主治胸间停水也。故治喘咳，而旁治短气结胸、心痛、形体浮肿。
考 证
麻黄汤证曰∶无汗而喘。
以上一方，杏仁七十个。
苓甘姜味辛夏仁汤证曰∶形肿者，加杏仁。
以上一方，杏仁半斤。
茯苓杏仁甘草汤证曰∶胸中气塞短气。
麻黄杏仁甘草石膏汤证曰∶喘。
桂枝加浓朴杏子汤证曰∶喘。
以上三方，杏仁皆五十个。
大青龙汤证曰∶咳喘。
麻黄杏仁薏苡甘草汤，证不具也。（说在《类聚方》）
以上二方，杏仁四十个，二两而五十个之例。
大陷胸丸证曰∶结胸者，项亦强。
走马汤证曰∶心痛。
以上二方，杏仁诸药等分。
上历观此诸方，杏仁主治胸间停水也明矣。
互 考
杏仁、麻黄，同治喘，而有其别。胸满，不用麻黄。身疼，不用杏仁。其二物等用者，
以有胸满身疼二证也。《金匮要略》曰∶胸痹云云，茯苓杏仁甘草汤主之，橘枳姜汤亦主之。
为则按∶胸痹短气、筋惕肉 、心下悸者，茯苓杏仁甘草汤主之。胸痹呕吐呃逆者，橘皮枳
实生姜汤主之。二方治一证，非古之道也。栝蒌实条，既辨明之，今不赘于兹也。
品 考
杏仁 和、汉无异品也。制之之法，去皮不去尖。
主治挛引强急也。旁治咳嗽、奔豚、烦躁、身疼、胁痛、腹中痛。
考 证
十枣汤证曰∶引胁下痛。又曰∶咳烦、胸中痛。
葶苈大枣汤证曰∶咳逆上气、喘鸣迫塞。又曰∶不得息。
以上二方，以大枣为君药，一则十枚，一则十二枚。
苓桂甘枣汤证曰∶欲作奔豚。
越婢汤，证不具也。（说在《类聚方》）
生姜甘草汤，证不具也。（说在互考中）
以上三方，大枣皆十五枚。
甘麦大枣汤证曰∶脏躁、喜悲伤。
以上一方，大枣十枚。
小柴胡汤证曰∶颈项强。又云∶胁痛。
小建中汤证曰∶急痛。
大青龙汤证曰∶身疼痛、汗不出而烦躁。
黄连汤证曰∶腹中痛。
葛根汤证曰∶项背强。
黄芩汤，证不具也。（说在《类聚方》）
桂枝加黄 汤证曰∶身疼重、烦躁。
吴茱萸汤证曰∶烦躁。
以上八方，大枣皆十二枚。
上历试此诸方。皆其所举诸证，而有挛引强急之状者，用大枣则治矣，不则无效也。且
也十枣汤，大枣为君药，而有引痛证，斯可以为征已。
互 考
甘麦大枣汤条，有喜悲伤证，此毒之逼迫也，故用大枣以治挛引强急，用甘草、小麦以
缓迫急也。
苓桂甘枣汤条，有奔豚证，此其毒动而上冲，有挛引强急之状者，故用大枣也；生姜甘
草汤证曰∶咳唾涎沫不止。为则按∶若之人患，胸中有挛引强急之状，故用大枣居多也。
为则按∶仲景氏用大枣、甘草、芍药，其证候大同而小异，要在自得焉耳。
辨 误
大枣养脾胃之说，非古也，不取焉。古人云∶攻病以毒药，养精以谷肉果菜。夫攻之与
养，所主不同，一物而二义。如曾晰之于羊枣，好而食之是养也。如十枣汤，用大枣，恶而
不避，是攻也。无他嗜好之品，而充食用，则为养也。而充药物，则为攻也。十枣汤，大枣
为君，而治挛引强急，岂以为养哉？
品 考
大枣 汉种者为良。其品核小而肉浓也，不去核而锉用之。
It primarily treats fluid retention in the chest cavity. Therefore, it is used to treat wheezing and coughing, and secondarily for shortness of breath, Jie Xiong (Chest Binding Syndrome), heart pain, and generalized edema.
EVIDENCE
The Ma Huang Tang syndrome states: "No sweating and wheezing."
In the above one formula, seventy apricot kernels are used.
The Ling Gan Jiang Wei Xin Xia Ren Tang syndrome states: "For those with physical swelling, add apricot kernels."
In the above one formula, half a jin of apricot kernels is used.
The Fu Ling Xing Ren Gan Cao Tang syndrome states: "Sensation of Qi obstruction in the chest and shortness of breath."
The Ma Huang Xing Ren Gan Cao Shi Gao Tang syndrome states: "Wheezing."
The Gui Zhi Jia Hou Po Xing Zi Tang syndrome states: "Wheezing."
In the above three formulas, fifty apricot kernels are used in each.
The Da Qing Long Tang syndrome states: "Coughing and wheezing."
The Ma Huang Xing Ren Yi Yi Gan Cao Tang, the syndrome description is incomplete. (See *Lei Ju Fang*).
In the above two formulas, forty apricot kernels are used; this follows the example where two liang equals fifty kernels.
The Da Xian Xiong Wan syndrome states: "Those with Jie Xiong also have neck stiffness."
The Zou Ma Tang syndrome states: "Heart pain."
In the above two formulas, apricot kernels and other herbs are used in equal proportions.
Having reviewed these various formulas, it is clear that apricot kernels primarily treat fluid retention in the chest cavity.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Apricot kernels and Ephedra both treat wheezing, but there are distinctions. If there is chest fullness, Ephedra is not used. If there is body pain, apricot kernels are not used. When both are used in equal amounts, it is because both chest fullness and body pain syndromes are present. The *Jin Gui Yao Lue* states regarding Xiong Bi: ... Fu Ling Xing Ren Gan Cao Tang is the primary treatment, and Ju Zhi Jiang Tang is also used.
Weize's commentary: For Xiong Bi accompanied by shortness of breath, muscle twitching, and palpitations under the heart, Fu Ling Xing Ren Gan Cao Tang is the primary treatment. For Xiong Bi accompanied by vomiting and hiccups, Ju Pi Zhi Shi Sheng Jiang Tang is the primary treatment. Using two different formulas to treat one syndrome is not the ancient method. This has been clarified in the section on Gua Lou Shi, so no further elaboration is needed here.
MATERIAL ANALYSIS
Apricot Kernels: There is no difference between Japanese and Chinese varieties. The processing method involves removing the skin but keeping the tips.
It primarily treats spasms, traction sensations, and rigidity/tension. Secondarily, it treats coughing, Ben Tun (Rushing Pig disease), irritability, body pain, hypochondriac pain, and abdominal pain.
EVIDENCE
The Shi Zao Tang syndrome states: "Pain radiating from the hypochondrium." It also states: "Cough, irritability, and chest pain."
The Ting Li Da Zao Tang syndrome states: "Rebellious Qi causing cough and wheezing with obstructive sounds." It also states: "Difficulty breathing."
In the above two formulas, Jujube is the sovereign herb; one uses ten pieces, the other twelve.
The Ling Gui Gan Zao Tang syndrome states: "Impending Ben Tun."
The Yue Bi Tang, the syndrome description is incomplete. (See *Lei Ju Fang*).
The Sheng Jiang Gan Cao Tang, the syndrome description is incomplete. (See Comparative Analysis).
In the above three formulas, fifteen Jujubes are used in each.
The Gan Mai Da Zao Tang syndrome states: "Zang Zao (Visceral Agitation) and a tendency toward sadness."
In the above one formula, ten Jujubes are used.
The Xiao Chai Hu Tang syndrome states: "Neck and nape stiffness." It also says: "Hypochondriac pain."
The Xiao Jian Zhong Tang syndrome states: "Acute pain."
The Da Qing Long Tang syndrome states: "Body pain, lack of sweating, and irritability."
The Huang Lian Tang syndrome states: "Abdominal pain."
The Ge Gen Tang syndrome states: "Stiffness in the neck and back."
The Huang Qin Tang, the syndrome description is incomplete. (See *Lei Ju Fang*).
The Gui Zhi Jia Huang Qi Tang syndrome states: "Heavy body pain and irritability."
The Wu Zhu Yu Tang syndrome states: "Irritability."
In the above eight formulas, twelve Jujubes are used in each.
Having tested these various formulas, whenever the listed syndromes present with signs of spasms, traction, and rigidity, using Jujube leads to cure; otherwise, it is ineffective. Furthermore, in Shi Zao Tang, Jujube serves as the sovereign herb to address the pulling pain syndrome, which serves as sufficient evidence.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
In the Gan Mai Da Zao Tang entry, the symptom of "tendency toward sadness" indicates coercion by pathogenic factors. Thus, Jujube is used to treat spasms and rigidity, while Licorice and Wheat are used to alleviate urgency.
In the Ling Gui Gan Zao Tang entry, the Ben Tun syndrome indicates pathogenic factors moving upward with rebellion, presenting with spasms and rigidity; hence, Jujube is used. The Sheng Jiang Gan Cao Tang syndrome states: "Unceasing coughing and spitting of saliva/foam." Weize's commentary: Such patients suffer from spasms and rigidity in the chest, so Jujube is frequently used.
Weize's commentary: When Zhang Zhongjing uses Jujube, Licorice, and White Peony Root, the syndromes are largely similar with minor differences; the key lies in personal comprehension.
CORRECTION OF ERRORS
The theory that Jujube nourishes the Spleen and Stomach is not ancient and is rejected. The ancients said: "Attack diseases with toxic substances; nourish essence with grains, meats, fruits, and vegetables." Attacking and nourishing have different purposes; one substance has two meanings. For example, Zeng Xi's preference for eating wild dates is nourishment. In Shi Zao Tang, Jujube is used despite its unpleasant taste, serving an attacking function. Items without specific preferences, when consumed as food, serve nourishment; when used as medicine, they serve attack. In Shi Zao Tang, Jujube is the sovereign herb treating spasms and rigidity; how could this be considered nourishment?
MATERIAL ANALYSIS
Jujube: Chinese varieties are superior. These varieties have small pits and thick flesh. They are not pitted but are chopped for use.