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Ophiopogon Japonicus (Maidong)
Sweet, cold, non-toxic. Use after removing the heart, which prevents causing mental restlessness.
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it governs knotting qi in the chest and abdomen, injury to the middle jiao or overeating, severance of the stomach collateral vessels, emaciation and shortness of breath. Long-term use makes the body light, delays aging, and reduces hunger.

[Invention] Maidong is slightly yin within yang. It enters the Heart, Lung, Kidney, and Foot-Yangming Stomach meridians. It settles heat in the Heart causing palpitations and vexation, and treats lung abscess with expectoration of pus. Its action is primarily draining rather than astringent; thus, it is contraindicated for those with excessive cold. For latent fire in the lungs where pulse qi is about to cease, adding Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry) and Renshen (Ginseng) forms Shengmai San (Generate the Pulse Decoction), which specifically tonifies insufficient yuan qi in the pulses. Li Dongyuan stated: Between the sixth and seventh months, when damp-heat is abundant, people suffer from bone weakness and fatigue, heavy body, shortness of breath, dizziness, and blacking out of the eyes, even to the point of flaccidity. Therefore, Sun Simiao used Shengmai San to tonify the primordial true qi. The pulse represents human yuan qi. Renshen is sweet and warm, draining yin fire and benefiting yuan qi. Maidong is sweet and cold, moistening dry metal (Lung) and clearing the water source. Wuweizi is sour and salty, draining bing fire (Small Intestine fire) and tonifying geng metal (Large Intestine/Lung), while also benefiting the qi of the five zang organs. Li Shizhen stated: When used with Dihuang (Rehmannia Root) as an assistant, Maidong prevents whitening of the hair, adds essence and marrow, unblocks kidney qi, settles panting, and makes the skin smooth and lustrous. The statement in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* regarding "governing knotting qi in the chest and abdomen, injury to the middle jiao or overeating, severance of stomach collateral vessels, emaciation and shortness of breath" flows as one continuous thought. It means that due to overeating damaging the stomach, leading to knotting of qi in the chest and abdomen, blockage of vessels, emaciation, and shortness of breath, it is appropriate to use this herb to nourish fluids and unblock the Lung and Stomach. This does not refer to resolving phlegm or digesting food. It is unsuitable for those with yin deficiency and emaciation, panting and coughing, loss of voice, hemoptysis, and sudden cough due to wind-heat; its cold nature may constrain heat pathogens, making them difficult to resolve, often resulting in chronic deficiency diseases. It must not be mistakenly used for cough during measles, as its cold nature aids yin and constrains yang, preventing the pathogen from venting. It is unsuitable for diarrhea due to spleen-stomach deficiency-cold, diarrhea due to deficiency-cold in smallpox/variolae, and postpartum diarrhea and thirst due to blood deficiency.

Daylily (Xuancao)
Also known as Yinan (Suitable for Men) and Wangyou (Forget Sorrow).
Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.

[Invention] Xuancao's nature descends and enters the yin levels. Therefore, its root treats gravel strangury, moves water qi, and addresses the severe heat and epistaxis caused by jaundice due to alcohol. Pounded and taken with wine, it treats mastitis with swelling and pain. The flower treats jaundice due to alcohol and promotes the discharge of damp-heat. If the flowers are layered, they are toxic and should not be eaten.