气味酸平，无毒。主治心腹寒热，邪结气聚，四肢 痛，湿痹。久服安五脏，轻身
延年。
（酸枣始出河东川泽，今近汴洛及西北州郡皆有之。一名山枣，《尔雅》名 ，孟子曰∶
养
其棘是也。其树枝有刺，实形似枣而圆小，其味酸，其色红紫。八月采实，只取核中之
仁。仁皮赤，仁肉黄白。）
（按∶酸枣肉味酸，其仁味甘而不酸。今既云酸枣仁，又云气味酸平，讹也，当改正。）
枣肉味酸，肝之果也。得东方木味，能达肝气上行，食之主能醒睡。枣仁形园色赤，禀
火土
之气化。火归中土，则神气内藏，食之主能寤寐。《本经》不言用仁，而今时多用之。心腹
寒热，邪结气聚者，言心腹不和，为寒为热，则邪结气聚。枣仁色赤象心，能导心气以下交
，肉黄象土，能助脾气以上达，故心腹之寒热邪结之气聚可治也。土气不达于四肢，则四肢
酸痛。火气不温于肌肉，则周身湿痹。枣仁禀火土之气化，故四肢酸痛，周身湿痹可治也。
久服安五脏，轻身延年。言不但心腹和平，且安五脏也。五脏既安，则气血日益，故又可轻
身延年。
气味甘平，无毒。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。（《本经》。）
（枣始出河东平泽，今近北州郡及江南皆有，唯青州、晋州所生者肥大甘美。五月开白
花，八九月果熟黄赤色，烘曝则黑，入药为良。其南方所产者，谓之南枣，北方所产不肥大
者，谓之小枣，烘曝不黑者，谓之红枣，只充果食，俱不入药。）
大枣气味甘平，脾之果也。开小白花，生青熟黄，熟极则赤，烘曝则黑，禀土气之专精，
具
五行之色性。《经》云∶脾为孤脏，中央土，以灌四旁。主治心腹邪气，安中者，谓大枣安
中，凡邪气上干于心，下干于腹，皆可治也。养脾气，平胃气，通九窍，助十二经者，谓大
枣养脾则胃气自平，从脾胃而行于上下，则通九窍。从脾胃而行于内外，则助十二经。补少
气、少津液、身中不足者，谓大枣补身中之不足，故补少气而助无形，补少津液而资有形。
大惊、四肢重、和百药者，谓大枣味甘多脂，调和百药，故大惊而心主之神气虚于内，四肢
重而心主之神气虚于外，皆可治也。四肢者，两手两足，皆机关之室，神气之所畅达者也。
久服则五脏调和，血气充足，故轻身延年。
【酸枣仁】
气味：味酸，性平，无毒。
主治：心腹部的寒热病证，邪气结聚形成的气块，四肢疼痛，以及湿痹。长期服用能安定五脏，使身体轻盈，延长寿命。
（按语：酸枣最初产于河东的川泽地带，如今在靠近汴洛及西北各州郡都有生长。它又名山枣，《尔雅》中称之为“棘”，孟子所说的“养其棘”指的就是它。它的树枝上有刺，果实形状像枣但更圆更小，味道酸，颜色呈红紫色。八月采集果实，只取核中的仁。仁的外皮为红色，仁肉为黄白色。）
（按语：酸枣的肉味道酸，而它的仁味道甘而不酸。现在既然称为“酸枣仁”，又说气味是“酸平”，这是错误的，应当改正。）
大枣肉味道酸，属于肝的果实。它获得了东方木的味道，能够引导肝气向上运行，食用它能使人清醒睡眠。枣仁形状圆润、颜色赤红，禀受了火和土的气化特性。火归于中土，则神气内藏，食用它能让人安睡。《神农本草经》没有记载使用枣仁，而现在人们多使用它。所谓“心腹寒热，邪结气聚”，是指心腹部不和，表现为寒或热的症状，从而导致邪气结聚、气机阻滞。枣仁颜色赤红象征心脏，能引导心气向下交通；肉质黄色象征脾土，能辅助脾气向上输布，因此可以治疗心腹部的寒热及邪气结聚的气块。如果土气不能通达于四肢，就会导致四肢酸痛。如果火气不能温煦肌肉，就会导致周身湿痹。枣仁禀受了火土的气化特性，所以四肢酸痛和周身湿痹都可以治疗。长期服用能安定五脏，使身体轻盈，延长寿命。这是说不仅心腹部平和，而且能安定五脏。五脏既已安定，气血就会日益充沛，所以又能使身体轻盈，延长寿命。
【大枣】
气味：味甘，性平，无毒。
主治：心腹部的邪气，安定中焦，滋养脾气，调和胃气，通利九窍，协助十二经脉，补充元气不足，补充津液不足，治疗身体内部的虚弱，惊悸，四肢沉重，并能调和各种药物。长期服用能使身体轻盈，延长寿命。（出自《神农本草经》）
（按语：枣最初产于河东的平原沼泽地带，如今在北方的州郡及江南地区都有种植，只有青州、晋州出产的枣肥大甘甜美味。五月开白花，八九月果实成熟呈黄赤色，烘干曝晒后变黑，入药效果最好。南方所产的枣，称为南枣；北方所产但不肥大的，称为小枣；烘干曝晒后不变黑的，称为红枣，只能作为果品食用，都不入药。）
大枣味甘性平，属于脾的果实。它开出小白花，生时青色，熟时黄色，熟透则变红，烘干曝晒后变黑，禀受了土气的精华，具备五行的色泽属性。《内经》说：“脾是孤脏，属中央土，用来灌溉四旁。”主治心腹邪气，安定中焦，是说大枣能安定中焦，凡是邪气上犯于心，下犯于腹的情况，都可以治疗。滋养脾气，调和胃气，通利九窍，协助十二经脉，是说大枣滋养脾脏，则胃气自然平和，脾胃之气上行下达，就能通利九窍；脾胃之气行于内外，就能协助十二经脉。补充元气不足、津液不足、身体内部虚弱，是说大枣能补益身体的不足，所以能补充元气而助长无形的功能，补充津液而资助有形的物质。惊悸、四肢沉重、调和百药，是说大枣味甘且多油脂，能调和各种药物，所以惊悸导致心主之神气在内虚弱，四肢沉重导致心主之神气在外虚弱，都可以治疗。四肢，即两手两足，都是关节活动的部位，也是神气畅达的地方。长期服用则五脏调和，血气充足，所以能使身体轻盈，延长寿命。
[Suanzaoren (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae)]
Odor and Flavor: Sour, neutral, non-toxic.
Indications: Cold-heat disorders of the heart and abdomen, qi accumulation due to pathogenic stagnation, pain in the four limbs, and damp-bi syndrome. Long-term consumption stabilizes the five zang organs, lightens the body, and prolongs life.
(Note: Suanzao originally grew in the rivers and marshes of Hedong. It is now found near Bianluo and in various prefectures in the northwest. Also known as Shanzao, it is referred to as "Ji" in *Erya*, and Mencius's mention of "nourishing its thorns" refers to this plant. Its branches have thorns; the fruit resembles a jujube but is rounder and smaller, with a sour taste and reddish-purple color. The fruits are harvested in the eighth lunar month, and only the kernels within the pits are used. The kernel skin is red, and the kernel flesh is yellowish-white.)
(Note: The flesh of the Suanzao is sour, while its kernel is sweet and not sour. Since it is now called "Suanzaoren" (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae) yet described as having a "sour and neutral" flavor, this is an error and should be corrected.)
The flesh of the jujube is sour and belongs to the liver. It acquires the flavor of Wood from the East, capable of directing Liver Qi to ascend. Consumption promotes wakefulness. The kernel of the jujube is round and red, inheriting the transformative properties of Fire and Earth. When Fire returns to Central Earth, the Shen (Spirit) is stored internally; consumption promotes sleep. *Shennong Bencao Jing* does not record the use of the kernel, but contemporary practice favors it. "Cold-heat disorders of the heart and abdomen, pathogenic qi accumulation" refers to disharmony in the chest and abdomen manifesting as cold or heat, leading to pathogenic stagnation and qi constraint. The red color of the kernel corresponds to the Heart, guiding Heart Qi downward to communicate; the yellow flesh corresponds to Earth, assisting Spleen Qi to ascend. Thus, it treats cold-heat and pathogenic qi accumulation in the chest and abdomen. If Earth Qi fails to reach the four limbs, soreness and pain occur. If Fire Qi fails to warm the muscles, generalized damp-bi occurs. As the kernel inherits Fire and Earth properties, it treats limb soreness and generalized damp-bi. Long-term consumption stabilizes the five zang organs, lightens the body, and prolongs life. This implies that beyond harmonizing the chest and abdomen, it stabilizes the five zang organs. Once the five zang organs are stable, Qi and Blood increase daily, thereby lightening the body and prolonging life.
[Dazao (Fructus Jujubae)]
Odor and Flavor: Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
Indications: Pathogenic factors in the heart and abdomen, stabilization of the Middle Jiao, nourishment of Spleen Qi, harmonization of Stomach Qi, unblocking of the nine orifices, assistance to the twelve channels, supplementation of deficient Qi, replenishment of scanty fluids, treatment of internal deficiency, severe fright, heaviness of the four limbs, and harmonization of hundred herbs. Long-term consumption lightens the body and prolongs life. (*Shennong Bencao Jing*)
(Note: Jujubes originally grew in the plains and marshes of Hedong. They are now cultivated in northern prefectures and Jiangnan. Those from Qingzhou and Jinzhou are particularly large, sweet, and delicious. White flowers bloom in the fifth lunar month; fruits ripen to yellow-red in the eighth and ninth months. Dried by baking and sunning, they turn black, which is superior for medicinal use. Southern varieties are called Nanzao; northern varieties that are not large are called Xiaozao; those that do not turn black after drying are called Hongzao, used only as food and not for medicine.)
Dazao is sweet and neutral, belonging to the Spleen. It bears small white flowers, turning green when raw, yellow when ripe, red when fully ripe, and black when dried. It inherits the essence of Earth Qi and embodies the colors of the Five Elements. The *Classic* states: "The Spleen is the solitary organ, belonging to Central Earth, irrigating the four directions." Treating pathogenic factors in the heart and abdomen and stabilizing the Middle Jiao means Dazao stabilizes the Middle Jiao; it treats any pathogenic factor affecting the Heart above or the Abdomen below. Nourishing Spleen Qi, harmonizing Stomach Qi, unblocking the nine orifices, and assisting the twelve channels means that by nourishing the Spleen, Stomach Qi becomes balanced; as Spleen and Stomach Qi circulate up and down, the nine orifices are unblocked; as it circulates inside and outside, the twelve channels are assisted. Supplementing deficient Qi, scanty fluids, and internal bodily deficiency means Dazao supplements bodily deficiencies, thus supplementing Qi to aid无形 (formless) functions and replenishing fluids to nourish 有形 (formed) substances. Severe fright, heaviness of the four limbs, and harmonizing hundred herbs mean that Dazao, being sweet and oily, harmonizes various herbs. Fright causing deficiency of the Heart's Shen internally, and heaviness of the limbs indicating deficiency of the Heart's Shen externally, are both treatable. The four limbs, hands and feet, are chambers of joints where Shen Qi flows freely. Long-term consumption harmonizes the five zang organs and enriches Blood and Qi, thus lightening the body and prolonging life.