（本经上品）
【气味】酸温，无毒。
【主治】主益气，咳逆上气，劳伤羸瘦，补不足，强阴，益男子精。
【核】曰∶生齐山山谷、青州、冀州，陕西代郡诸处。高丽者最胜，河中府者岁贡，杭
越间亦有之。俱不及高丽河中之肥大膏润耳。春时蔓生木上，长六七尺，叶尖圆似杏，三月
作花黄白似莲，七月成实，丛生茎端，如豌豆，生青熟紫，五味俱全。修治，以铜刀劈作两
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先人云∶玄者，一阳初动，冬藏之半也。人身之气，藏者为精，精之能动者为玄。玄之
所未及，正精之所闭密也，故一名玄及。髓会为精，故又名会及。会字之义，如百骸髓会而
为精，一滴生人，众形毕具。
又曰∶益降气之不足，正所以强阴也。倘阴柔深曲者，饵之便成淡阴，重憎悭象耳。
【 】曰∶五味俱全，酸收独重，重为轻根，俾轻从重，故益降下之气也。咳逆上气者，
正肺用不足，不能自上而下，以顺降入之令。劳伤羸瘦者，即经云∶烦劳则张精绝，使人煎
厥肉烁也。此补劳伤致降下之不足，与补中益气之治不能升出者反。能降便是强阴，阴强便
能入矣。以入为水藏事，故益男子精。精为水藏物耳。设六淫外束，及肺气焦满，饵之反引
邪入藏，永无出期，纵得生全，须仗夏火从中带出，或为斑疹，或作疮疡，得汗乃解，倘未
深解病情，愿言珍重。
【《神农本草经》列为上品】
【气味】味酸，性温，无毒。
【主治功效】主要能补益元气，治疗气逆咳嗽，缓解因劳损导致的身体消瘦虚弱，补充体内不足，增强阴精，对男性的精气有补益作用。
【考证】曰：五味子产于齐山山谷、青州、冀州以及陕西代郡等地。其中高丽（朝鲜）产的质量最好，河中府产的作为岁贡进献，杭州和越州之间也有出产。但都不如高丽和河中府产的肥大且滋润。春天时在树木上蔓生，长六七尺，叶子尖圆像杏叶，三月开出黄白色像莲花一样的花，七月结成果实，丛生在茎端，形状像豌豆，未成熟时青色，成熟后紫色，具备酸、苦、甘、辛、咸五种味道。炮制方法是用铜刀将其劈成两半。
先人说：玄，指一阳初动，是冬季闭藏的一半状态。人体之气，闭藏的部分称为精，精中能够活动的部分称为玄。玄所不能达到的地方，正是精所闭密保存的地方，所以五味子又名“玄及”。髓汇聚而成精，所以又名为“会及”。“会”字的含义，就像百骸之髓汇聚而成精，一滴精液便能生成人，各种形体全部具备。
又说：五味子能补益降气功能的不足，这正是增强阴精的作用。如果患者体质属于阴柔深曲类型，服用它便会使阴气变得淡薄，反而加重了吝啬阴沉的象义。
【按语】曰：五味子五味俱全，但酸收的作用最为显著。重是轻的根本，使轻浮之气转为沉重，因此能补益下陷之气。气逆咳嗽，正是肺的功能不足，不能将气从上往下顺降。劳损导致的身体消瘦虚弱，正如经文所说：“烦劳则张精绝，使人煎厥肉烁也。”这是补益因劳伤导致的下气不足，与补中益气汤治疗中气不能升举的情况相反。能够降气就是强阴，阴气强盛就能入内。以“入”为水脏（肾）的功能，所以能补益男子的精气。精是水脏中的物质罢了。假如外感六淫邪气束缚体表，或者肺气焦满，服用它反而会引邪气深入脏腑，永远无法排出，即使得以保全性命，也需要依靠夏季的火气从中带出，或者表现为斑疹，或者形成疮疡，必须出汗才能解除病情。如果没有深刻理解病情的机理，希望说话谨慎，多加保重。
[Classified as Top Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
【Flavor and Nature】 Sour, warm, non-toxic.
【Indications】 Primarily tonifies Qi (vital energy), treats rebellious coughing and upward rushing of Qi, alleviates emaciation and weakness caused by overstrain, supplements deficiencies, strengthens Yin essence, and benefits male sperm.
【Verification】 It is stated: Wuweizi grows in the valleys of Qi Mountain, Qingzhou, Jizhou, and Daijun in Shaanxi. The variety from Goryeo (Korea) is the best; the variety from Hezhong Prefecture was offered as annual tribute; it is also found between Hangzhou and Yuezhou. However, none are as plump and moist as those from Goryeo and Hezhong. In spring, it climbs on trees, growing six or seven chi long. The leaves are pointed and round, resembling apricot leaves. In the third lunar month, it produces yellow-white flowers resembling lotus blossoms. In the seventh lunar month, fruits form, clustered at the stem tips, resembling peas. They are green when raw and purple when ripe, possessing all five flavors. For processing, they are split into two halves using a copper knife.
Ancestors said: "Xuan" refers to the initial movement of Yang, which is half of winter storage. In the human body, the stored aspect of Qi is called Jing (essence); the active aspect of Jing is called Xuan. Where Xuan does not reach, that is precisely where Jing is tightly sealed. Therefore, it is also named "Xuanji". Marrow converges to form Jing, hence it is also named "Huiji". The meaning of "Hui" is like the convergence of marrow in all bones to form Jing; a single drop of Jing generates a human, and all forms are complete.
It is further said: Supplementing the deficiency of descending Qi is exactly how it strengthens Yin. If one's constitution is deeply Yin and soft, taking it may result in a dilute Yin state, exacerbating the image of stinginess and gloom.
[Commentary] It is stated: Wuweizi possesses all five flavors, but its sour astringent property is heaviest. Heaviness is the root of lightness; making light become heavy allows it to benefit the deficient descending Qi. Rebellious coughing and upward rushing of Qi indicate insufficient Lung function, unable to direct Qi downward in compliance with the command of descent. Emaciation and weakness due to overstrain refer to the classic statement: "Vexing labor leads to the exhaustion of Jing, causing burning collapse and flesh wasting." This treatment supplements the deficiency of descending Qi caused by labor injury, which is contrary to the treatment of middle Qi deficiency that cannot ascend. The ability to descend constitutes strengthening Yin; when Yin is strong, it can enter. Entering relates to the functions of the Water Zang (Kidney), thus benefiting male Jing. Jing is merely the substance of the Water Zang. If external constraints by the Six Excesses exist, or if Lung Qi is scorched and full, taking Wuweizi would instead draw pathogenic factors into the Zang organs, with no hope of expulsion. Even if life is preserved, it must rely on Summer Fire to bring them out from within, manifesting as macules and papules, or sores and ulcers, resolving only after sweating. If one has not deeply understood the pathology, one should speak with caution and take care.