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Shennong Bencao Jing: Fruits (Upper Grade)

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

This chapter of Shennong Bencao Jing covers the Fruits (Upper Grade), containing 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, "The upper grade has five species; previously there were six, but now tangerine and pomelo have been moved to the wood section." That is, originally there were six, but later tangerine and pomelo were transferred to the wood category, leaving five. The ancients classified these edible fruits, roots, and stems as upper grade, generally considering them to be sweet and neutral or sour and neutral in flavor and nature, sharing properties of supplementation, lightening the body, and delaying aging. Below is a detailed interpretation of each entry.

I. Lotus Root and Seed (藕实茎)

Original Text Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature. Chiefly tonifies the center and nourishes the spirit, boosts qi and strength, and dispels all hundred ailments. Taken long-term, it lightens the body, delays aging, staves off hunger, and extends years. Also known as Shuizhi Dan. Grows in ponds and marshes. Mingyi annotation: Also called Lian (lotus seed), produced in Runan, harvested in the eighth month. According to the Shuowen: o u is the root of the lotus; lian is the fruit of the lotus; qie is the stem of the lotus.

Overall Paraphrase Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature. The ancients believed it chiefly tonifies the middle burner (spleen and stomach), calms the spirit, boosts qi and strength, and dispels various disorders. Taken long-term, it makes the body light, delays aging, staves off hunger, and prolongs life. Also known as Shuizhi Dan. It grows in pond marshes. The Mingyi annotation states: Also called Lian, produced in Runan, harvested in the eighth month. Textual research shows that "ou" is the root of the lotus, "lian" is the fruit of the lotus, and "qie" is the stem of the lotus.

🧠 In-Depth Understanding

Core Principles 💡: Lotus root and lotus seeds grow in water, taste sweet and enter the spleen, are neutral without bias, and are believed to obtain the clear qi of water, capable of tonifying the center and nourishing the spirit. This reflects the TCM approach of "sweet flavors tonify the center" and "medicine and food share the same source."
Modern Understanding 🌟: Lotus root and lotus seeds contain starch, dietary fiber, polyphenols, and B vitamins, having nutritional value as daily foods. However, "dispelling all hundred ailments" and "staving off hunger and extending years" are idealized expressions for upper-grade medicines of antiquity and should not be taken as actual curative or longevity effects.
Health Insights ⚡: In autumn, one may appropriately consume cooked lotus root or lotus seed porridge, noting to cook thoroughly and avoid excess; those with spleen and stomach cold should eat them warm. This belongs to general dietary adjustment, not targeting any specific disease.

II. Chinese Jujube (大枣)

Original Text Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature. Chiefly treats evil qi in the heart and abdomen, calms the center, nourishes the spleen, assists the twelve channels, harmonizes stomach qi, unblocks the nine orifices, tonifies deficiency of qi, scarcity of fluids, insufficiency within the body, severe fright, heavy limbs, and harmonizes all medicines. Taken long-term, it lightens the body and extends years. Its leaves covering ephedra can induce sweating. Grows in plains and marshes. Wu Pu's annotation: Jujube governs harmonizing the center, boosts spleen qi, giving one a good complexion and noble aspirations. Mingyi annotation: Also called Ganzao, Meizao, and Liangzao, harvested in the eighth month, dried in the sun, produced in Hedong.

Overall Paraphrase Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature. The ancients believed it chiefly dispels evil qi from the heart and abdomen, calms the center, nourishes the spleen and stomach, assists the twelve channels (the character "肋" (rib) may be a variant or error for "助" (assist)), harmonizes stomach qi, unblocks the nine orifices (eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and the two lower orifices), tonifies shortness of breath, insufficiency of fluids, and internal deficiency of the body, calms fright, relieves heavy limbs, and harmonizes all medicines. Long-term use lightens the body and extends years. Its leaves placed over ephedra can induce sweating. It grows in plains and marshes. Wu Pu's annotation states: Jujube excels at harmonizing the center and boosting spleen qi, giving one a radiant complexion and a full spirit. Mingyi annotation states: Also called Ganzao, Meizao, and Liangzao, harvested in the eighth month, dried in the sun, produced in Hedong.

🧠 In-Depth Understanding

Core Principles 💡: Jujube is sweet and warm (the original text says neutral, but later generations mostly consider it sweet and warm), regarded as the "fruit of the spleen," capable of tonifying the center and boosting qi, nourishing blood and calming the spirit. In TCM formulas, ginger and jujube are often paired to harmonize ying and wei, hence it is called "harmonizing all medicines." The phrase "leaves covering ephedra can induce sweating" is an appended note, controversial through the ages, and should not be used as a basis for daily use.
Modern Understanding 🌟: Jujube contains sugars, vitamin C, and small amounts of bioactive components; moderate consumption provides energy. However, "unblocking the nine orifices" and "calming the center and nourishing the spleen" are TCM theories lacking direct modern correlation; jujube is high in sugar and should not be overconsumed, particularly by those with abnormal blood glucose who should follow medical advice.
Health Insights ⚡: In daily life, one may eat a few dried jujubes or cook them in porridge, a few per day is sufficient; one should not overindulge. For fatigue or heavy limbs, one should first seek medical evaluation to determine the cause rather than relying on jujube.

III. Grape (葡萄)

Original Text Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature. Chiefly treats damp painful obstruction in the sinews and bones, boosts qi, doubles strength, fortifies the will, makes one plump and robust, able to endure hunger and withstand wind and cold. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and extends years; it can be made into wine. Grows in mountain valleys. Mingyi annotation: Produced in Longxi, Wuyuan, and Dunhuang. According to the Shiji chapter on Dayuan: In the region of Dayuan and its vicinity, wine is made from grapes. Han envoys brought back the fruit, and subsequently the Son of Heaven began planting alfalfa and grapes in fertile lands.

Overall Paraphrase Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature. The ancients believed it chiefly addresses damp painful obstruction (heavy pain in the limbs and joints due to dampness), boosts righteous qi, increases strength, fortifies the spirit, makes one plump and robust, able to endure hunger and withstand wind and cold. Long-term consumption lightens the body, delays aging, and can be used to make wine. It grows in mountain valleys. Mingyi annotation states: Produced in Longxi, Wuyuan, and Dunhuang. Historical records state that the Dayuan region used grapes to make wine; Han envoys brought back the fruit, and only then did the Central Plains begin planting grapes in fertile lands.

🧠 In-Depth Understanding

Core Principles 💡: Grapes are sweet and neutral, boosting qi and strengthening sinews and bones; the ancients considered them supportive for "damp painful obstruction." The phrase "can be made into wine" shows that early herbal texts recognized the brewing use of grapes, but wine itself is damp and warm in nature and should not be equated with "enduring hunger and withstanding wind and cold."
Modern Understanding 🌟: 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, and long-term excessive consumption is harmful to health and should not be considered a health practice.
Health Insights ⚡: Fresh grapes may be consumed in moderation with proper washing; it is not recommended to substitute wine for fresh fruit, nor to eat excessively sweet grapes on an empty stomach.

IV. Penglei (Raspberry / 蓬蔂)

Original Text Sour in flavor, neutral in nature. Chiefly calms the five viscera, boosts essential qi, makes yin grow and become firm, fortifies the will, doubles strength, and promotes fertility. Long-term consumption lightens the body and prevents aging. Also known as Fupen. Grows in plains and marshes. Mingyi annotation: Also called Linglei and Yinyao, produced at Mount Jing and Yuanqu. Tao Hongjing states: Penglei is the name of the root, and Fupen is the name of the fruit.

Overall Paraphrase Sour in flavor, neutral in nature. The ancients believed it chiefly calms the five viscera, boosts essential qi (the foundational substance and function of life activities), causes yin essence to grow and become firm, fortifies the will, increases strength, and aids fertility. Long-term consumption lightens the body and prevents aging. Also known as Fupen. Grows in plains and marshes. Mingyi annotation states: Also called Linglei and Yinyao, produced at Mount Jing and Yuanqu. Tao Hongjing believed "Penglei" was the name for the root and "Fupen" for the fruit.

🧠 In-Depth Understanding

Core Principles 💡: Sour flavors can astringe and consolidate; therefore, it is believed to secure essential qi and calm the five viscera. The phrases "make yin grow and become firm" and "double strength and promote fertility" reflect the ancient TCM concept of tonifying kidney essence, representing herbal theory rather than modern reproductive guidance.
Modern Understanding 🌟: Raspberry is the fruit of Rubus species in the Rosaceae family, containing organic acids, flavonoids, vitamins, and other nutrients, with certain nutritional value as a berry. However, claims such as "promote fertility" and "make firm" lack modern clinical evidence and should not be interpreted as fertility-enhancing or aphrodisiac effects.
Health Insights ⚡: Berries may be consumed in moderation as part of a diverse diet; it is not advisable to overconsume for the purpose of "tonifying the kidneys." Reproductive health concerns should be addressed by a physician.

V. Jitoushi (Gordon Euryale Seed / 鸡头实)

Original Text Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature. Chiefly treats damp painful obstruction, pain in the lower back, spine, and knees, tonifies the center, dispels acute ailments, boosts essential qi, fortifies the will, and sharpens hearing and vision. Long-term consumption lightens the body, staves off hunger, delays aging, and attains immortality. Also known as Yanzhuoshi. Grows in ponds and marshes. Mingyi annotation: Also called Qianshi, produced in Leize, harvested in the eighth month.

Overall Paraphrase Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature. The ancients believed it chiefly addresses damp painful obstruction and pain in the lower back, spine, and knees, tonifies the center, dispels sudden ailments, boosts essential qi, fortifies the will, and sharpens hearing and vision. Long-term consumption lightens the body, staves off hunger, resists aging, and even attains an immortal state. Also known as Yanzhuoshi. Grows in ponds and marshes. Mingyi annotation states: Also called Qianshi, produced in Leize, harvested in the eighth month; various sources refer to it as chicken head, goose head, etc.

🧠 In-Depth Understanding

Core Principles 💡: Gorgon fruit grows in water, is sweet and neutral, tonifies the center, and also dispels dampness, so the ancients used it for those with "damp painful obstruction" accompanied by deficiency. "Attaining immortality" belongs to Daoist health discourse with pronounced period coloring and should be viewed rationally.
Modern Understanding 🌟: Gorgon fruit contains starch, protein, and various trace elements; as a coarse grain it has certain satiety and nutritional value. However, "resisting aging and attaining immortality" is not credible and should not replace standard medical care.
Health Insights ⚡: Gorgon fruit can be cooked in porridge or soup, suitable as part of staple food diversification; however, those with weak digestion should not overconsume, and lower back or knee pain should be medically evaluated to identify the cause.

📚 Related Knowledge

Associated Concepts: Upper-grade medicines, medicine and food sharing the same source, sweet flavors tonifying the center, sour flavors astringing, damp painful obstruction, essence-qi-spirit, the five fruits.
Further Reading: Huangdi Neijing on "five grains for nourishment, five fruits for assistance"; relevant entries in the Fruit Section of Bencao Gangmu; the general introduction to upper-grade medicines in Shennong Bencao Jing.

Overview: The five fruits in this chapter are classified as upper grade, embodying the ancient concept of "medicine and food sharing the same source" and "five fruits for assistance" in health cultivation. Expressions such as "long-term use lightens the body and prevents aging" and "attaining immortality" should be understood as cultural concepts and historical contexts rather than as modern evidence of therapeutic efficacy.

— Bu Gua

This content is based on classical Chinese medical texts and is provided solely for the study of traditional culture and historical research. It does not constitute any medical diagnosis, prescription, or treatment advice. If you feel unwell, please seek medical attention promptly.