Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Plants and Trees

The Sour Jujube

The Sour Jujube original: 酸棗 (suānzǎo); the wild ancestor of the common jujube (Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa), known for its medicinal seeds grows in the river valleys and marshes of Hedong an ancient region "East of the Yellow River," primarily in modern Shanxi Province. It is also found near the capital and throughout the northwestern prefectures and counties. However, only those specimens harvested from Suanzao County literally "Sour Jujube County," located in modern Henan Province are considered the genuine variety for medicinal use.

The tree reaches a height of several dozen feet, with a trunk diameter of one to two feet. The grain of the wood is extremely fine, and the wood itself is both hard and heavy. The inner kernels of its seeds are somewhat elongated and possess a deep red color, much like cinnabar.

The flavor of the Sour Jujube is sour, its nature is "balanced" original: 平 (píng); in traditional medicine, this means it is neither inherently heating nor cooling, and it is non-toxic.

It is primarily used to treat "cold and heat" fluctuating temperatures or chills and fever in the heart and abdomen, as well as the accumulation of stagnant Qi vital energy and "evil" influences. It addresses aching in the four limbs and damp-numbness original: 濕痺 (shībì); a condition where environmental dampness causes pain, swelling, or heaviness in the joints. It is highly regarded for treating irritability and the inability to sleep, as well as pain above or below the navel, "blood-turning" likely referring to issues with blood circulation or menstrual irregularities, chronic diarrhea, "deficiency sweating" night sweats or sweating without physical exertion, and excessive thirst.

Furthermore, it "supplements the Center" original: 補中 (bǔzhōng); meaning it supports the digestive system and the body's core vitality, benefits the Liver-Qi, strengthens the tendons and bones, assists the Yin energy the cooling, nourishing, and grounding aspect of the body’s energy, and brings peace to the five internal organs.