山茱萸 산수유 (산수유)

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 3

1. 性微溫, 味酸澁, 無毒.

   It is slightly warm in nature, sour and astringent in taste, and non-toxic. Its gentle warmth makes it suitable for long-term use.

2. 强陰益精, 補腎氣, 興陽道,

   It strengthens yin energy, replenishes essence, tonifies kidney qi, and arouses yang vigor. In short, it broadly supports vitality and reproductive function.

3. 堅長陰莖, 添精髓,

   It firms and lengthens the male organ and replenishes essence and marrow. It was prized as a tonic that nourishes both marrow and reproductive function.

4. 煖腰膝, 助水藏,

   It warms the lower back and knees and assists the water organ, namely the kidneys. It suits older adults who feel cold or weak in the lower back and knees.

5. 止小便利, 老人尿不節,

   It checks excessive urination and treats the incontinence often seen in the elderly, since it bolsters the kidney's power to hold and store.

6. 除頭風鼻塞耳聾.

   It dispels head-wind, nasal congestion, and deafness, also calming wind that rises upward in the body.

7. 在處有之. 葉似楡, 花白.

   It grows everywhere; its leaves resemble those of the elm, and its flowers are white. The tree is easily found across the mountains and fields of Korea.

8. 子初熟未乾赤色, 大如枸杞子, 有核, 亦可啖.

   When the fruit has just ripened and is not yet dried, it is red, about the size of a goji berry, contains a stone, and may be eaten raw. This is the bright red autumn fruit we know today.

9. 旣乾, 皮甚薄.

   Once fully dried, its skin becomes very thin, so the flesh separates easily when processed.

10. 每一斤, 去核取肉皮四兩, 爲正.

    For each catty, removing the stones and taking four ounces of flesh and skin is the proper standard; the stones must be removed for the medicine to work correctly.

11. 肉壯元氣秘精.

    The flesh fortifies primordial qi and locks in essence. This red flesh is the part actually used as medicine.

12. 核能滑精, 故去之.

    The stone, by contrast, causes essence to leak out and must therefore be discarded. Within the same fruit, flesh and stone act in opposite directions.

13. 九月十月採實, 陰乾. 《本草》

    The fruit is gathered in the ninth and tenth lunar months and dried in the shade, since shade-drying preserves its medicinal qi better than direct sun. (Bencao)

14. 酒浸去核, 慢火焙乾用.

    Soak it in wine, remove the stones, and slowly roast-dry it over a gentle fire before use. The wine and mild heat enhance its tonifying power.

15. 一名石棗. 《入門》

    It is also called seokjo, meaning stone jujube, a name drawn from its hard stone and red, jujube-like fruit. (Ipmun)