. People today exclusively use it for the Heart, which shows a lack of understanding of this principle.
**Attached Prescriptions:** Six old, two new.
**Gallbladder Wind causing Deep Sleep:** Gallbladder wind toxin, imbalance of excess and deficiency, drowsiness and excessive sleep. Use Sour Jujube Kernel 1 liang (raw), Jin Ting Wax Tea 2 liang (coated with fresh ginger juice, roasted until slightly charred), grind into powder. Take 2 qian each time, with 70% water, decoct to 60%, take warm. (*Jianyao Jizhong Fang*)
**Gallbladder Deficiency Insomnia, Frequent Palpitations:** *Shenghui Fang*: Use Sour Jujube Kernel 1 liang, fried until fragrant, ground into powder. Take 2 qian each time, mixed with Bamboo Leaf decoction. *Heji Ju Fang*: Add Ren Shen 1 liang, Chen Sha 0.5 liang, Xuxiang 2.5 qian, refine honey to make pills.
**Palpitations and Insomnia:** Hu Qia Formula: Suanzaoren Tang: Use Sour Jujube Kernel 2 sheng, Fuling, Baizhu, Renshen, Gancao each 2 liang, Shengjiang 6 liang, water 8 sheng, decoct to 3 sheng, divide and take. (*Tujing*)
**Deficiency Vexation and Insomnia:** *Shenshi Fang* Suanzaoren Tang: Use Sour Jujube Kernel 2 sheng, Zhimu, Ganjiang, Fuling, Xiongqiong each 2 liang, Gancao (dosage omitted in source), water 8 sheng, decoct to 3 sheng, divide and take.
**Bone-steaming Insomnia and Vexation:** Use Sour Jujube Kernel 2 liang, 2 zhan of water, grind and squeeze to extract juice, add Gengmi 2 he, cook porridge until ripe, add Dihuang juice 1 he, boil evenly and eat. (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*)
**Night Sweating:** Sour Jujube Kernel, Renshen, Fuling in equal parts. Grind into powder. Take 1 qian each time, with rice drink. (*Jianbian Fang*)