大棗 대추 (대조)

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 2

1. 性平一云溫, 味甘, 無毒.

   Its nature is neutral, though some say warm; the taste is sweet, and it carries no toxicity.

2. 安中養脾, 補五藏, 助十二經脉, 補津液, 通九竅, 强志, 和百藥.

   It calms the middle and nourishes the spleen, tonifies the five organs, supports the twelve meridians, replenishes body fluids, opens the nine orifices, strengthens the will, and harmonizes the action of all other herbs.

3. 一名乾棗, 處處有之.

   It is also called ganzao (dried jujube), and it grows commonly almost everywhere.

4. 八月採, 暴乾.

   It is harvested in the eighth lunar month and dried in the sun for storage.

5. 其皮裏肉補虛, 所以合湯, 皆擘之也. 《本草》

   The flesh just beneath the skin is what supplements deficiency, so when it goes into a decoction the fruit is always split open so the inner pulp can release. 《Bencao》

6. 味甘, 補經不足, 以緩陰血.

   Its sweetness replenishes deficiencies in the meridians and gently relaxes the yin-blood.

7. 血緩則脉生, 故能助十二經脉. 《入門》

   When the blood is eased, the pulse comes alive, and this is why it can support all twelve meridians. 《Rumen》

8. 生棗

   What follows concerns the fresh, undried jujube.

9. 味甘辛.

   The fresh fruit tastes sweet with a faint pungency.

10. 多食令人腹脹, 羸瘦, 生寒熱.

    Eating too much causes abdominal bloating, paradoxical wasting, and alternating chills and fever, so moderation matters.

11. 蒸煮食, 則補腸胃, 肥中益氣,

    When steamed or boiled before eating, it tonifies the intestines and stomach, fills out the middle, and reinforces qi.

12. 生食則腹脹注泄. 《本草》

    Eaten raw, however, it tends to bring on bloating and watery diarrhea. 《Bencao》

13. 核中仁

    Next comes the kernel found inside the jujube stone.

14. 三歲陳核中仁燔之, 主腹痛邪氣疰忤. 《本草》

    The kernel from stones aged three years, lightly roasted, treats abdominal pain and the so-called zhuwu syndrome caused by evil qi. 《Bencao》

15. 棗葉

    Finally, the use of the jujube tree's leaves.

16. 爲末服, 使人瘦.

    Ground into a fine powder and taken internally, the leaves cause the body to grow thin.

17. 取汁揩熱疿瘡, 良. 《本草》

    The juice pressed from the leaves, rubbed onto heat rashes and prickly-heat sores, works well. 《Bencao》