五味子，味酸，气温，降也。阴中微阳，非阳中微阴也，无毒。此药有南北之分，必以
北者
为佳，南者不可用。古人为南北各有所长，误也。最能添益肾水，滋补肺金，尤善润燥，非
特收敛肺气。（〔批〕五味子收敛肺气，正所以生肾水也。）盖五味子入肺、肾二经，生津止
渴，强阴益阳，生气除热，止泻痢有神。但不宜多用，多用反无功，少用最有效。尤不宜独
用，独用不特无功，且有大害。必须同补药用入汤丸之内，则调和无碍，相得益彰耳。
或问五味子乃收敛之药，用之生脉散中，可以防暑，岂北五味亦能消暑耶？（〔批〕生
脉散，
非却暑之药，乃防暑之药也，论得是。）曰∶五味子，非消暑药也。凡人当夏热之时，真气
必散，故易中暑。生脉，用人参以益气，气足则暑不能犯；用麦冬以清肺，肺清则暑不能侵
；又佐之北五味。以收敛其耗散之金，则肺气更旺，何惧外暑之热。是五味子助人参、麦冬
以生肺气，而非辅人参、麦冬以消暑邪也。
或问五味子补肾之药，人皆用之于补肺，而吾子又言宜少用，而不宜多用，不愈示人以
补肺
，而不补肾乎？曰∶北五味子补肾，正不必多也，其味酸而气温，味酸则过于收敛，气温则
易动龙雷，不若少用之，反易生津液，而无强阳之失也。
或问五味子，古人有独用以闭精，而吾子谓不宜独用，不独无功，且有大害，未知所谓
大害
者，何害也？夫五味子性善收敛，独用之者，利其闭精而不泄耳。精宜安静，不宜浮动。服
五味子而能绝欲者，世无其人，保其遇色而不心动乎。心动，则精必离宫，无五味子之酸收
，则精将随小便而暗泄。惟其不能不心动也，且有恃五味子之闭涩，搏久战以贪欢，精不泄
而内败，变为痈疽发背而死者，多矣。所谓大害者如此，而可独用一味，经年累月知服，以
图闭涩哉。
或为五味子滋不足之肾水，宜多用为佳，乃古人往往少用，岂能生汪洋之肾水耶？曰∶
天一
生水，原有化生之妙，不在药味之多也。孙真人生脉散，虽名为益肺，其实全在生肾水。盖
补肾以生肾水，难为力，补肺以生肾水，易为功。五味子助人参，以收耗散之肺金，则金气
坚
凝，水源渊彻，自然肺足而肾亦足也。又何必多用五味子始能生水哉，况五味子多用，反不
能生水，何也？味酸故也。酸能生津，而过酸则收敛多，而生发之气少，转夺人参之权，不
能生气于无何有之乡，即不能生精于无何有之宫矣。此古人所以少用，胜于多用也。（〔批
〕五味子少用则止精，持论纯正。）
或问北五味补肾益肺，然有时补肾而不利于肺，或补肺而不利于肾，何也？曰∶肾乃肺
之子
，肺乃肾之母，补肺宜益于肾，补肾宜益于肺。何以有时而不利耶？此邪火之作祟。补肾，
则水升以入肺，而肺且恃子之水，与邪相斗，而肺愈不安矣。益肺，则金刚以克肝，而肝且
恃母之水，与邪相争，而肾亦不安矣。然则五味子之补肾益肺，宜于无邪之时，而补之益
之也。（〔批〕五味子补无邪之肺肾，论更出奇。）
或疑精不足者，补之以味，未必非五味子之味也。嗟乎！何子言之妙也，实泄天地之奇。
精
不足者宜补，五味之补也。世人见五味子不可多用，并疑五味子不能生水。谁知此物补水，
妙在不必多也。古云∶精不足者，补之以味，人参、羊肉是也。谁知人参、五味子之更胜哉
？（〔批〕又补《内经》之不足，妙甚。）
或问五味子生精敛气之外，更有何病可以兼治之乎？五味子敛耗散之肺金，滋涸竭之肾
水，
二治之外，原无多治法也，然子既求功于二者之外，我尚有一法以广其功。五味子炒焦，研
末，敷疮疡溃烂，皮肉欲脱者，可保安如故，不至全脱也。（〔批〕妙法。）
五味子，味道酸，药性温，具有沉降的作用。它属于阴中略带阳气的药物，而不是阳中略带阴气，没有毒性。这种药有南北产地之分，必须以北方产的为佳，南方产的不宜使用。古人认为南北各有所长，这是错误的看法。五味子最能补充肾水，滋补肺金，尤其擅长润燥，不仅仅是收敛肺气。（批注：五味子收敛肺气，正是为了滋生肾水。）因为五味子入肺、肾两经，能生津止渴，强壮阴精并有益阳气，产生生气并清除虚热，治疗腹泻和痢疾效果显著。但是不宜大量使用，用量过多反而无效，少量使用才最有效。尤其不宜单独使用，单独使用不仅无效，而且会有大害。必须配合补益药一起煎煮成汤剂或制成丸药，这样就能调和无碍，互相促进，相得益彰。
有人问：五味子是收敛的药物，用在生脉散中可以防暑，难道北五味子也能消暑吗？（批注：生脉散不是祛暑的药，而是防暑的药，这个观点是对的。）回答说：五味子并不是消暑药。大凡人在夏季炎热的时候，真气必然耗散，所以容易中暑。生脉散用人参来益气，气充足则暑邪不能侵犯；用麦冬来清肺，肺清爽则暑邪不能侵袭；又佐以北方产的五味子，用来收敛耗散的肺金之气，那么肺气更加旺盛，还怕什么外来的暑热呢。这就是五味子帮助人参、麦冬来生成肺气，而不是辅助人参、麦冬来消除暑邪。
有人问：五味子是补肾的药，人们都把它用于补肺，而您又说应该少用，不宜多用，这不是更向人展示它是补肺而不补肾的吗？回答说：北五味子补肾，正不必多用，它的味道酸且药性温，味酸则过于收敛，药性温则容易扰动龙雷之火，不如少量使用，反而容易生津液，而没有助长阳气的过失。
有人问：五味子，古人有单独使用来固涩精气的方法，而您说不宜单独使用，不仅无效，而且有大害，不知道所谓的大害是什么害处呢？五味子性质善于收敛，单独使用的人，是贪图它闭藏精气而不泄漏罢了。精气适宜安静，不适宜浮动。服用五味子又能断绝性欲的人，世上是没有的，能保证遇到美色而不心动吗？一旦心动，精气必然离位，如果没有五味子的酸收作用，精气就会随着小便暗中泄漏。正因为不能做到不心动，并且倚仗五味子的闭涩作用，纵欲久战以贪求欢愉，精气不泄而在体内败坏，变成痈疽发背而死的人，很多了。所谓的大害就是这样，怎么能单独一味药，长年累月地服用，以求达到闭涩固精的目的呢？
有人怀疑：五味子滋补水不足的肾水，应该多用为好，但古人往往少用，难道能生出汪洋般的肾水吗？回答说：天一之水生成肾水，原本就有化生的奥妙，不在于药味的多少。孙思邈创制的生脉散，虽然名为益肺，其实全在于生肾水。因为补肾来生肾水，难以奏效，补肺来生肾水，容易成功。五味子帮助人参，收敛耗散的肺金，那么金气坚实凝聚，水源深远清澈，自然肺气充足而肾气也充足了。又何必多用五味子才能生水呢？况且五味子多用，反而不能生水，为什么呢？因为味酸啊。酸能生津，但过酸则收敛太多，而生发之气太少，转而夺取了人参的主导权，不能在虚无之处产生生气，也就不能在虚无之宫产生精气了。这就是古人少用胜过多用的原因。（批注：五味子少用则能止精，持论纯正。）
有人问：北五味子补肾益肺，但有时补肾却对肺不利，或者补肺却对肾不利，为什么呢？回答说：肾是肺之子，肺是肾之母，补肺应该有益于肾，补肾应该有益于肺。为什么有时会有不利影响呢？这是因为邪火在作祟。如果补肾，则肾水上升进入肺，而肺且倚仗子脏的水，与邪气相斗，导致肺更加不安稳。如果益肺，则肺金坚硬以克制肝木，而肝且倚仗母脏的水，与邪气相争，导致肾也不安稳。既然如此，那么五味子补肾益肺，适宜在没有邪气的时候进行补益。（批注：五味子补益无邪的肺肾，论述更加奇特。）
有人怀疑：精气不足的人，用厚味的药物来补，未必不是五味子的味道吧。唉！您的话说得多么精妙啊，确实泄露了天地的奇妙。精气不足应当补益，这是五味子的补益作用。世人见五味子不可多用，便怀疑五味子不能生水。谁知道此物补水，妙处就在于不必多用。古语说：精气不足，用厚味的药物来补，人参、羊肉就是例子。谁知道人参、五味子比它们更胜一筹呢？（批注：又弥补了《内经》的不足之处，非常巧妙。）
有人问：除了生精敛气之外，五味子还能兼治什么疾病呢？五味子收敛耗散的肺金，滋润枯竭的肾水，除了这两种功效之外，原本没有太多的治疗方法了，既然您要求在二者之外寻求功效，我还有一种方法可以扩大其功用。将五味子炒焦，研成粉末，敷在疮疡溃烂、皮肉快要脱落的地方，可以保证安全如故，不至于完全脱落。（批注：妙法。）
Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus), with a sour taste and warm temperature, has a descending nature. It belongs to yin containing slight yang, rather than yang containing slight yin, and is non-toxic. This herb has distinctions between northern and southern origins; those from the north are superior, while those from the south should not be used. The ancient belief that both regions have their respective strengths is erroneous. Wuweizi is most capable of replenishing Kidney Water (Jing-Yin fluid of the Kidney) and nourishing Lung Metal (Qi and Yin of the Lung), especially skilled in moistening dryness, not merely for astringing Lung Qi. (Commentary: Wuweizi astringes Lung Qi, which precisely serves to generate Kidney Water.) Because Wuweizi enters the Lung and Kidney meridians, it generates fluids and relieves thirst, strengthens Yin and benefits Yang, generates vital Qi and removes heat, and is miraculous in treating diarrhea and dysentery. However, it should not be used in large doses; excessive use renders it ineffective, while minimal use is most effective. It is particularly unsuitable for single-herb use; using it alone not only yields no effect but also causes great harm. It must be combined with tonifying herbs in decoctions or pills, thereby harmonizing without obstruction and mutually enhancing each other's efficacy.
One might ask: Wuweizi is an astringent herb; when used in Shengmai San (Pulse-Generating Powder), it prevents heatstroke. Can Northern Wuweizi also dispel summerheat? (Commentary: Shengmai San is not a summerheat-dispelling formula, but a formula for preventing heatstroke; this argument is correct.) The answer is: Wuweizi is not a summerheat-dispelling herb. Generally, during the hot summer, the True Qi (Zhen Qi) inevitably scatters, making one prone to heatstroke. Shengmai San uses Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) to benefit Qi; when Qi is sufficient, summerheat cannot invade. It uses Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) to clear the Lungs; when the Lungs are clear, summerheat cannot侵 (invade). Furthermore, it assists with Northern Wuweizi to astringe the scattered Lung Metal, making Lung Qi even more robust, leaving no fear of external summerheat. Thus, Wuweizi helps Renshen and Maidong to generate Lung Qi, rather than assisting them to dispel summerheat pathogens.
One might ask: Wuweizi is a Kidney-tonifying herb, yet people all use it for tonifying the Lungs, and you say it should be used sparingly and not excessively. Does this not further indicate to people that it tonifies the Lungs but not the Kidneys? The answer is: For Northern Wuweizi to tonify the Kidneys, there is no need for excessive use. Its taste is sour and its temperature is warm. Sourness leads to excessive astringency, and warmth easily stirs the "Dragon and Thunder Fire" (pathogenic fire arising from Yin deficiency). It is better to use it in small amounts, which facilitates the generation of body fluids without the fault of forcibly boosting Yang.
One might ask: Ancient texts mention using Wuweizi alone to close and retain essence (Jing), yet you state it is unsuitable for single use, claiming it is not only ineffective but also harmful. What is this alleged great harm? Wuweizi's nature is good at astringency. Those who use it alone seek its ability to close essence and prevent leakage. Essence should be quiet and stable, not floating. There are no people in the world who can take Wuweizi and completely abstain from sexual desire. Can one guarantee remaining unmoved by beauty? If the mind moves (arousal occurs), essence will leave its palace. Without the sour astringency of Wuweizi, essence will secretly leak through urination. Precisely because one cannot avoid mental arousal, and relying on Wuweizi's astringency to engage in prolonged sexual activity for pleasure, essence does not exit but rots internally, turning into carbuncles and back-sores leading to death. Such cases are numerous. This is the so-called great harm. How can one take a single herb for years, seeking closure and retention?
One might doubt: Since Wuweizi nourishes insufficient Kidney Water, it should be used in large doses. Yet ancients often used it sparingly. How can it generate vast amounts of Kidney Water? The answer is: Tianyi (Heaven One) generates water, possessing the wonder of transformation; this lies not in the quantity of herbs. Sun Simiao’s Shengmai San, though named for benefiting the Lungs, actually focuses entirely on generating Kidney Water. Tonifying the Kidneys to generate Kidney Water is difficult; tonifying the Lungs to generate Kidney Water is easier. Wuweizi assists Renshen in gathering scattered Lung Metal, making Metal Qi firm and condensed, causing the water source to become deep and clear. Naturally, Lung sufficiency leads to Kidney sufficiency. Why must one use large doses of Wuweizi to generate water? Moreover, excessive use of Wuweizi fails to generate water. Why? Because of its sour taste. Sourness generates fluids, but excessive sourness results in too much astringency and too little ascending/generating Qi. It usurps the authority of Renshen, failing to generate Qi from the void, and thus failing to generate essence from the palace of essence. This is why ancients found small doses superior to large ones. (Commentary: Small doses of Wuweizi stop essence loss; the argument is pure and correct.)
One might ask: Northern Wuweizi tonifies the Kidneys and benefits the Lungs, yet sometimes tonifying the Kidneys harms the Lungs, or benefiting the Lungs harms the Kidneys. Why? The answer is: The Kidney is the Child of the Lung, and the Lung is the Mother of the Kidney. Tonifying the Lung should benefit the Kidney, and tonifying the Kidney should benefit the Lung. Why is there sometimes disadvantage? This is due to the mischief of pathogenic fire. If tonifying the Kidneys, Kidney Water rises to enter the Lungs, and the Lungs, relying on the Child's water, fight the pathogen, making the Lungs more unstable. If benefiting the Lungs, Lung Metal becomes hard to overcome Liver Wood, and the Liver, relying on the Mother's water, fights the pathogen, making the Kidneys unstable. Therefore, Wuweizi's tonification of the Kidneys and benefitting of the Lungs is suitable only when there is no pathogen. (Commentary: Tonifying the Lung and Kidney free of pathogens presents an even more unique argument.)
One might suspect: For those with insufficient essence, tonifying with flavor—could this not refer to the flavor of Wuweizi? Alas! How profound your words are, truly revealing the wonders of Heaven and Earth. Insufficient essence should be tonified; this is the tonifying action of Wuweizi. People see that Wuweizi should not be used in large doses and suspect it cannot generate water. Who knows that this herb's brilliance in supplementing water lies precisely in not needing large doses? The ancients said: "When essence is insufficient, tonify with flavor," citing Renshen (Ginseng) and mutton as examples. Who knew that Renshen and Wuweizi surpass them? (Commentary: This supplements the deficiencies of the *Neijing*; very ingenious.)
One might ask: Besides generating essence and astringing Qi, what other diseases can Wuweizi treat? Wuweizi astringes scattered Lung Metal and nourishes depleted Kidney Water. Beyond these two functions, there are originally few other therapeutic methods. Since you seek merits beyond these two, I still have one method to expand its utility. Fry Wuweizi until charred, grind into powder, and apply topically to ulcerated sores where skin and flesh are about to detach. This can ensure safety as before, preventing total detachment. (Commentary: A brilliant method.)