气味酸，温，无毒。主益气，咳逆上气，劳伤羸瘦，补不足，强阴，益男子精
陈修园曰∶五味子气温味酸，得东方生长之气而主风。人在风中而不见风，犹鱼在水中
而不见水。人之鼻息出入，顷刻离风则死，可知人之所以生者，风也。风气通于肝，即人身
之木气。庄子云∶“野马也，尘埃也，生物之息以相吹也。”“息”字有二义∶一曰“生息
”，二曰“休息”。五味子温以遂木气之发荣，酸以敛木气之归根。生息休息，皆所以益其
生生不穷之气。倘其气不治，（治，安也。）咳逆上气者，风木挟火气而乘金也。为劳伤、为
羸瘦、为阴痿、为精虚者，则《金匮》所谓虚劳诸不足，风气百疾是也。风气通于肝，先圣
提出虚劳大眼目，惜后人不能申明其义。五味子益气中，大具开阖升降之妙，所以概主之唐
、宋以也。下，诸家有谓其具五味而兼治五脏者；有谓其酸以敛肺，色黑入肾，核似肾而补
肾者。想当然之说，究非定论也。然肝治五脏，得其生气而安，为《本经》言外之正旨。仲
景佐以干姜，助其温气，俾气与味相得而益彰是，补天手段。
气味甘、微寒，无毒。主筋急拘挛，不可屈伸，久风湿痹，下气。久服轻身益气。
陈修园曰∶薏苡仁夏长秋成，味甘色白，禀阳明金土之精。金能制风，土能胜湿，故治
以上诸证。久服轻身益气者，以湿行则脾健而身轻，金清则肺治而气益也。
[Schisandrae Fructus]
Flavor and Nature: Sour, warm, non-toxic.
Indications: Primarily benefits Qi, treats coughing with rebellious Qi (cough and asthma), emaciation and weakness due to labor injury, supplements deficiencies, strengthens Yin essence, and benefits male Jing (essence).
Chen Xiuyuan stated: Schisandrae Fructus is warm in nature and sour in flavor, inheriting the growing Qi of the East, thus governing wind pathogens. A person exists within the wind yet does not perceive it, just as a fish exists in water yet does not perceive water. Human respiration through the nose; if separated from wind for even an instant, death ensues. This reveals that what sustains human life is wind. Wind Qi connects with the Liver, which corresponds to the Wood Qi within the human body. Zhuangzi said: "The wild horses [mist], the dust, these are the breaths of living things blowing against each other." The character "breath" (Xi) has two meanings: one is "vitality/growth," and the other is "rest." The warmth of Schisandrae Fructus facilitates the flourishing of Wood Qi, while its sourness gathers and returns Wood Qi to its root. Both vitality and rest serve to benefit the endless cycle of generation. If Qi is disordered, (Zhi means to calm/peace), resulting in coughing with rebellious Qi, it is because Wind-Wood carries Fire Qi to attack Metal-Lung. Conditions such as labor injury, emaciation, impotence, and Jing deficiency correspond to what is described in *Jin Gui Yao Lue* as various deficiencies of consumptive disease and myriad diseases caused by wind pathogens. Wind Qi connects with the Liver. The Sages clearly highlighted consumptive disease as a major diagnostic focus, yet later generations failed to elucidate its meaning. Schisandrae Fructus possesses profound mechanisms of opening/closing and ascending/descending within its Qi-benefiting action. Therefore, since the Tang and Song dynasties, physicians have universally praised it. Later scholars proposed that it contains all five flavors and treats the five Zang organs; or that its sourness astringes Lung Qi, its black color enters the Kidney, and its seed shape resembles the Kidney thereby tonifying it. These are speculative theories and ultimately not definitive conclusions. However, the Liver governs the five Zang organs; obtaining its generating Qi ensures harmony. This is the true intent beyond the words of *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing*. Zhang Zhongjing used Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang) to assist Schisandrae Fructus, enhancing its warming property, allowing Qi and Flavor to complement each other and manifest more prominently. This is a skillful method for replenishing Heavenly Yuan (Primordial Essence).
[Coicis Semen]
Flavor and Nature: Sweet, slightly cold, non-toxic.
Indications: Primarily treats muscle tension and spasms preventing flexion and extension, chronic wind-damp bi syndrome (painful obstruction), and descends rebellious Qi. Long-term consumption lightens the body and benefits Qi.
Chen Xiuyuan stated: Coicis Semen grows in summer and matures in autumn. It is sweet in flavor and white in color, inheriting the essence of Yangming Earth (Spleen/Stomach) and Metal (Large Intestine/Lung). Metal can restrain wind, and Earth can overcome dampness; therefore, it treats the aforementioned conditions. The reason long-term consumption lightens the body and benefits Qi is that when dampness disperses, the Spleen becomes robust and the body feels light; when Metal is clear, the Lung functions properly and Qi is strengthened.