ZIZYPHUS JUJUBA.—(Suan-tsao). This is the wild, spinous form of Zizyphus vulgaris, which in its cultivated state has no spines. This wild form is a very thorny shrub, producing small, spherical, sour, edible fruits, having a globular pit. It is used for hedges. The dried, crushed, red drupes of this and other rhamnaceous trees are sold in the shops under the name of (Tsao-p‘i), 1337, and (Tsao-jou), 1336, and these are said to be stomachic and tonic. The kernels of these fruits and also of Rhamnus soporifer, if indeed these are not the same, are sold under the name of (Suan-tsao-jên), 1205. As the name Suan-tsao is also used for Diospyros lotus, it may be that these refer also to the kernels of that fruit. They are used as sedatives. From the fact that the tree grows in the mountains it is sometimes also called (Shan-tsao). The fruits are considered cooling, anodyne, and tonic. If eaten frequently, they are said to increase the flesh and strength. They are recommended in rheumatic difficulties and especially in sleeplessness, whether from weakness or from pain.
ZIZYPHUS VULGARIS.—(Tsao). This is the common cultivated jujube. It is grown in different parts of China, and has been cultivated from most ancient times. Those growing in the north are known as (Pei-tsao), and those in the South as (Nan-tsao). The green dates are said to produce fever, and those who are in low flesh should not eat them. The large dates, (Ta-tsao), are also called (Kan-tsao), (Mei-tsao), and (Liang-tsao). They are much used in medicine, especially in the preparation of pill masses and confections. They are considered nourishing, beneficial to the viscera, tonic, quieting, and laxative. They are thought to be antagonistic to Aconite, and are recommended in nausea and vomiting, ague, abdominal pain in pregnancy, and as a poultice in cancrum oris. The three-year old kernels of the stones are considered especially efficacious in abdominal pain and as an application to wounds. The leaves of the tree are regarded as diaphoretic, and are prescribed in the typhoid fever of children. The heartwood of the tree is recommended in marasmus, or the disease known as (Ku), and a decoction of it is said to have a beneficial action on the blood. The root is used in the eruptive fevers of children, and to promote the growth of hair. The bark is used in decoction, together with mulberry bark, as a wash to old inflamations of the eyes.
Nothing of the two articles is left out. The Chinese characters printed before each romanized name are not transcribed. Words hyphenated across a line break are joined.