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Shennong's Classic of the Materia Medica — Fruits (Upper Grade)

A Vernacular Interpretation of "Shennong's Classic of the Materia Medica" — Fruits (Upper Grade)

This chapter covers the Fruits (Upper Grade) from Shennong's Classic of the Materia Medica, comprising five entries: Lotus Root and Seed (藕实茎), Chinese Jujube (大枣), Grape (葡萄), Raspberry (蓬蔂), and Gordon Euryale Seed (鸡头实). The original text at the end of the chapter states, "Five varieties in the Upper Grade, formerly six; now tangerine and pomelo have been moved to the Woods section," meaning there were originally six, but tangerine and pomelo were later reassigned to the Woods (木) category, leaving five. The ancients classified these edible fruits and rhizomes as Upper Grade, generally regarding their natures and flavors as sweet and neutral or sour and neutral, with common properties of tonifying, lightening the body, and slowing aging. The following is an entry-by-entry interpretation.

I. Lotus Root and Seed (藕实茎)

Original Text
Flavor sweet, nature neutral. Mainly warms the Middle and nourishes the Spirit, boosts qi and strength, and eliminates all manner of ailments. Taken long-term, it lightens the body, delays aging, staves off hunger, and extends years. Also known as Water Spirit Elixir (水芝丹). Grows in ponds and marshes.
Famous Physicians' notes: Also known as Lian (莲), produced in Runan, harvested in the eighth month. According to Shuowen: Ou (藕) is the root of the lotus; Lian (莲) is the fruit of the lotus; Qie (茄) is the stem of the lotus.

Overall Paraphrase
Flavor sweet, nature neutral. The ancients believed it chiefly tonifies the Middle Burner (spleen and stomach), calms and stabilizes the spirit, enhances qi and physical strength, and dispels various disorders. Taken long-term, it renders the body light and agile, retards aging, staves off hunger, and prolongs life. Also known as Shuizhi Dan (Water Spirit Elixir). It grows in ponds and marshes.
Famous Physicians' commentary: Also known as Lian, produced in Runan, harvested in the eighth month. Philological research indicates that "Ou" is the root of the lotus (Furong), "Lian" is the fruit, and "Qie" is the stem.

🧠 Deep Understanding

Core Principle 💡: Lotus root and seeds grow in water, with a sweet flavor that enters the Spleen and a neutral nature that is neither hot nor cold. They are considered to obtain the clear qi of water, capable of tonifying the Middle and nourishing the Spirit. This reflects the Chinese medical concepts of "sweet flavor tonifies the Middle" and "medicine and food share the same origin."
Modern Perspective 🌟: Lotus root and seeds contain starch, dietary fiber, polyphenols, and B vitamins, providing nutritional value as everyday foods. However, claims of "eliminating all ailments" and "staving off hunger and extending years" are idealized expressions typical of Upper Grade herbs in ancient texts and should not be taken as medical or longevity guarantees.
Wellness Implications ⚡: In autumn, moderate consumption of cooked lotus root or lotus seed porridge is appropriate, with attention to thorough cooking and portion control; those with cold and deficient spleen and stomach should consume them warm. This falls under general dietary regulation, not treatment for any specific condition.

II. Chinese Jujube (大枣)

Original Text
Flavor sweet, nature neutral. Mainly treats pathogenic qi in the heart and abdomen, stabilizes the Middle, nourishes the Spleen, assists the twelve channels, harmonizes stomach qi, opens the nine orifices, supplements deficiency of qi, insufficiency of body fluids, internal deficiencies of the body, severe fright, heaviness of the four limbs, and harmonizes all medicines. Taken long-term, it lightens the body and extends years. Its leaves covering ephedra can cause sweating. Grows in plains and marshes.
Wu Pu says: Jujube governs harmonizing the Middle, boosting spleen qi, giving one a good complexion and elevating the spirit. Famous Physicians' notes: Also known as Gan Zao (dried jujube), Mei Zao (fine jujube), Liang Zao (good jujube); harvested in the eighth month, dried in the sun, produced in Hedong.

Overall Paraphrase
Flavor sweet, nature neutral. The ancients believed it mainly dispels pathogenic qi from the heart and abdomen, stabilizes the Middle Burner, nourishes the Spleen and Stomach, assists the twelve channels, harmonizes stomach qi, opens the nine orifices (eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and the two lower orifices), supplements shortness of breath, insufficient body fluids, and internal deficiency, calms severe fright, alleviates heaviness of the limbs, and harmonizes all medicinals. Long-term use lightens the body and prolongs life. Its leaves spread over ephedra can induce sweating. It grows in plains and marshes.
Wu Pu's commentary: Jujube excels at harmonizing the Middle, boosting spleen qi, giving one a radiant complexion and a resolute spirit. Famous Physicians' notes: Also known as Gan Zao, Mei Zao, and Liang Zao; harvested in the eighth month, sun-dried, produced in Hedong.

🧠 Deep Understanding

Core Principle 💡: Chinese jujube is sweet and warm in nature (the original text says neutral, but later tradition regards it as warm), considered the "fruit of the Spleen," capable of tonifying the Middle and boosting qi, nourishing the Blood and calming the Spirit. In Chinese herbal formulas, ginger and jujube are commonly paired to harmonize the Nutritive and Defensive levels—hence the claim of "harmonizing all medicines."
The statement "its leaves covering ephedra can cause sweating" is an appended note that has been debated through the ages and should not be used as a basis for daily practice.
Modern Perspective 🌟: Jujube contains sugars, vitamin C, and minor bioactive compounds; moderate consumption provides energy. However, claims such as "opening the nine orifices" and "stabilizing the Middle and nourishing the Spleen" are Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts without direct modern correlates. Jujube is high in sugar; overconsumption should be avoided, especially for those with abnormal blood glucose, who should follow their physician's advice.
Wellness Implications ⚡: In daily life, a few dried jujubes or jujube porridge suffice—intake should be modest. For fatigue or heavy limbs, one should first seek medical evaluation to determine the cause rather than relying solely on jujube.

III. Grape (葡萄)

Original Text
Flavor sweet, nature neutral. Mainly treats damp-bi (painful obstruction) of the sinews and bones, boosts qi, doubles strength, strengthens the will, makes one plump and robust, able to endure hunger and withstand wind and cold. Long-term consumption lightens the body, delays aging, and extends years. It may be made into wine. Grows in mountain valleys.
Famous Physicians' notes: Produced in Longxi, Wuyuan, and Dunhuang.
According to the Records of the Grand Historian, Account of Dayuan: In the regions around Dayuan, grapes were made into wine. Han envoys brought back the fruit, and from then on the Son of Heaven began to plant alfalfa and grapevines in fertile lands.

Overall Paraphrase
Flavor sweet, nature neutral. The ancients believed it chiefly addresses damp-bi of the sinews and bones (heavy, painful limbs and joints caused by dampness), boosts upright qi, increases physical strength, fortifies the spirit, and renders one plump and robust, able to withstand hunger and wind-cold. Long-term consumption lightens the body and forestalls aging. It may be used to make wine. It grows in mountain valleys.
Famous Physicians' notes: Produced in Longxi, Wuyuan, and Dunhuang. Historical textual evidence records that the Dayuan region used grapes to make wine; Han envoys brought back the fruit, and only then did the Central Plains begin cultivating grapes on fertile land.

🧠 Deep Understanding

Core Principle 💡: Grapes are sweet and neutral, capable of boosting qi and strengthening sinews and bones. The ancients believed they had auxiliary value for "damp-bi." The mention that "it may be made into wine" indicates early pharmacopoeias recognized the fermentative use of grapes; however, alcohol is damp and hot in nature and should not be equated with "enduring hunger and withstanding wind and cold."
Modern Perspective 🌟: Grapes contain glucose, fructose, organic acids, anthocyanins, resveratrol, and other compounds, offering antioxidant and nutritional benefits as a fruit. However, claims of "doubling strength" and "fortifying the will" should not be exaggerated. Wine contains alcohol; chronic excessive consumption is harmful to health and cannot be considered a wellness practice.
Wellness Implications ⚡: Fresh grapes should be consumed in moderation with careful washing. It is not advisable to substitute alcoholic beverages for fresh fruit, nor to consume large amounts of overly sweet grapes on an empty stomach.

IV. Raspberry (蓬蔂)

Original Text
Flavor sour, nature neutral. Mainly stabilizes the five viscera, boosts essence-qi, causes the yin to grow and become firm, strengthens the will, doubles strength, and promotes fertility. Long-term consumption lightens the body and delays aging. Also known as Fupen (覆盆). Grows in plains and marshes.
Famous Physicians' notes: Also known as Ling Lei (陵蔂) and Yin Yao (阴药), produced at Mount Jing and Yuanqu.
Tao Hongjing states: Peng Lei is the root name, while Fupen is the fruit name.

Overall Paraphrase
Flavor sour, nature neutral. The ancients believed it chiefly harmonizes the five viscera, supplements essence-qi (the fundamental substances and functions of human life), causes the yin essence to grow and become firm, strengthens the will, increases physical strength, and supports fertility. Long-term use lightens the body and delays aging. Also known as Fupen. It grows in plains and marshes.
Famous Physicians' notes: Also known as Ling Lei and Yin Yao, produced at Mount Jing and Yuanqu. Tao Hongjing believed that "Peng Lei" is the name for the root and "Fupen" is the name for the fruit.

🧠 Deep Understanding

Core Principle 💡: The sour flavor is astringent and constraining; hence the fruit was considered capable of consolidating essence-qi and stabilizing the five viscera. The phrase "causes the yin to grow and become firm... promotes fertility" reflects the ancient approach of supplementing kidney essence—within the framework of traditional herbal theory, not as modern fertility guidance.
Modern Perspective 🌟: The raspberry (Fupenzi) belongs to the genus Rubus in the Rosaceae family. It contains organic acids, flavonoids, and vitamins, providing nutritional value as a berry. However, claims of "promoting fertility" and "causing firmness" lack modern clinical evidence and should not be construed as claims of aiding conception or as an aphrodisiac.
Wellness Implications ⚡: Berries may be consumed in moderation as part of a varied diet. Overconsumption for perceived "kidney-tonifying" purposes is not recommended; reproductive health issues require professional medical attention.

V. Gordon Euryale Seed (鸡头实, Qian Shi)

Original Text
Flavor sweet, nature neutral. Mainly treats damp-bi, pain in the lower back, spine, and knees, tonifies the Middle and eliminates sudden ailments, boosts essence-qi, strengthens the will, and sharpens the ears and eyes. Long-term consumption lightens the body, staves off hunger, delays aging, and renders one a transcendent being (shenxian). Also known as Yan Zhuo Shi (雁啄实). Grows in ponds and marshes.
Famous Physicians' notes: Also known as Qian (芡), produced in Lei Marsh, harvested in the eighth month; texts commonly refer to it as "chicken head" or "wild goose head."

Overall Paraphrase
Flavor sweet, nature neutral. The ancients believed it chiefly addresses damp-bi and pain in the lower back, spine, and knees; tonifies the Middle; eliminates sudden illnesses; supplements essence-qi; strengthens the will; and sharpens hearing and sight. Long-term use lightens the body, staves off hunger, resists aging, and even attains the state of "transcendence" (shenxian). Also known as Yan Zhuo Shi. It grows in ponds and marshes.
Famous Physicians' notes: Also known as Qian, produced in Lei Marsh, harvested in the eighth month; classical texts often call it the chicken-head fruit or wild goose-head fruit.

🧠 Deep Understanding

Core Principle 💡: Gordon euryale seed grows in water, is sweet and neutral, tonifies the Middle, and also dispels dampness—hence the ancients applied it to "damp-bi" conditions accompanied by deficiency. The reference to "transcendence" (shenxian) belongs to Daoist wellness discourse, bearing obvious marks of its historical context, and should be interpreted rationally.
Modern Perspective 🌟: Gordon euryale seed contains starch, protein, and various trace elements. As a coarse grain, it provides satiety and nutritional value. However, claims of "resisting aging" and attaining "transcendence" are not credible and should not replace standard medical care.
Wellness Implications ⚡: Gordon euryale seed can be used in porridge or soups as part of a diverse staple diet. Those with weak digestion should not overconsume. Back and knee pain warrants medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause.

📚 Related Knowledge

Related Concepts: Upper Grade medicinals, medicine and food sharing the same origin, sweet flavor tonifying the Middle, sour flavor astringing, damp-bi, essence-qi-spirit, the five fruits.
Further Reading: Huangdi Neijing — "The five grains nourish, the five fruits assist"; relevant entries in the Fruits section of Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica); the general introduction to the Upper Grade in Shennong's Classic of the Materia Medica.

Overview: The five fruit items in this chapter, classified as Upper Grade, embody the ancient wellness philosophy of "medicine and food sharing the same origin" and "the five fruits assist." Expressions such as "long-term use lightens the body and delays aging" and "transcendence" should be understood as cultural concepts and historical context rather than as evidence of modern therapeutic efficacy.

— Bu Gua

This content is based on classical Chinese medical texts and is provided solely for the study and appreciation of traditional culture. It does not constitute any form of medical diagnosis, medication recommendation, or treatment advice. If you are unwell, please seek timely professional medical care.