本经别录，枸杞不分子皮苗叶。而就其文体会之，本经之五内邪气、热中消渴、周痹风
湿，别录之下胸胁气、客热头痛，是枸杞皮与苗叶之治。本经之久服坚筋骨耐寒暑，别录之
补内伤大劳、嘘吸、强阴、利大小肠，是枸杞子之治。此沈芊绿之言，分别颇当。按陶隐居
本经序，于地骨皮下列热中消渴字，千金治虚劳客热、虚劳苦渴，皆用地骨皮。地为阴，骨
为里，皮为表，气味甘淡而寒，故所治为肺肝肾三脏虚热之 。脏阴亏，则热中消渴、胸胁
气逆、头为之痛。周痹乃风寒湿客于分肉之间，今曰周痹风湿，必周痹由寒变热之候，灵枢
所谓神归之则热者也。千金而外，后人又以地骨皮退内潮外潮，治骨蒸、骨槽风、吐血、下
血、目赤、口糜、小儿耳疳、下疳等证，然系益阴以除热，有安内之功，无攘外之力。虽表
里兼治，而风寒之表热，非所能解也。枸杞子内外纯丹，饱含津液，子本入肾，此复似肾中
水火兼具之象。味浓而甘，故能阴阳并补，气液骤增而寒暑不畏。且肾气实则阴自强，筋骨
自坚，嘘吸之一出一入自适于平。液枯之体，大小肠必燥，得之则利。惟多用须防其滑；而
纯丹又能增火也。后世之方，如金髓煎、四神丸、枸杞酒，可谓竭枸杞之才矣。窃意本经之
主周痹风湿、耐寒暑，非皮与子同用之，不能有此效，俟明者政之。
《神农本草经》和《名医别录》中，枸杞没有区分皮、苗、叶。但通过推敲其文意，《本经》中提到的治疗五脏邪气、热中消渴、周痹风湿，是枸杞皮与苗叶的功效；《别录》中提到的治疗胸胁气逆、客热头痛，也是枸杞皮与苗叶的功效。而《本经》中提到的久服能坚固筋骨、耐寒暑，《别录》中提到的补益内伤大劳、喘息（嘘吸）、强阴、利大小肠，则是枸杞子的功效。这是沈芊绿的说法，区分得相当恰当。
考察陶弘景在《本经序》中的记载，在地骨皮下列出了“热中消渴”字样，《千金方》治疗虚劳客热、虚劳苦渴，都使用地骨皮。地为阴，骨为里，皮为表，地骨皮气味甘淡而寒，所以所治疗的病症属于肺、肝、肾三脏的虚热。脏阴亏损，就会出现热中消渴、胸胁气逆、头部疼痛的症状。周痹是风寒湿邪客居在分肉之间，文中说“周痹风湿”，必定是指周痹由寒转变为热的证候，即《灵枢》所说的“神归之则热”。除了《千金方》之外，后人又用地骨皮退除内潮外潮，治疗骨蒸、骨槽风、吐血、下血、目赤、口糜、小儿耳疳、下疳等证候，然而这些都属于益阴以除热，有安内之功，没有攘外的力量。虽然表里兼治，但对于风寒引起的表热，它并不能解除。
枸杞子内外纯红，饱含津液，子本来入肾，这里又呈现出肾中水火兼具的景象。味道浓郁而甘甜，所以能阴阳并补，气液骤然增加而不畏惧寒暑。而且肾气充实则阴自强健，筋骨自然坚固，呼吸的一出一入自然趋于平和。津液枯竭的身体，大小肠必然干燥，得到枸杞子滋润后就会通畅。只是用量过多须防止滑泄；而纯丹之色又能助长火气。后世的方剂，如金髓煎、四神丸、枸杞酒，可以说是用尽了枸杞的才能。我私下认为，《本经》主治周痹风湿、耐寒暑，如果不是皮与子同用，就不能达到这种效果，等待高明的人纠正。
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) and the *Mingyi Bielu* (Record of Famous Physicians) do not distinguish between the bark, shoots, and leaves of Gouqi (Lycium chinense). However, by analyzing the context, the treatments for "five internal organs' pathogenic qi" (wǔ nèi xié qì), "heat in the middle with thirst" (rè zhōng xiāo kě), and "generalized bi syndrome due to wind-dampness" (zhōu bì fēng shī) mentioned in the *Bencao Jing* refer to the efficacy of the bark and shoots/leaves. The treatments for "chest and hypochondriac qi stagnation" (xiōng xié qì) and "external heat headache" (kè rè tóu tòng) mentioned in the *Bielu* also refer to the bark and shoots/leaves. Conversely, the benefits of long-term consumption to "strengthen sinews and bones" (jiān jīn gǔ) and "resist cold and heat" (hán shǔ) from the *Bencao Jing*, and "tonify severe internal injury from overwork" (bǔ nèi shāng dà láo), "regulate breathing" (xū xī), "strengthen Yin" (qiáng yīn), and "promote bowel and bladder function" (lì dà xiǎo cháng) from the *Bielu* refer to the efficacy of the fruit (Gouqi Zi). This distinction made by Shen Qianlü is quite appropriate.
According to Tao Hongjing's preface to the *Bencao Jing*, the term "heat in the middle with thirst" appears under the entry for Digupi (Cortex Lycii). In the *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), Digupi is used to treat deficiency-heat from exogenous pathogens in consumptive disease and excessive thirst due to deficiency. Earth represents Yin, bone represents the interior, and bark represents the exterior. Digupi has a sweet, bland, and cold nature; therefore, it treats deficiency-heat affecting the Lung, Liver, and Kidney organs. When organ Yin is deficient, heat accumulates in the middle causing thirst, Qi rebels in the chest and hypochondrium, and headaches occur. Generalized bi syndrome involves wind-cold-dampness lodging between the muscle layers. The mention of "generalized bi due to wind-dampness" implies that the bi syndrome has transformed from cold into heat, as described in the *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot): "When Shen returns, heat arises." Beyond the *Qianjin Fang*, later practitioners used Digupi to reduce tidal fevers (internal and external), treat bone-steaming fever (gǔ zhēng), alveolar abscess (gǔ cáo fēng), hematemesis, hematochezia, red eyes, oral ulcers, pediatric aural carbuncle (ěr gān), and chancre (xià gān). These applications rely on nourishing Yin to clear heat, possessing the power to stabilize the interior but lacking the strength to expel exterior pathogens. Although it treats both interior and exterior aspects, it cannot resolve exterior heat caused by wind-cold.
Gouqi Zi is purely red inside and out, rich in fluids. Since seeds enter the Kidney, this presents an image of both Water and Fire coexisting within the Kidney. Its strong and sweet flavor allows it to tonify both Yin and Yang, rapidly increasing Qi and fluids so that one is unafraid of cold or heat. Furthermore, when Kidney Qi is substantial, Yin becomes strong naturally, sinews and bones become firm, and respiration (inhalation and exhalation) returns to balance. In bodies with fluid depletion, the Large and Small Intestines are inevitably dry; Gouqi Zi moistens them, promoting smooth passage. However, excessive use may cause loose stools, and its pure red color may potentially increase fire. Later formulas such as Jinmei Jian (Golden Marrow Decoction), Sishen Wan (Four Spirits Pill), and Gouqi Wine have fully utilized the potential of Gouqi. I suspect that the *Bencao Jing*'s indication for generalized bi due to wind-dampness and resistance to cold and heat requires the combined use of both bark and fruit to achieve such effects. I leave this for experts to correct.