（《本经》上品）
【释名】 （《尔雅》）、山枣。
【集解】《别录》曰∶酸枣生河东川泽。八月采实，阴干，四十日成。
弘景曰∶今出东山间，云即山枣树。子似武昌枣而味极酸，东人啖之以醒睡，与经文疗
不得眠正相反。恭曰∶此即 枣也。树大如大枣，实无常形，但大枣中味酸者是。今医以棘
实为酸枣，大误矣。藏器曰∶酸枣既是大枣中之酸，此即是真枣，何复名酸？既名酸，又云
小。今枣中，酸者未必即小，小者未必即酸。惟嵩阳子云∶余家于滑台。今酸枣县，即滑之
属邑也。其树高数丈，径围一、二尺，木理极细，坚而且重，可为车轴及匙、箸等。其树皮
亦细而硬，纹似蛇鳞。其枣圆小而味酸，其核微圆而仁稍长，色赤如丹。此医之所重，居人
不易得。今市人卖者，皆棘子也。又云∶山枣树如棘，其子如生枣，其核如骨，其肉酸滑好
食，山人以当果。颂曰∶今近汴洛及西北州郡皆有之，野生多在坡 及城垒间。似枣木而皮
细，其木心赤色，茎叶俱青，花似枣花。八月结实，紫红色，似枣而圆小味酸。当月采实，
取核中仁，《孟子》曰“养其 棘”是也。嵩阳子言酸枣县所出为真，今之货者皆是棘实，
用
者尤宜详辨。志曰∶酸枣即棘实，更非他物。若云是大枣味酸者，全非也。酸枣小而圆，其
核中仁微扁；其大枣仁大而长，不相类也。宗 曰∶天下皆有之，但以土产宜与不宜尔。嵩
阳子言酸枣木高硕，今货者皆棘子，此说未尽。盖不知小则为棘，大则为酸枣。平地则易长，
居崖堑则难生。故棘多生崖堑上，久不樵则成干，人方呼为酸枣，更不言棘，其实一本也。
此物才及三尺，便开花结子。但科小者气味薄，木大者气味浓。今陕西、临潼山野所出亦好，
乃土地所宜也。后有白棘条，乃酸枣未长大时枝上刺也。及至长成，其实大，其刺亦少。故
枣取大木，棘取小科，不必强分别焉。
酸枣
【气味】酸，平，无毒。宗 曰∶微热。
时珍曰∶仁∶味甘，气平。
曰∶用仁，以叶拌蒸半日，去皮、尖。
之才曰∶恶防己。
【主治】心腹寒热，邪结气聚，四肢酸痛湿痹。久服，安五脏，轻身延年
烦心不得眠，脐上、下痛，血转久泄，虚汗烦渴，补中，益肝气，坚筋骨，助阴气，能令人
肥健（《别录》）。筋骨风，炒仁研，汤服（甄权）
【发明】恭曰∶《本经》用实疗不得眠，不言用仁。今方皆用仁。补中益肝，坚筋骨，
助阴气，皆酸枣仁之功也。宗 曰∶酸枣，《经》不言用仁，而今天下皆用之。志曰∶按∶《五
代史·后唐》刊石药验云∶酸枣仁，睡多生使，不得睡炒熟。陶云食之醒睡，而《经》云疗
不得眠。盖其子肉味酸，食之使不思睡；核中仁服之，疗不得眠。正如麻黄发汗，根节止汗
也。时珍曰∶酸枣实，味酸性收，故主肝病，寒热结气，酸痹久泄，脐下满痛之症。其仁甘
而润，故熟用疗胆虚不得眠、烦渴虚汗之症，生用疗胆热好眠，皆足厥阴、少阳药也。今人
专以为心家药，殊昧此理。
【附方】旧六，新二。
胆风沉睡∶胆风毒瓦斯，虚实不调，昏沉多睡。用酸枣仁一两（生用），金挺蜡茶二两（以
生姜汁涂，炙微焦），为散。每服二钱，水七分，煎六分，温服。（《简要济众方》）。
胆虚不眠，心多惊悸∶《圣惠方》∶用酸枣仁一两炒香，捣为散。每服二钱，竹叶汤调下。
《和剂局方》∶加人参一两，辰砂半两，乳香二钱半，炼蜜丸服。振悸不眠∶胡洽方∶酸枣
仁汤∶用酸枣仁二升，茯苓、白术、人参、甘草各二两，生姜六两，水八升，煮三升，分服。
（《图经》）虚烦不眠∶《深师方》酸枣仁汤∶用酸枣仁二升、 母、干姜、茯苓、芎 各二
两，甘草（
骨蒸不眠心烦∶用酸枣仁二两，水二盏研绞取汁，下粳米二合，煮粥候熟，下地黄汁一合，
再煮匀食。（《太平圣惠方》）。睡中汗出∶酸枣仁、人参、茯苓等分。为末。每服一钱，米
饮下。（《简便方》）。
【《神农本草经》列为上品】
【名称解释】 即《尔雅》中提到的“𣗥”，又称山枣。
【集解】 《名医别录》记载：酸枣生长在河东地区的川泽地带。八月采集果实，阴干四十天制成。
陶弘景说：现在出产于东山地区，说是就是山枣树。果实像武昌枣但味道极酸，东方人食用它来提神醒脑（防止嗜睡），这与经文治疗失眠的功效正好相反。
苏恭说：这就是棘枣树。树高大如大枣树，果实形状不固定，只是在大枣中味道酸的那种。现在的医生用棘树的果实当作酸枣，这是很大的错误。
陈藏器说：既然酸枣是大枣中味酸的一类，这本来就是真枣，为什么又叫做“酸”？既然叫“酸”，又说它小。现在的大枣中，酸的未必就小，小的未必就酸。只有嵩阳子说：我家住在滑台。现在的酸枣县，就是滑州的属县。那里的树高达数丈，树干直径一、二尺，木质纹理极细，坚硬且重，可以做车轴以及勺子、筷子等。树皮也细而硬，纹路像蛇鳞。果实圆小而味酸，果核微圆而仁稍长，颜色红如丹砂。这是医家所看重的，当地居民不容易得到。现在市场上卖的，都是棘树的果实。他又说：山枣树像棘树，果实像生枣，果核像骨头，果肉酸滑好吃，山里人把它当水果吃。
苏颂说：现在靠近汴京、洛阳及西北各州郡都有生长，野生多在山坡和城墙堡垒之间。像枣木但皮细，木质心呈赤色，茎叶都是青色，花像枣花。八月结果，紫红色，像枣但圆小味酸。当月采集果实，取核中的仁，《孟子》中说“养其𣗥棘”指的就是这个。嵩阳子说酸枣县出产的是真品，现在贩卖的都是棘实，使用者尤其应该仔细辨别。
李时珍说：酸枣就是棘实，绝不是其他东西。如果说它是味酸的大枣，完全不对。酸枣小而圆，核中的仁微扁；大枣的仁大而长，两者不相类似。
朱震亨说：天下各地都有，只是根据产地适宜与否而已。嵩阳子说酸枣树木高大硕壮，现在贩卖的都是棘子，这种说法不完全正确。大概是因为不知道小的为棘，大的为酸枣。平地容易生长，居住在悬崖沟壑处则难生长。所以棘多生在崖堑上，长久不被砍伐则长成主干，人们才称之为酸枣，不再称它为棘，其实是一棵树。这植物才长到三尺高，就开始开花结果。但丛小的气味淡薄，树木大的气味浓郁。现在陕西、临潼山野出产的也很好，是土地适宜生长的缘故。后来出现的白棘条，是酸枣未长大时枝上的刺。等到长成后，果实大，刺也少。所以取大木的叫枣，取小丛的叫棘，不必强行区分。
酸枣
【气味】 味酸，性平，无毒。朱震亨说：微热。
李时珍说：仁：味甘，气平。
【炮制方法】 使用仁时，用叶子拌蒸半天，去皮、尖。
【配伍禁忌】 苏之才说：畏防己。
【主治功效】 治疗心腹寒热，邪气结聚成块，四肢酸痛湿痹。长期服用，能安五脏，轻身延年。（《名医别录》）
治疗烦心不得眠，脐上下痛，血痢久泄不止，虚汗烦渴，补益中气，益肝气，强筋骨，助阴气，能使人肥壮健旺。（《名医别录》）
治疗筋骨风邪，将仁炒熟研末，用汤药送服。（甄权）
【发明】 苏恭说：《神农本草经》用果实治疗失眠，没说用仁。现在方剂都用仁。补中益肝，坚筋骨，助阴气，都是酸枣仁的功效。
朱震亨说：酸枣，《经》中没说用仁，但现在天下都用。
李时珍说：按：《五代史·后唐》刊石药验云：酸枣仁，嗜睡者用生的，失眠者用炒熟的。陶弘景说吃它能提神醒脑，而《经》说治疗失眠。大概是因为果肉味酸，吃了让人不想睡；核中的仁服用，治疗失眠。正如麻黄发汗，根节止汗一样。
李时珍说：酸枣果实，味酸性收，所以主治肝病，寒热结气，酸痹久泄，脐下满痛等症状。它的仁甘润，所以熟用治疗胆虚导致的失眠、烦渴虚汗等症状，生用治疗胆热导致的嗜睡，这些都是足厥阴肝经、足少阳胆经的药物。现在的人专门把它当作治心的药，很不明白这个道理。
【附方】 旧方六首，新方二首。
胆风沉睡：胆受风毒，虚实不调，昏沉多睡。用酸枣仁一两（生用），金挺蜡茶二两（用生姜汁涂抹，烤至微焦），研为散。每次服二钱，水七分，煎至六分，温服。（《简要济众方》）
胆虚不眠，心中多惊悸：《圣惠方》：用酸枣仁一两炒香，捣为散。每次服二钱，竹叶汤调下。《太平惠民和剂局方》：加人参一两，辰砂半两，乳香二钱半，炼蜜为丸服用。
振悸不眠：胡洽方：酸枣仁汤：用酸枣仁二升，茯苓、白术、人参、甘草各二两，生姜六两，水八升，煮取三升，分次服用。（《图经本草》）
虚烦不眠：《深师方》酸枣仁汤：用酸枣仁二升，知母、干姜、茯苓、川芎各二两，甘草（原文缺字，据方义推测可能为炙甘草或特定剂量），水八升，煮取三升，分服。
骨蒸不眠心烦：用酸枣仁二两，水二盏研磨绞取汁，加入粳米二合，煮粥待熟，加入地黄汁一合，再煮匀食。（《太平圣惠方》）
睡中汗出：酸枣仁、人参、茯苓等分。研为末。每次服一钱，米饮送下。（《简便方》）
[Classified as Upper Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
**Names:** Also known as "Ci" (referenced in *Erya*), or Mountain Jujube.
**Collection and Explanation:** The *Bielu* states: Sour jujube grows in the river valleys of Hedong. The fruits are harvested in August, dried in the shade, and processed over forty days.
Tao Hongjing said: It is now produced in the Eastern Mountains, said to be the Mountain Jujube tree. The fruit resembles the Wuchang jujube but tastes extremely sour. People in the East eat it to stay awake, which is exactly opposite to the classic text's indication for treating insomnia.
Su Gong said: This is the *Ji* (Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa) tree. The tree is large like the common jujube, the fruit has no fixed shape, but is simply the sour-tasting variety among jujubes. Current physicians mistakenly use the fruit of the *Ji* tree as sour jujube, which is a major error.
Chen Zangqi said: Since sour jujube is the sour type within the category of true jujubes, why is it named "Sour"? If it is named "Sour," it is also described as small. However, among current jujubes, the sour ones are not necessarily small, and the small ones are not necessarily sour. Only Songyangzi stated: My home was in Huatai. The current Sour Jujube County belongs to Huazhou. The trees there are several zhang high, with a trunk diameter of one or two chi. The wood grain is extremely fine, hard, and heavy, suitable for making cart axles, spoons, and chopsticks. The bark is also fine and hard, with patterns resembling snake scales. The fruit is round and small with a sour taste; the kernel is slightly longer than the seed, red as cinnabar. This is highly valued by physicians and difficult for locals to obtain. What is sold in markets today are all fruits of the *Ji* tree. He further added: The Mountain Jujube tree resembles the *Ji* tree; its fruit resembles raw jujube; its pit resembles bone; its flesh is sour, smooth, and delicious, used by mountain people as fruit.
Su Song said: It is now found near Bianjing, Luoyang, and various prefectures in the northwest. Wild varieties mostly grow on slopes and between city walls. It resembles jujube wood but has finer bark; the heartwood is reddish; stems and leaves are green; flowers resemble jujube flowers. Fruits ripen in August, are purple-red, round and small like jujubes, and sour. Harvest the fruits in the month, take the kernels from the pits. This is what is referred to in *Mencius* as "nourishing its *Ji* thorns." Songyangzi claimed that those produced in Sour Jujube County are authentic, whereas current merchandise consists of *Ji* fruits; users should distinguish them carefully.
Li Shizhen said: Sour jujube is indeed the fruit of the *Ji*, nothing else. To claim it is the sour-tasting common jujube is entirely incorrect. Sour jujube is small and round, with kernels that are slightly flattened; common jujube kernels are large and long; they are not similar.
Zhu Zhenheng said: They exist everywhere, depending on whether the local climate is suitable. Songyangzi's statement that sour jujube trees are tall and robust, while current market goods are *Ji* seeds, is incomplete. One must understand that the small ones are *Ji*, and the large ones are sour jujube. They grow easily on flat land but are hard to grow on cliffs and ravines. Thus, *Ji* often grows on cliffs; if left uncut for a long time, it forms a main trunk, and people then call it sour jujube, no longer calling it *Ji*, though they are essentially the same plant. When this plant reaches only three chi in height, it begins to flower and bear fruit. However, smaller bushes have weaker medicinal properties, while larger trees have stronger properties. Those produced in the mountains of Shaanxi and Lintong are also good, due to favorable soil conditions. Later, white thorny branches appear, which are the thorns on the branches before the sour jujube matures. When fully grown, the fruit is large, and the thorns are few. Therefore, large trees are taken as jujube, and small bushes as *Ji*; there is no need to force a distinction.
**Sour Jujube (Suan Zao)**
**Flavor and Nature:** Sour, neutral, non-toxic. Zhu Zhenheng said: Slightly warm.
Li Shizhen said: Kernel: Sweet, neutral.
**Processing:** For use of the kernel, steam it with leaves for half a day, then remove the skin and tips.
**Incompatibilities:** Su Zhicai said: Averse to Fangji (*Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix*).
**Indications:** Treats cold and heat in the chest and abdomen, accumulation of pathogenic qi, soreness and pain in the four limbs, and damp bi-syndrome. Long-term consumption calms the five viscera, lightens the body, and prolongs life. (*Bielu*)
Treats vexation and inability to sleep, pain above and below the umbilicus, chronic diarrhea due to blood disorders, deficiency sweating, vexation, and thirst. It tonifies the middle, benefits liver qi, strengthens sinews and bones, assists yin qi, and can make one fat and vigorous. (*Bielu*)
For wind in sinews and bones, fry the kernel, grind it, and administer with decoction. (Zhen Quan)
**Elucidation:** Su Gong said: The *Benjing* uses the fruit to treat insomnia, not mentioning the kernel. Now all prescriptions use the kernel. Tonifying the middle, benefiting liver qi, strengthening sinews and bones, and assisting yin qi are all functions of the Sour Jujube Kernel.
Zhu Zhenheng said: The classics do not mention using the kernel for sour jujube, yet the whole world uses it now.
Li Shizhen said: According to the *Stone Inscriptions of Medicinal Efficacy* in the *History of the Later Tang* (Five Dynasties): Sour jujube kernel, when raw, is used for excessive sleepiness; when fried/roasted, it is used for insomnia. Tao Hongjing said eating it keeps one awake, while the Classic says it treats insomnia. This is because the fruit flesh is sour; eating it makes one not want to sleep; consuming the kernel treats insomnia. Just as Mahuang (*Ephedrae Herba*) induces sweating, while its root nodes stop sweating.
Li Shizhen said: Sour jujube fruit, being sour and astringent, thus treats Liver diseases, cold-heat knotting of qi, acid-bi, chronic diarrhea, and fullness/pain below the umbilicus. Its kernel is sweet and moistening; thus, when roasted, it treats insomnia, vexation, thirst, and deficiency sweating caused by Gallbladder deficiency; when raw, it treats excessive sleepiness caused by Gallbladder heat. These are both herbs for the Foot-Jueyin (Liver) and Foot-Shaoyang (Gallbladder) meridians. People today exclusively use it for the Heart, which shows a lack of understanding of this principle.
**Attached Prescriptions:** Six old, two new.
**Gallbladder Wind causing Deep Sleep:** Gallbladder wind toxin, imbalance of excess and deficiency, drowsiness and excessive sleep. Use Sour Jujube Kernel 1 liang (raw), Jin Ting Wax Tea 2 liang (coated with fresh ginger juice, roasted until slightly charred), grind into powder. Take 2 qian each time, with 70% water, decoct to 60%, take warm. (*Jianyao Jizhong Fang*)
**Gallbladder Deficiency Insomnia, Frequent Palpitations:** *Shenghui Fang*: Use Sour Jujube Kernel 1 liang, fried until fragrant, ground into powder. Take 2 qian each time, mixed with Bamboo Leaf decoction. *Heji Ju Fang*: Add Ren Shen 1 liang, Chen Sha 0.5 liang, Xuxiang 2.5 qian, refine honey to make pills.
**Palpitations and Insomnia:** Hu Qia Formula: Suanzaoren Tang: Use Sour Jujube Kernel 2 sheng, Fuling, Baizhu, Renshen, Gancao each 2 liang, Shengjiang 6 liang, water 8 sheng, decoct to 3 sheng, divide and take. (*Tujing*)
**Deficiency Vexation and Insomnia:** *Shenshi Fang* Suanzaoren Tang: Use Sour Jujube Kernel 2 sheng, Zhimu, Ganjiang, Fuling, Xiongqiong each 2 liang, Gancao (dosage omitted in source), water 8 sheng, decoct to 3 sheng, divide and take.
**Bone-steaming Insomnia and Vexation:** Use Sour Jujube Kernel 2 liang, 2 zhan of water, grind and squeeze to extract juice, add Gengmi 2 he, cook porridge until ripe, add Dihuang juice 1 he, boil evenly and eat. (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*)
**Night Sweating:** Sour Jujube Kernel, Renshen, Fuling in equal parts. Grind into powder. Take 1 qian each time, with rice drink. (*Jianbian Fang*)