（《本经》上品）
【释名】贞木（《山海经》）、冬青（《纲目》）
时珍曰∶此木凌冬青翠，有贞守之操，故以贞女状之。《琴操》载鲁有处女见女贞木而
作歌者，即此也。晋·苏彦女贞颂序云∶女贞之木，一名冬青。负霜葱翠，振柯凌风。故清
士钦其质，而贞女慕其名。是矣。别有冬青与此同名。今方书所用冬青，皆此女贞也。近时
以放蜡虫，故俗呼为蜡树。
【集解】《别录》曰∶女贞实生武陵川谷。立冬采。
弘景曰∶诸处时有。叶茂盛，凌冬不凋，皮青肉白，与秦皮为表里。其树以冬生可爱，
仙方亦服食之。俗方不复用，人无识者。
恭曰∶女贞叶似冬青树及枸骨。其实九月熟，黑似牛李子。陶言与秦皮为表里，误矣。
秦皮叶细冬枯，女贞叶大冬茂，殊非类也。
颂曰∶女贞处处有之。《山海经》云“泰山多贞木”是也。其叶似枸骨及冬青木，凌冬
不
凋。五月开细花，青白色。九月实成，似牛李子。或云即今冬青树也。而冬青木理肌白，纹
如象齿，实亦治病。岭南一种女贞，花极繁茂而深红色，与此殊异，不闻入药。
时珍曰∶女贞、冬青、枸骨，三树也。女贞即今俗呼蜡树者，冬青即今俗呼冻青树者，
枸骨即今俗呼猫儿刺者。东人因女贞茂盛，亦呼为冬青，与冬青同名异物，盖一类二种尔。
二种皆因子自生，最易长。其叶浓而柔长，绿色，面青背淡。女贞叶长者四、五寸，子黑色；
冻青叶微团，子红色，为异。其花皆繁，子并累累满树，冬月 鹆喜食之，木肌皆白腻。今
人不知女贞，但呼为蜡树。立夏前后取蜡虫之种子，裹置枝上。半月其虫化出，延缘枝上，
造成白蜡，民间大获其利。详见虫部白蜡下。枸骨详本条。
实
【气味】苦，平，无毒。时珍曰∶温。
【主治】补中，安五脏，养精神，除百病。久服，肥健轻身不老（《本经》）。强阴，健
腰膝，
【发明】时珍曰∶女贞实乃上品无毒妙药，而古方罕知用者，何哉？《典术》云∶女贞
木乃少阴之精，故冬不落叶。观此，则其益肾之功，尤可推矣。世传女贞丹方云∶女贞实（即
冬青树子）去梗叶，酒浸一日夜，布袋擦去皮，晒干为末。待旱莲草出多，取数石捣汁熬浓，
和丸梧桐子大。每夜酒送百丸。不旬日间，膂力加倍，老者即不夜起。又能变白发为黑色，
强腰膝，起阴气。
【附方】新二。
虚损百病∶久服发白再黑，返老还童。用女贞实（十月上巳日收，阴干，用时以酒浸一
日，蒸透晒干）一斤四两，旱莲草（五月收，阴干）十两（为末），桑椹子（三月收，阴干）
十两，
为末，炼蜜丸如梧桐子大。每服七、八十丸，淡盐汤下。若四月
莲捣汁和药，即不用蜜矣。（《简便方》）。
风热赤眼∶冬青子不以多少，捣汁熬膏，净瓶收固，埋地中七日。每用点眼。（《济
急仙方》）
叶
【气味】微苦，平，无毒。
【主治】除风散血，消肿定痛，治头目昏痛。诸恶疮肿， 疮溃烂久者，以水煮乘热贴
之，频频换易，米醋煮亦可。口舌生疮，舌肿胀出，捣汁含浸吐涎（时珍）。
【附方】新三。
风热赤眼∶《普济方》∶用冬青叶五斗捣汁，浸新砖数片，五日掘坑，架砖于内盖之，日
久生霜，刮
熬成
一切眼疾∶冬青叶研烂，入朴硝贴之。《海上方》也。（《普济
【《神农本草经》列为上品】
【名称解释】贞木（出自《山海经》）、冬青（出自《本草纲目》）
李时珍说：这种树木在寒冬时节依然青翠，具有坚贞守节的操守，所以用“贞女”来形容它。《琴操》记载鲁国有位处女看到女贞树而作歌，指的就是这种树。晋代苏彦的《女贞颂序》说：“女贞这种树，又名冬青。经受霜雪依然葱翠，树枝迎风挺立。所以清高的士人钦佩它的品质，贞洁的女子仰慕它的名字。”这是正确的。另外有一种冬青与女贞同名。现在医方书中使用的冬青，都是这种女贞。近代因为用它来养殖白蜡虫，所以俗称它为蜡树。
【集解（药物产地与形态考证）】《名医别录》说：女贞子生长在武陵的山谷中。立冬时节采集。
陶弘景说：各地时常都有。叶子茂盛，度过冬天也不凋谢，树皮青色，木质白色，与秦皮互为表里。这种树因为冬天生长可爱，仙家药方中也服用它。世俗医方不再使用，没有人认识它了。
苏恭说：女贞的叶子像冬青树和枸骨。它的果实九月成熟，黑色像牛李子。陶弘景说它与秦皮互为表里，是错误的。秦皮的叶子细小，冬天枯萎；女贞的叶子宽大，冬天茂盛，完全不是同类。
苏颂说：女贞到处都有。《山海经》说“泰山多贞木”就是指的这个。它的叶子像枸骨和冬青木，度过冬天不凋谢。五月开细小的花，青白色。九月果实长成，像牛李子。有人说它就是现在的冬青树。而冬青树的纹理肌理洁白，纹路像象牙，果实也能治病。岭南有一种女贞，花朵非常繁茂且呈深红色，与此不同，没听说入药。
李时珍说：女贞、冬青、枸骨，是三种树。女贞就是现在俗称蜡树的，冬青就是现在俗称冻青树的，枸骨就是现在俗称猫儿刺的。东方人因为女贞茂盛，也称之为冬青，与冬青同名但异物，大概是一类两种。这两种都因种子自然生长，最容易长大。它们的叶子浓密而柔长，绿色，正面青绿背面淡色。女贞的叶子长达四、五寸，果实黑色；冻青的叶子微圆，果实红色，这是区别。它们的花都很繁盛，果实累累挂满树，冬天的鹆鸟喜欢吃它们，树木的肌理都是白色细腻的。现在的人不知道女贞，只叫它蜡树。立夏前后取白蜡虫的种子，包裹放在树枝上。半个月后虫子化出，沿着树枝蔓延，造成白蜡，民间获得很大利益。详见虫部白蜡条下。枸骨详见本条。
【主治】补益中气，安定五脏，滋养精神，祛除百病。长期服用，使人身体肥壮健壮、身轻不老（出自《神农本草经》）。强健阴精，强壮腰膝。
【发明（药理发挥）】李时珍说：女贞子是上品无毒的妙药，但古方中很少知道使用它，为什么呢？《典术》说：“女贞木是少阴肾精所化，所以冬天不落叶。”看这一点，那么它补肾的功效，就可以推知了。世间流传的女贞丹方说：女贞实（即冬青树的种子）去掉梗和叶，用酒浸泡一天一夜，用布袋擦去果皮，晒干研为粉末。等到旱莲草长得多的时候，取几石捣汁熬成浓膏，混合做成梧桐子大小的药丸。每晚用酒送服一百丸。不到十天，体力加倍，老年人就不再夜起。又能使白发变黑，强壮腰膝，兴起阳气。
【附方】新增二方。
虚损百病：长期服用使黑发再黑，返老还童。用女贞实（十月上巳日采收，阴干，用时用酒浸泡一天，蒸透晒干）一斤四两，旱莲草（五月采收，阴干）十两（研为末），桑椹子（三月采收，阴干）十两，研为末，炼蜜制成梧桐子大小的药丸。每次服用七八十丸，淡盐汤送下。如果在四月，将旱莲草捣汁调和药物，就不用蜂蜜了。（出自《简便方》）。
风热赤眼：冬青子不限多少，捣汁熬成膏，装入干净的瓶子密封，埋在地中七天。每次取少许点眼。（出自《济急仙方》）
【叶】
【气味】微苦，平，无毒。
【主治】祛风散血，消肿定痛，治疗头目昏痛。各种恶疮肿毒，疮口溃烂时间久的，用水煮趁热贴敷，频繁更换，用米醋煮也可以。口舌生疮，舌头肿胀突出，捣汁含漱吐出涎液（李时珍）。
【附方】新增三方。
风热赤眼：《普济方》：用冬青叶五斗捣汁，浸泡新砖数片，五天挖坑，将砖架在坑内盖上，日久生出霜，刮下熬成……
一切眼疾：冬青叶研烂，加入朴硝贴敷。出自《海上方》。（出自《普济……
[Classified as Upper Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
[Names] Zhenmu (from *Shanhaijing*), Dongqing (from *Bencao Gangmu*)
Li Shizhen states: This tree remains green and lush throughout winter, possessing the steadfast character of loyalty and integrity; hence it is likened to a "chaste woman." The *Qincao* records that a maiden in Lu composed a song upon seeing the Nüzhen tree, referring to this species. In the preface to Su Yan's *Ode to Nüzhen* from the Jin Dynasty, it is stated: "The Nüzhen tree, also known as Dongqing, remains verdant under frost and stands tall against the wind. Thus, noble scholars admire its quality, and chaste women yearn for its name." This is correct. There is another plant named Dongqing that shares this name. However, the Dongqing used in current medical prescriptions refers to this Nüzhen. Recently, because it is used to cultivate scale insects for wax production, it is commonly called the Wax Tree.
[Collected Explanations] The *Bielu* states: Nüzhen fruits grow in the valleys of Wuling. They are harvested at Lidong (Start of Winter).
Tao Hongjing states: It is found in various places. The leaves are lush and do not wither in winter; the bark is green, and the wood is white, forming an exterior-interior relationship with Qinpi. This tree is cherished for its winter growth, and immortal alchemical formulas also utilize it for ingestion. However, secular physicians no longer use it, and few recognize it.
Su Gong states: Nüzhen leaves resemble those of the Dongqing tree and Gougu. Its fruits ripen in September, black like ox plums. Tao’s claim that it forms an exterior-interior relationship with Qinpi is erroneous. Qinpi has fine leaves that wither in winter, whereas Nüzhen has broad leaves that remain lush in winter; they are clearly not of the same category.
Su Song states: Nüzhen is ubiquitous. The *Shanhaijing* mentions "Mount Tai has many Zhen trees," referring to this. Its leaves resemble those of Gougu and Dongqing, remaining evergreen through winter. It blooms with small flowers in May, which are bluish-white. Fruits form in September, resembling ox plums. Some claim it is the modern Dongqing tree. However, the wood grain of Dongqing is white and textured like elephant teeth, and its fruit is also medicinal. In Lingnan, there is a variety of Nüzhen with extremely abundant deep-red flowers, which differs significantly and is not heard of being used medicinally.
Li Shizhen states: Nüzhen, Dongqing, and Gougu are three distinct trees. Nüzhen is what is currently commonly called the Wax Tree; Dongqing is what is commonly called the Frozen Green Tree; Gougu is what is commonly called the Cat-thorn Tree. People in the East, due to the lushness of Nüzhen, also call it Dongqing. Although sharing the name, they are different objects, essentially one genus with two species. Both species propagate easily from seeds. Their leaves are dense, soft, and long, green in color, darker on the upper surface and lighter on the underside. Nüzhen leaves are four to five cun long, with black fruits; Frozen Green leaves are slightly rounder, with red fruits, which is the distinction. Both have abundant flowers and fruits hanging heavily on branches. In winter, orioles (*Yù*) enjoy eating them, and the tree flesh is white and smooth. Modern people do not know Nüzhen, calling it only the Wax Tree. Around Lixia (Start of Summer), scale insect eggs are taken and wrapped onto branches. Half a month later, the insects emerge, spreading along the branches to produce white wax, bringing great profit to the common people. See the section on White Wax under Insects for details. Gougu is detailed in its own entry.
[Properties and Flavor] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. Li Shizhen adds: Warm.
[Therapeutic Actions] Tonifies the Middle Jiao, calms the Five Viscera, nourishes the Spirit, and eliminates hundred diseases. Long-term consumption leads to robust health, lightness of body, and anti-aging effects (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Strengthens Yin, strengthens the waist and knees.
[Invention/Analysis] Li Shizhen states: Nüzhen fruit is a superior-grade, non-toxic, miraculous medicine, yet ancient formulas rarely utilized it. Why? The *Dianshu* states: "Nüzhen wood is the essence of Shaoyin [Kidney], hence it does not shed leaves in winter." From this, its kidney-tonifying efficacy can be inferred. A popular formula for Nüzhen Pill circulating in the world states: Take Nüzhen fruits (i.e., Dongqing seeds), remove stems and leaves, soak in wine for one day and night, rub off the peel using a cloth bag, dry, and powder. When Hanzhan Grass (Eclipta Prostrata) is abundant, crush several shi of it to extract juice, boil down to a thick paste, mix with the powder, and form pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take 100 pills nightly with wine. Within ten days, physical strength doubles, and the elderly no longer need to rise at night. It can also turn white hair black, strengthen the waist and knees, and stimulate Yang Qi.
[Attached Formulas] Two new formulas.
Deficiency and Hundred Diseases: Long-term use turns gray hair black again, reversing aging. Use 1 jin 4 liang of Nüzhen fruits (harvested on the Shangsi day in the tenth lunar month, dried in shade, soaked in wine for one day before use, steamed thoroughly, then dried), 10 liang of Hanzhan Grass (harvested in May, dried in shade, powdered), and 10 liang of Mulberry fruits (harvested in March, dried in shade). Grind all into powder, refine honey, and form pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take 70–80 pills per dose, washed down with light salt water. If prepared in April, crush fresh Hanzhan Grass to extract juice and mix with the medicine, omitting honey. (From *Jianbian Fang*).
Wind-Heat Red Eyes: Take an unspecified amount of Dongqing seeds, crush to extract juice, boil into a paste, store in a clean sealed bottle, and bury in the ground for seven days. Apply a small amount to the eyes each time. (From *Jiji Xianfang*).
[Leaves]
[Properties and Flavor] Slightly bitter, neutral, non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Disperses Wind, invigorates Blood, reduces swelling, alleviates pain, and treats dizziness and headache caused by Wind-Heat. For various malignant sores and swellings, especially chronic ulcers, boil in water and apply hot compresses, changing frequently; boiling with rice vinegar is also effective. For mouth and tongue sores with swollen tongues protruding, crush to extract juice, hold in the mouth, and spit out saliva (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Formulas] Three new formulas.
Wind-Heat Red Eyes: *Puji Fang*: Use five dou of Dongqing leaves, crush to extract juice, soak several new bricks for five days. Dig a pit, place the bricks inside, and cover them. Over time, frost will form on the bricks; scrape it off and boil...
All Eye Diseases: Crush Dongqing leaves into a paste, add Glauber Salt (Puxiao), and apply externally. From *Haishang Fang*. (From *Puji...