（本经上品）
【气味】苦平，无毒。
【主治】主补中，安五脏，养精神，除百病。久服，肥健轻身不老。
【核】曰∶出武陵山谷，诸处时有。木肌白腻，叶浓而柔，长者约四五寸，碧绿色，面
深背淡，花极繁冗，结子累累满树而色褐，即蜡树也。立夏前后，取蜡虫种子，裹置枝上，
半月后，其虫化出，延缘枝上，造成白蜡，民间大获其利。亦名冬青，负霜葱翠，振柯凌风
故也。虽与冬青同名，共种实异。冬青即冻冬，叶微圆，子红色，虫不造蜡为别也。世俗尽
用冬青实，女贞实不复识，二物功用迥别。采择者不可不辨。
先人云∶凌冬负霜，子繁肌腻，虫食化蜡，坚白脂润，何精如之，故主补中肥健不老。
又云∶凌冬之资，不老之药。形生本缺金水之精者，需此贞实，坚固其形，然饵服者，亦须
如女之贞，久而不变，乃获其益。
【 】曰∶不曰士贞，而曰女贞，谓主居中之藏阴故也。则凡藏室萎顿，以及精神魂魄
意志，离败而为百病者，靡不相宜；故久服则散精于肝，而淫气于百骸，肥健轻身不老，其
外征也。
（女贞之主居中藏阴，宛若贞女之司中馈也，故清士敛其质，贞女慕其名，淫散字义。
合石斛石脂，参看始得。）
（本经上品）
【气味】辛温，无毒。
【主治】主五脏身体寒热，风头脑痛，面 。久服下气，轻身，明目，增年耐老。
【核】曰∶所在有之。树高三四丈，枝条繁茂。正二月开花，花出枝头，有紫白二色。
花落乃生叶，叶间随含花茁，经夏历冬，其茁渐大，长半寸而尖锐，茁外有苞，重重有青黄
茸毛顺铺，长半分许，如有毛小桃，开时脱苞，花似莲花，大如小盏，作莲兰花香。白花
者呼为玉兰，更有千瓣者。以紫花之萼为贵。年浅者有花无子，经三四十年者，方结实也。
修事∶拭净萼上赤毛，用芭蕉水浸一宿，更以浆水煮之，从巳至未，取出焙干。若治眼目中
患，即一时去皮，用向里实者。芎 为之使。恶五色石脂。畏菖蒲、蒲黄、黄连、石膏、黄
环。
先人云∶植树四十年方实，孕萼历三季始开，结子阅九月可采，酝藉濡迟，不似辛散之
物，大有和平之象。又云∶辛夷合宜用实，第人心不能待其成耳。苞萼虽可用，恐力不及实
之全体专精也。又云∶遍历四时之气，故形藏咸宜。举寒与热，四气在其中矣。有春气在头
象，风木主色象，顾增耐两字则得之矣。
【 】曰∶草木花叶，俱有外苞，萼拆解孚，各有同异。唯辛夷萼茁，显著特甚。盖遍
四气，故曰辛。辛，新也。五行均等，故曰夷。夷，平也。是以藏形咸辅，而辛平木用，故
主风头脑痛、面 气上也。久服轻身明目，增年耐老者，奠安形藏，澄彻窍穴之功耳。
（生人有胞，凡胎生俱有胞，湿生化生，或胞，或壳，或合感，或离应。卵生唯壳，主
于草木果实有莩。人或习闻，若草木孕萼作叶，亦具外苞，从来未曾话破。孟夫子所谓明足
以察秋毫，不足以见舆薪者，皆如此类。
【本草经上品】
【气味】味苦，性平，无毒。
【主治】主要补益中气，安定五脏，滋养精神，祛除各种疾病。长期服用，可使身体丰满健壮、身轻体健、延缓衰老。
【考证】曰：女贞子产于武陵山谷，各地偶尔也有生长。其木质洁白细腻，叶片浓密柔软，长约四五寸，呈碧绿色，叶面深绿而叶背色淡，花朵极其繁茂，结出的果实累累挂满枝头且颜色褐黑，这就是蜡树。立夏前后，采集蜡虫的种子，包裹后放置在树枝上，半个月后，虫子孵化出来，沿着树枝蔓延，分泌出白蜡，民间因此获得巨大利益。女贞也名为冬青，因为能背负霜雪依然葱翠，摇动枝干凌驾于风中，所以得名。虽然与冬青同名，但属于同种不同实（果实）。冬青即冻冬，叶子微圆，果实红色，且没有昆虫造蜡，以此作为区别。世俗之人全都使用冬青的果实，不再认识女贞子，这两者的功效截然不同。采摘选择的人不可不加以辨别。
前人曾说：女贞凌冬负霜，果实繁多且肉质细腻，被虫食用后化为蜡，质地坚硬、白色、脂润，还有什么比这更精纯的呢？所以能补益中气、使身体丰满健壮、延缓衰老。
又说：女贞具有凌冬的特性，是不老之药。形体生成本缺金水之精气者，需要这种贞实之物，来坚固其形体。然而服用者，也必须像女子守贞一样，长久不变心，才能获得益处。
【按语】曰：不称为“士贞”，而称为“女贞”，是因为它主要居于中间的脏腑，藏阴的缘故。那么凡是脏腑功能萎顿，以及精神魂魄意志离散败坏而导致百病丛生的人，无不适宜；所以长期服用，能使精气散归于肝，并浸润滋养全身骨骼肢体，使身体丰满健壮、身轻体健、延缓衰老，这是外在的表现。
（女贞的主要作用在于居中藏阴，就像贞洁的女子主持家务一样，所以清高的士人收敛其本质，贞洁的女子仰慕其名号，淫散的字义与此不合。结合石斛、石脂一起参看才能明白。）
【本草经上品】
【气味】味辛，性温，无毒。
【主治】主要治疗五脏及身体的寒热病症，风邪引起的头痛，面部浮肿。长期服用可降逆气，使身体轻健，明目，增加寿命，延缓衰老。
【考证】曰：各地都有生长。树高三四丈，枝条繁茂。正二月开花，花从枝头长出，有紫色和白色两种颜色。花落之后才生叶，叶间随即含有花蕾，经过夏天和冬天，花蕾逐渐长大，长半寸且尖锐，花蕾外面有苞片，层层叠叠铺着青黄色的茸毛，长约半分许，像有小毛的桃子，开花时脱去苞片，花形像莲花，大小如小酒杯，散发莲兰花的香气。白色的花被称为玉兰，还有千瓣的品种。以紫色花的萼片为珍贵。年份浅的只有花没有果实，经过三四十年，才结果实。
炮制方法：擦拭干净萼片上的赤色绒毛，用芭蕉水浸泡一夜，再用浆水煮，从巳时到未时，取出焙干。如果是治疗眼目中的疾患，就只剥去皮，使用里面的实质部分。川芎为其引经药。厌恶五色石脂。畏惧菖蒲、蒲黄、黄连、石膏、黄环。
前人曾说：种植四十年的树才结实，孕育萼片历经三个季节才开放，结籽经过九个月才可采摘，含蓄湿润迟缓，不像辛辣发散的药物，大有平和之象。又说：辛夷适宜使用果实，只是人心不能等待其成熟罢了。苞萼虽然可用，恐怕力量不及果实的全体专精。又说：遍历四时的气候，所以形体脏腑都适宜。举出寒与热，四气就在其中了。有春气在头的意象，风木主色的意象，加上“增耐”二字就得到了要领。
【按语】曰：草木的花叶，都有外苞，萼片拆解孚合，各有同异。唯有辛夷的萼芽，显著特别突出。大概遍含四气，所以叫“辛”。辛，就是新的意思。五行均衡，所以叫“夷”。夷，就是平的意思。因此辅助形体脏腑，且辛平木用，所以主治风邪引起的头痛、面部浮肿和气机上逆。长期服用轻身明目，增加寿命延缓衰老的，是安定形体脏腑，澄清通透孔窍的功效。
（人有胞衣，凡是胎生的都有胞衣，湿生化生，或者是有胞，或者有壳，或者感应相合，或者分离相应。卵生只有壳，主要在于草木果实有外壳。人们或许习以为常，如果草木孕育萼片作为叶子，也具有外苞，从来没有人说破这一点。孟子所说的“视力足以看清秋天鸟兽细毛的末端，却看不见一车柴草”，都是这一类情况。）
(Ben Jing Shang Pin)
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily tonifies the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), calms the Five Zang Organs, nourishes the Spirit (Shen), and eliminates various diseases. Long-term use leads to a robust physique, lightness of body, and delayed aging.
[Verification] It is stated: Grows in the valleys of Wuling, occasionally found elsewhere. The wood is white and fine-grained; leaves are dense and soft, about four to five cun long, jade-green, with a deeper green on the upper surface and lighter on the reverse. Flowers are extremely abundant; fruits hang heavily on the tree, brownish-black in color. This is also known as the Wax Tree. Around the Start of Summer, wax insect larvae are collected, wrapped, and placed on branches. After half a month, the insects hatch, crawl along the branches, and produce white wax, bringing great profit to the common people. It is also named Dongqing (Winter Green) because it remains verdant under frost and stands firm against the wind. Although sharing the name with Winter Green (Ilex cornuta), they differ in fruit. Dongqing, also called Frozen Winter, has slightly round leaves and red fruits, and lacks insect-produced wax, which distinguishes it. Secular usage often confuses the two, employing Winter Green fruit instead of Ligustrum lucidum fruit (Nüzhenzi); their therapeutic effects are vastly different. Collectors must distinguish them carefully.
Ancestors said: Enduring winter and frost, bearing abundant fruits with fine flesh, and being consumed by insects to transform into wax—hard, white, and lipid-rich—what could be more refined? Hence, it tonifies the Middle, promotes robustness, and delays aging.
It is also said: Its ability to withstand winter makes it an elixir of longevity. For those whose physical form lacks the essence of Metal and Water, this "chaste and solid" substance helps consolidate the form. However, those who ingest it must maintain chastity and constancy like a virtuous woman over time to reap its benefits.
[Commentary] It is not called "Shizhen" (Scholar's Chastity) but "Nüzhen" (Woman's Chastity) because it primarily resides in the central Yin organs. Thus, it is suitable for cases of organ atrophy or dysfunction, and for conditions where Spirit, Essence, Soul, Will, and Intent are scattered or damaged, leading to myriad diseases. Long-term use scatters essence to the Liver and moistens the entire skeletal system, resulting in a robust physique, lightness, and delayed aging, which are external manifestations.
(The primary function of Nüzhenzi is to reside centrally and store Yin, akin to a chaste woman managing the household. Therefore, pure scholars refine their substance, and chaste women admire its name; meanings related to licentiousness or scattering do not apply. Refer to Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis) and Shizhi (Calamina) for further understanding.)
(Ben Jing Shang Pin)
[Flavor and Nature] Pungent, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats cold-heat disorders of the Five Zang Organs and body, headache caused by Wind, and facial edema. Long-term use directs Qi downward, lightens the body, brightens the eyes, increases lifespan, and delays aging.
[Verification] It is stated: Found everywhere. Trees reach three to four zhang high with lush branches. Flowers bloom in the first and second lunar months, emerging from branch tips, appearing in purple or white. Leaves emerge after flowers fall. Between leaves, flower buds appear, growing through summer and winter until they become half a cun long and sharp. The buds are covered by bracts layered with yellowish-green down, about half a cun long, resembling hairy small peaches. Upon blooming, bracts shed, revealing lotus-like flowers the size of small cups, emitting a fragrance similar to lotus and orchid. White-flowered varieties are called Yulan (Magnolia denudata), including double-petaled forms. Purple-bracted varieties are considered superior. Young trees bear flowers but no fruit; only after thirty to forty years do they bear fruit.
Processing: Wipe clean the red hairs on the bracts. Soak overnight in Musa basjoo (Banana stem) water. Then boil in grain wash water from Si hour (9-11 AM) to Wei hour (1-3 PM). Remove and dry by baking. For treating eye disorders, peel off the skin and use only the inner substance. Xiongqiong (Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix) acts as the guiding herb. It is incompatible with Wu Se Shi Zhi (Five-colored Calamine). It fears Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Puhuang (Typhae Pollen), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), and Huanghuan.
Ancestors said: Planted for forty years before fruiting, nurturing bracts through three seasons before blooming, and maturing seeds over nine months for harvest, it possesses a contained, moist, and slow nature, unlike pungent-dispersing herbs, exhibiting a strong image of harmony. It is also said: While the fruit is ideal for Xin Yi (Magnoliae Flos), human impatience prevents waiting for maturity. Bracts are usable but likely lack the concentrated potency of the whole fruit. Furthermore, it traverses the Qi of all four seasons, making it suitable for all form-organs. Mentioning cold and heat encompasses the Four Qi. It reflects the imagery of Spring Qi in the head and Wood governing Wind. The phrase "increase endurance" captures its essence.
[Commentary] Flower leaves of herbs and trees generally have outer bracts, which split and unite differently. Only Xin Yi's bract-buds are exceptionally prominent. Because it contains all Four Qi, it is called "Xin" (Pungent). Xin means New. Because the Five Elements are balanced, it is called "Yi" (Level/Peaceful). Yi means Level. Thus, it assists all form-organs, and its Pungent-Nature balances Wood function, treating Wind-induced headaches and facial edema with upward-rushing Qi. Long-term use lightens the body, brightens eyes, and delays aging due to its power to stabilize form-organs and clarify orifices.
(Humans have amniotic sacs; all viviparous beings possess them. In wet generation, there may be sacs, shells, or combined/separated responses. Oviparous beings have only shells. This concept applies to the outer husks of plant fruits. People may be accustomed to hearing this, but few realize that plants nurturing bracts as leaves also possess outer coverings—a fact never previously articulated. As Mencius said, "One can see the tip of an autumn hair but not a cartload of firewood," such oversights are common.)