酸枣丛生而气薄，气薄则发泄，味酸亦泄，啖之使阳不得入于阴，故醒睡。仁则甘平，
甘平由酸而来，性故微敛而微守。酸枣肝药，仁不能大戾乎枣，亦必入肝。皮赤则入心，内
黄则入脾。酸枣仁自当为心肝脾三经之药。心得之则神安，肝得之则魂藏，脾得之则思靖，
其治不得眠，尚有何疑。独是酸枣仁汤治虚劳虚烦不得眠，则更有进焉。按栀子豉汤证，亦
为虚烦不得眠，而彼为有伤寒余邪，此由于虚劳，故加虚劳字以别之。劳之为病，其脉浮大，
手足烦，阴寒，精自出，酸削不能行。此云虚烦不得眠，脉必浮而微数。盖阳上淫而不下则
烦，阴下亏而不上则不得眠，其责在肾。非酸枣仁收摄浮阳，不能使心肝脾咸循其职。故推
酸枣仁为君，而臣以知母滋肾之液，茯苓泄肾之邪，扰心之烦可不作矣。而心肾不交，犹未
足以成寐。后世医者，必将以远志配枣仁，为一降一升之法。不知远志乃阴中升阳之药，此
非阳不升而实阴不升，既以枣仁摄之，知母滋之，茯苓泄之，阴中之阴，自有能升之理。特
三物皆下行，而肾阴向上之机不能无滞，故又加芎 通阴阳以利之，甘草居中宫以和之，标
之曰酸枣仁汤者，以酸枣仁
今人用山茱萸，惟取其强阴益精，原非不是。但其木高丈余，二月开花，一交冬令，即
便结实，是全禀厥阴木气。而实酸温，足以温肝祛风宣窍，故又治鼻塞耳聋目黄面 。至主
心下邪气寒热与出汗之文，或疑其无是能矣。不知其色紫赤，兼入心包，且秉风木疏荡之姿，
汗为心液，焉得不溱溱以出汗。汗出则寒热之邪亦去。凡此又当于补益之外详究其义者。然
则肾气丸用之，盖不第强阴益精之谓已。
酸枣树丛生，其气轻薄；气轻薄则具有发散的特性，味道酸也主泄。食用酸枣会使阳气不能进入阴分，因此导致清醒而难以入睡。但酸枣仁味甘性平，甘平之性由酸味转化而来，所以其药性略微收敛且能固守。酸枣是入肝经的药物，酸枣仁既然源自酸枣，也不会违背这一规律，必然也入肝经。外皮色赤，故入心经；内部肉色黄，故入脾经。因此，酸枣仁自然是心、肝、脾三经的药物。心脏得到它则神志安宁，肝脏得到它则魂有所藏，脾脏得到它则思虑宁静，治疗失眠还有什么可怀疑的呢？
唯独酸枣仁汤用于治疗虚劳引起的虚烦不得眠，这又有更深层的含义。按栀子豉汤证，也是表现为虚烦不得眠，但那是由于伤寒病后残留的邪气所致，而此处是由于虚劳引起，所以加上“虚劳”二字以作区别。劳损这类疾病，脉象浮大，手足烦热，下部畏寒，精气自出，身体消瘦酸痛甚至无法行走。这里说虚烦不得眠，脉象必然是浮而微数。大概是因为阳气上浮过度而不能下行则产生烦躁，阴液下亏而不能上济则导致失眠，其病责在于肾。如果不是用酸枣仁来收摄浮越的阳气，就不能使心、肝、脾各司其职。因此推崇酸枣仁为君药，而以知母为臣药以滋补肾阴津液，茯苓为佐药以渗泄肾中邪气，这样扰乱心神的烦躁自然就不会产生了。然而，心肾不交，还不足以促成睡眠。后世医生，必定会用远志配伍酸枣仁，认为这是一降一升的方法。却不知道远志是阴中升阳的药物，这里并不是阳气不升，而是阴气不升。既然已经用酸枣仁来摄纳，知母来滋润，茯苓来渗泄，阴中之阴，自有能够上升的道理。只是这三味药都趋向下行，而肾阴向上的生机难免会有阻滞，所以又加入川芎来通达阴阳以利导，甘草居于中宫以调和诸药。标榜此方名为酸枣仁汤，是因为酸枣仁……（原文此处截断）
现在人们使用山茱萸，只是取其强健阴精的功效，原本并没有错。但是山茱萸树木高达丈余，二月开花，一到冬季就结果实，这是完全禀受了厥阴木气。果实味酸性温，足以温补肝脏、祛除风邪、宣通窍道，所以又能治疗鼻塞、耳聋、目黄、面色晦暗等症状。至于主治心下邪气、寒热往来以及出汗的记载，有人怀疑它没有这种功效。不知道它的颜色紫赤，兼入心包经，而且具备风木疏荡的姿态。汗为心之液，怎么会不溱溱然出汗呢？汗出之后，寒热之邪也就随之而去。凡此种种，应当在补益之外详细探究其义理。既然如此，那么肾气丸中使用它，大概不仅仅是为了强健阴精罢了。
Sour jujube trees grow in clusters, and their qi is thin. Thin qi implies dispersal; the sour taste also implies drainage. Consuming them prevents yang from entering yin, thus causing wakefulness. However, the seed (ren) is sweet and neutral. The sweet and neutral nature arises from the sourness, so its property is slightly astringent and retaining. Sour jujube is a herb for the Liver channel. Since the seed cannot drastically deviate from the fruit, it must also enter the Liver channel. The red skin enters the Heart channel; the yellow interior enters the Spleen channel. Therefore, Suanzaoren (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae) naturally serves as a medicine for the Heart, Liver, and Spleen channels. When the Heart receives it, the Shen (Spirit) is calmed; when the Liver receives it, the Hun (Ethereal Soul) is stored; when the Spleen receives it, thoughts become tranquil. Regarding its treatment of insomnia, what doubt could there be?
However, the Suanzaoren Tang (Sour Jujube Decoction) treats insomnia due to deficiency vexation arising from Xu Lao (Chronic Deficiency Exhaustion), which warrants further elaboration. According to the syndrome of Zhizi Chi Tang (Gardenia and Fermented Soybean Decoction), it also presents with deficiency vexation and insomnia, but that is caused by residual pathogenic factors from a Shanghan (Cold Damage) condition. This case, however, stems from Xu Lao, hence the term "Xu Lao" is added to distinguish it. In diseases of exhaustion, the pulse is floating and large, the hands and feet are烦热 (vexed and hot), the lower body feels cold, essence leaks spontaneously, and the body becomes emaciated and painful, unable to walk. Here, describing deficiency vexation and insomnia, the pulse must be floating and slightly rapid. Generally, if Yang floats excessively without descending, vexation occurs; if Yin declines downward without ascending, insomnia results. The responsibility lies with the Kidney. Without Suanzaoren to gather and secure floating Yang, the Heart, Liver, and Spleen cannot perform their respective functions. Thus, Suanzaoren is promoted as the Jun (Monarch) herb, while Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) acts as the Chen (Minister) to nourish Kidney fluids, and Fuling (Poria) acts as the Zuo (Assistant) to drain Kidney pathogens. The vexation disturbing the Heart will then cease. Nevertheless, the non-interaction between Heart and Kidney is still insufficient to induce sleep. Later physicians invariably pair Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix) with Zaoren, considering it a method of one descending and one ascending. They fail to realize that Yuanzhi is a herb that raises Yang within Yin. Here, it is not that Yang fails to ascend, but that Yin fails to ascend. Having already used Zaoren to secure it, Zhimu to nourish it, and Fuling to drain it, the Yin within Yin naturally possesses the mechanism to ascend. Specifically, since all three herbs tend to descend, the upward movement of Kidney Yin may inevitably encounter stagnation. Therefore, Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) is added to unblock and facilitate the interaction of Yin and Yang, and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) resides in the Central Palace to harmonize. The formula is named Suanzaoren Tang because Suanzaoren... [Text cuts off here]
Modern practitioners use Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus) primarily for its ability to strengthen Yin and benefit Essence, which is originally correct. However, the tree grows over a zhang high, blooms in the second lunar month, and bears fruit immediately upon entering winter. It fully inherits the Qi of Jueyin Wood. The fruit is sour and warm, sufficient to warm the Liver, dispel Wind, and open orifices. Thus, it also treats nasal congestion, deafness, yellow eyes, and darkened complexion. Regarding texts stating it treats pathogenic factors under the heart, alternating chills and fever, and sweating, some suspect it lacks these capabilities. They do not realize that its purple-red color allows it to enter the Pericardium channel, and it possesses the dispersing and荡涤 (cleansing) posture of Wind-Wood. Sweat is the fluid of the Heart; how could it not cause profuse sweating? Once sweat is released, the pathogens of chills and fever are also eliminated. All these aspects require detailed investigation beyond mere tonification. Therefore, when used in Shenqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill), its function is presumably not limited merely to strengthening Yin and benefiting Essence.