气味苦、寒，无毒。主五内邪气，热中消渴，周麻风湿。久服坚筋骨，轻身不老
，耐寒暑。
陈修园曰∶枸杞气寒，禀水气而入肾；味苦无毒，得火味而入心。五内，即五脏。五脏
为藏阴之地，热气伤阴即为邪气，邪气伏于中则为热中，热中则津液不足，内不能滋润脏腑
而为消渴，外不能灌溉经络而为周痹。热甚则生风，热郁则成湿，种种相因，唯枸杞之苦寒
清热可以统主之。“久服坚筋骨，轻身不老，耐寒暑”三句，则又申言其心肾交补之功，以
肾字从坚，补之即所以坚之也。坚则身健而轻，自忘老态；况肾水足可以耐暑，心火宁可以
耐寒，洵为饮食之上剂。然苦寒二字，《本经》概根、苗、花、子而言。若单论其子，严冬
霜雪之中，红润可爱，是禀少阴水精之气兼少阴君火之化，为补养心肾之良药；但性缓不可
以治大病、急病耳。
气味辛、温，无毒。主邪气，辟毒疫瘟鬼，强志，主淋露。久服不梦寤魇寐。
张隐庵曰∶木香其数五，气味辛温，上彻九天，禀手足太阴天地之气化，主交感天地之
气，上下相通。治邪气者，地气四散也。辟毒疫瘟鬼者，天气光明也。强志者，天生水，水
生则肾志强。主淋露者，地气上腾，气腾则淋露降。天地交感，则阴阳和、开阖利，故久服
不梦寤魇寐。梦寤者，梦中之梦；魇寐者，寐中之魇也。
[Coptis / Lycium Bark context implied by text, but specifically treating the provided text as "Lycii Cortex/Fructus" section based on content]
**Taste and Nature**: Bitter, Cold, Non-toxic. It primarily treats pathogenic factors within the five zang organs, internal heat with thirst (Re Zhong Xiao Ke), and generalized bi syndrome (Zhou Bi). Long-term consumption strengthens the sinews and bones, lightens the body, delays aging, and enhances tolerance to cold and heat.
Chen Xiuyuan states: Lycium has a cold nature, inheriting Water Qi to enter the Kidney channel; it is bitter and non-toxic, deriving from Fire taste to enter the Heart channel. "Five Ne" refers to the five zang organs. The five zang organs are the residence of Yin essence. When Heat Qi damages Yin essence, it is termed pathogenic factor. When pathogenic factors lurk inside, they become "internal heat" (Re Zhong). Internal heat leads to insufficient body fluids; internally, it fails to moisten the zang-fu organs, causing wasting-thirst syndrome (Xiao Ke); externally, it fails to irrigate the meridians, causing generalized bi syndrome (Zhou Bi). Severe heat generates wind, and stagnant heat forms dampness. These conditions are interrelated. Only the bitter-cold property of Lycium can clear heat and thus comprehensively treat them. The three phrases "long-term consumption strengthens sinews and bones, lightens the body, delays aging, and tolerates cold and heat" further elaborate its efficacy in mutually tonifying the Heart and Kidney. The character "Jian" (firm/strengthen) relates to the Kidney; tonifying it results in strengthening. When firm, the body becomes healthy and light, naturally forgetting signs of aging. Moreover, sufficient Kidney Water allows tolerance to summer heat, and tranquilized Heart Fire allows tolerance to winter cold. Truly, this is a superior dietary agent. However, the term "bitter and cold" in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* applies to the root, sprout, flower, and fruit collectively. If discussing only the fruit, amidst severe winter frost and snow, it appears ruddy and lovely. This indicates it inherits the essence of Shaoyin Water and undergoes the transformation of Shaoyin Ministerial Fire, making it an excellent medicine for tonifying the Heart and Kidney. Nevertheless, its action is slow and mild, so it cannot be used to treat major or acute diseases.
[Aucklandia Root / Costus Root context implied by text, specifically "Muxiang"]
**Taste and Nature**: Pungent, Warm, Non-toxic. It treats pathogenic factors, wards off toxic epidemics and pestilential ghosts, strengthens willpower, and primarily treats strangury (Lin) and seminal emissions/leukorrhea. Long-term consumption prevents vivid dreaming upon waking or sleep terrors.
Zhang Yinan states: Muxiang corresponds to the number five. Its taste is pungent and warm, reaching up to the highest heavens, inheriting the Heaven and Earth Qi transformations of the Hand and Foot Taiyin (Lung and Spleen) channels. It governs the interaction of Heaven and Earth Qi, ensuring communication between above and below. Treating pathogenic factors involves the dispersion of Earth Qi. Warding off toxic epidemics involves the brightness of Heaven Qi. Strengthening willpower occurs because Heaven generates Water; when Water is generated, the Kidney's willpower becomes strong. Treating strangury and emissions occurs because Earth Qi ascends; when Qi ascends, moisture descends. When Heaven and Earth Qi interact, Yin and Yang harmonize, and opening/closing functions proceed smoothly. Therefore, long-term consumption prevents dream-disturbed sleep or sleep terrors. "Meng Wu" refers to dreams within dreams (lucid dreaming-like state); "Yan Mei" refers to sleep terrors during sleep.