（本经上品）
【气味】甘平，无毒。
【主治】主心腹邪气，安中，养脾气，平胃气，通九窍，助十二经，补少气，少津液、
身中不足，大惊，四肢重，和百药。久服轻身延年。叶覆麻黄，能令出汗。
【核】曰∶近北州郡皆出，青州者特佳。木心绛赤，枝间有刺。四月生小叶尖泽，五月
开小花青白，作兰香，七八月果熟，南北皆有，不及青州者肉浓多脂，种类甚多，如御枣、
水菱枣，味虽美不堪入药，有齿疾疳病，及虫 人，不宜啖，小儿尤不宜食。与葱同食，令
五脏不和；与鱼同食，令腰腹痛；多啖令齿黄生蚀。嵇康有云∶齿处晋而黄是矣。
绍隆王先生云∶味甘气温而性平，中不足者，以温充之，形不足者，以甘辅之。后天生
气，借此盈溢于内外矣。
【 】曰∶甘平多肉，为脾之果，从两束，以束脾与胃之阳气，腐化水谷，设散漫不羁，
便无酝酿宣布之力。唯其束束，方能数数腐化耳。其心赤，故主邪气之在心腹，以致中宫不
安。中安，则养脾和胃矣。十二经络，莫不资始于脾，脾属太阴，太阴开，故开通九窍，而
助十二经脉也。补少气者，补中气之少，补津液者，津液咸从脾运，脾强则津液足，身中有
余，若中气上逆，成大惊者，亦得仗庇，旋归本位，脾主四肢，虚则四肢重，强则四肢轻。
和百药者，甘平无毒，赤心之投也。脾资后天，故轻身延年，脾虚当服，实则不任用之。叶
覆麻黄，则扬液成汗，以能宣通津液，假麻黄张大之力耳。
（合麦门冬参看，则知资始资生，两有异同处，更合龟、鹿、蚱蝉、白僵蚕、狗脊、萆
而推展之。其法不可胜用矣。
唯其束束，则不散漫不羁矣。唯其不散漫不羁，乃得赤心之投矣。尔雅注云∶有壶枣。
壶，犹匏也。自大而锐上者是也。有细腰者，为辘轳枣，其实小而圆紫黑色者，为羊枣。
潘岳赋云∶枣下纂纂，朱实离离。
清异录云∶百益一损者枣。
汉武内传云∶老子西游，省太真王母，共食王门之枣，其实如瓶。
尔雅翼云∶枣者 木，枣束相重，枣 相连。又云∶大而锐上曰壶；细腰曰边；白熟曰
；树小实酢曰腻；实小而圆，紫黑曰遵；大如鸡卵曰洗；苦味曰蹶泄；不着子曰 ；味短
苦曰还味；枣有十一名，郭氏得九焉。后世有紫枣、玄枣、西王母枣、东海蒸枣、洛阳夏内，
与
古者八月剥枣。大戴礼云∶剥者，取也，其修治则曰新之， 之，以为馈食之笾。）
【本经上品】
【气味】味甘，性平，无毒。
【主治】主治心腹部的邪气，安定中焦，滋养脾气，调和胃气，开通九窍，资助十二经脉，补充元气不足、津液匮乏以及身体内部的虚弱，缓解因大惊引起的惊悸，消除四肢沉重感，并能调和各种药物。长期服用可使身体轻盈并延年益寿。用大枣叶覆盖在麻黄上，能够促使发汗。
【核】曰：北方各州郡都有出产，其中青州所产的特别优良。枣树的心材呈绛红色，枝条间长有刺。四月生出小叶，叶片尖端润泽；五月开出小花，颜色青白，散发兰花般的香气；七八月果实成熟，南北各地均有，但都不如青州产的肉厚多脂。品种繁多，如御枣、水菱枣等，味道虽然甜美但不宜入药。患有牙齿疾病、疳积病以及体内有寄生虫的人，不宜食用；小儿尤其不宜多吃。与大葱同食，会导致五脏不和；与鱼肉同食，会引起腰部和腹部疼痛；多吃会使牙齿变黄并产生龋蚀。嵇康曾说：“牙齿在晋地变得发黄就是例子。”
绍隆王先生说：大枣味甘、气温而性平，对于中气不足者，可用其温性来充养；对于形体不足者，可用其甘味来辅助。后天的生气，借此得以充盈于体内内外。
【】曰：大枣味甘、性平且多肉，是脾的果实。它由两半束合而成，用以束缚脾与胃的阳气，从而腐熟和消化水谷。如果散漫不羁，就没有酝酿和宣发的力量。正因为它的束合特性，才能不断地进行腐熟转化。其心为赤色，所以主治心腹部的邪气，导致中宫（脾胃）不安。中焦安宁，就能滋养脾脏并调和胃腑。十二经络，无不以脾为始源，脾属太阴经，太阴主开，所以能开通九窍，并资助十二经脉。补充少气，是补充中气的不足；补充津液，是因为津液皆从脾运化，脾强则津液充足，身体有余。如果中气上逆，引起大惊，也能得到庇护，迅速回归本位。脾主四肢，脾虚则四肢沉重，脾强则四肢轻健。调和百药，是因为其味甘、性平、无毒，且赤心相投。脾资生后天之气，所以能轻身延年，脾虚者应当服用，实证时则不适用。用叶子覆盖麻黄，则能扬津液化为汗，这是借助麻黄宣通津液的强大力量。
（结合麦门冬参看，就知道资始与资生的异同之处，再结合龟、鹿、蚱蝉、白僵蚕、狗脊、萆薢等推展开来，其用法不可胜数。
正因为束合，才不散漫不羁。正因为不散漫不羁，才能得到赤心的投合。《尔雅》注云：有壶枣。壶，就像匏瓜一样。自大而下尖上是这种。有细腰的，叫辘轳枣。果实小而圆紫黑色的，叫羊枣。潘岳赋云：“枣下纂纂，朱实离离。”
《清异录》云：枣是百益一损的食物。
《汉武内传》云：老子西游，探望太真王母，共食王门之枣，其果实像瓶子一样。
《尔雅翼》云：枣是木类，枣束相重，枣相连。又说：大而下尖的叫壶；细腰的叫边；白熟的叫；树小果实酸涩的叫腻；果实小而圆紫黑的叫遵；大如鸡蛋的叫洗；苦味的叫蹶泄；不着果核的叫；味短苦的叫还味；枣有十一种名称，郭氏只得了九种。后世有紫枣、玄枣、西王母枣、东海蒸枣、洛阳夏内，与古者八月剥枣。《大戴礼》云：剥，即取也，其修治称为新之，以为馈食之笾。）
[Shangpin (Superior Grade) of the Classic of Materia Medica]
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, neutral in nature, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats evil qi in the heart and abdomen, calms the middle jiao (middle burner), nourishes spleen qi, harmonizes stomach qi, opens the nine orifices, assists the twelve meridians, supplements deficiency of vital qi (yuan qi) and body fluids, addresses internal bodily insufficiency, alleviates palpitations caused by great fright, removes heaviness in the four limbs, and harmonizes various medicinal herbs. Long-term consumption lightens the body and prolongs life. Covering Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄) with Ziziphi Fructus leaves induces sweating.
[Analysis] It is stated: Produced in northern prefectures, with those from Qingzhou being particularly excellent. The heartwood is crimson red, and thorns are present among the branches. In April, small leaves emerge with sharp, moist tips; in May, small flowers bloom, pale greenish-white, emitting an orchid-like fragrance; fruits ripen in July and August. Available both north and south, but none match the thick flesh and abundant oil of Qingzhou varieties. There are many types, such as Imperial Dates and Water-ridge Dates; although delicious, they are unsuitable for medicinal use. Those suffering from dental diseases, gan syndrome (infantile malnutrition), or intestinal parasites should not consume them; children especially should avoid eating them. Consuming dates with scallions causes disharmony of the five zang organs; consuming them with fish causes waist and abdominal pain; excessive consumption leads to yellowing and erosion of teeth. Ji Kang said: "Teeth turning yellow in Jin is an example."
Mr. Wang Shaolong stated: The flavor is sweet, temperature is warm, and nature is neutral. For those with middle qi deficiency, its warmth replenishes it; for those with form deficiency, its sweetness supports it. Postnatal vital qi thus overflows internally and externally.
[Commentary] Dates are sweet, neutral, and fleshy, representing the fruit of the Spleen. They grow in paired bundles, binding the yang qi of the Spleen and Stomach to rot and transform food and drink. If loose and unrestrained, there would be no power of fermentation and dissemination. Only through this bundling can continuous transformation occur. Its heart is red, so it primarily treats evil qi in the heart and abdomen causing unrest in the central palace (Spleen/Stomach). When the center is calm, it nourishes the Spleen and harmonizes the Stomach. The twelve meridians all originate from the Spleen; the Spleen belongs to the Taiyin channel. Since Taiyin governs opening, it opens the nine orifices and assists the twelve meridians. Supplementing little qi refers to supplementing deficient middle qi; supplementing body fluids is because fluids are transported by the Spleen; a strong Spleen ensures sufficient fluids, leaving the body with surplus. If middle qi rebels upward causing great fright, protection is sought, allowing it to quickly return to its proper position. The Spleen governs the four limbs; deficiency causes heaviness, while strength brings lightness. Harmonizing hundred medicines is due to its sweet, neutral, non-toxic nature and red heart affinity. As the Spleen nourishes postnatal qi, it lightens the body and prolongs life; it should be taken when the Spleen is deficient, but is not applicable in excess conditions. Covering Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄) with leaves promotes fluid transformation into sweat, utilizing the powerful dispersing ability of Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄).
(Compare with Ophiopogonis Radix (Mendong, 麦门冬) to understand the similarities and differences between initiating origin and generating life. Further expanding upon Tortoise, Deer, Grasshopper Cicada, Bombyx Batryticatus (Baijiangcan, 白僵蚕), Cibotii Rhizoma (Gouji, 狗脊), and Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma (Bixie, 萆薢), their applications are inexhaustible.
Only through bundling does it remain loose and unrestrained. Only by not being loose and unrestrained can it achieve affinity with the red heart. The Commentary on Erya states: There is Hu Zao (Pot Date). Hu is like a gourd. Large at the base and sharp at the top is this type. With a thin waist is Lulu Zao (Pulley Date). Small, round, purple-black fruits are Yang Zao (Sheep Date). Pan Yue's fu says: "Dates cluster beneath, red fruits hang plentifully."
Records of Unusual Flavors states: Dates are hundred-beneficial and one-damaging foods.
Internal Biography of Emperor Wu of Han states: Laozi traveled west to visit Queen Mother of the West, eating dates from the Wang gate, which were bottle-shaped.
Wings of Erya states: Dates are woody plants; date bundles overlap, dates connect. It also says: Large and sharp-topped is Hu; thin-waisted is Bian; white-ripe is ; small tree and sour fruit is Ni; small, round, purple-black is Zun; chicken-egg sized is Xi; bitter is Jue Xie; seedless is ; short and bitter taste is Huan Wei; there are eleven names for dates, Guo obtained nine. Later generations have Purple Dates, Black Dates, Queen Mother of the West Dates, East Sea Steamed Dates, Luoyang Summer Internal, and ancient times peeling dates in the eighth month. Da Dai Li states: Peeling means taking; its preparation is called renewing it, processing it, to serve as offerings in bamboo baskets.)