〔害〕虽能补血，长于行血。设经早期，或无血经阻，及血少不能养胎，而胎不安，与
产后
血已畅者，皆不可犯，犯之，则成崩漏之患。凡温热病，邪在气分，而误用之，则反引邪入
营，不可不慎之。久服多眼赤，故应性热。本经云微寒，恐谬也。孕妇无故，及阴虚之人忌
用。
〔利〕苦、微寒、入心主血，去瘀生新，安神养阴，安生胎，落死胎，胎前产后，带下
崩中
需之。
〔修治〕北方产者良，五月采根曝干，猪心血拌炒，或酒炒用。
〔利〕甘平，补心虚而长智，悦胃气以培脾，除倦忘与怔忡，能安神而熟寐。道家服龙
眼肉
，细嚼千余，待满口津生，和津 而咽，此即服玉泉之法也。
〔修治〕七月实熟，白露后，方可采摘，晒干，焙。生者，沸汤瀹过，食不动脾。其核
去黑
壳研末，止金疮出血。
〔害〕性润动脾，便滑者忌。
〔害〕性寒而润，寒多人禁服。凡虚寒泄泻，及痘疮虚寒作泄，产后虚寒泄泻者，咸忌
之。
徐洄溪批叶按虚劳咳嗽部云∶麦冬能闭肺窍，遂致失音。愚谓咳嗽，因于湿者，湿为重浊之
邪，以麦冬能腻隔，势必湿热壅滞、肺失清肃。肺为声音门户，金实则无声也。
〔利〕甘、微寒、清心泻热、滋燥金而清水源。又为凉三焦次将，地黄车前为使，脉气
欲绝
者，加五味子、人参，三味合名生脉散，补中元气不足。（盖心主脉，肺朝百脉，补肺清心
，则气充脉复）。
〔修治〕浙产甚良，四月初采根栽，夏至前一日取根晒干，收之抽心用，不尔令人烦。
近时
多连心用。恐滑肠，用米炒黄。宁心，用辰砂少许拌。入丸散须瓦焙熟，即于风中吹冷，如
此三四次，即易燥而不损药力。（麦冬之功，在润燥，非在滋阴。盖肺热而喜润，故曰∶清
金保肺，肺与大肠相表里。故曰∶滑肠、泄泻者忌用。）
[Salvia Miltiorrhiza (Danshen)]
[Harm] Although it can nourish blood, it excels at promoting blood circulation. If menstruation occurs early, or if there is amenorrhea due to blood stasis without bleeding, or if blood deficiency fails to nourish the fetus leading to fetal restlessness, and also in cases where postpartum blood flow has already been smooth, Danshen must not be used. Violating this rule will result in the disaster of metrorrhagia and metrostaxis (non-menstrual heavy bleeding or prolonged spotting). In warm-heat diseases, when the pathogen is in the Qi level, mistaken use of Danshen will instead draw the pathogen into the Ying (Nutritive) level; one must be extremely cautious. Long-term consumption often causes red eyes, suggesting its nature is actually hot. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it is slightly cold, which is likely erroneous. Pregnant women without specific indications, and individuals with Yin deficiency, should avoid using it.
[Benefit] Bitter, slightly cold, enters the Heart channel governing blood. It removes blood stasis and generates new blood, calms the spirit and nourishes Yin, stabilizes a living fetus, and expels a dead fetus. It is needed for conditions before and after childbirth, leukorrhea, and metrorrhagia.
[Processing] Those produced in the North are superior. Roots are harvested in May and sun-dried. They may be stir-fried with pig heart blood or stir-fried with wine before use.
[Dry Longan Aril (Longyan Rou)]
[Benefit] Sweet, neutral. It tonifies Heart deficiency and enhances wisdom, harmonizes Stomach Qi to cultivate Spleen, eliminates fatigue and forgetfulness, and palpitations, calming the spirit to promote sound sleep. Daoists consume Dry Longan Aril by chewing thoroughly over a thousand grains, waiting until saliva fills the mouth, then swallowing mixed with saliva. This is the method of consuming "Yu Quan" (Jade Spring).
[Processing] Fruits ripen in July. Harvesting can begin after the White Dew solar term. Sun-dry and roast. When used raw, blanch in boiling water before eating to prevent damaging the Spleen. Remove the black shell from the seeds, grind into powder, and it can stop bleeding from traumatic injuries.
[Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong)]
[Harm] Its moistening nature moves the Spleen; those with loose stools should avoid it.
[Harm] Cold and moistening in nature; those with excess cold must not take it. All cases of deficiency-cold diarrhea, diarrhea caused by deficiency-cold in smallpox/variolous eruptions, and postpartum deficiency-cold diarrhea are contraindicated.
Xu Huixi, commenting on Ye Tianshi's medical records regarding consumptive cough, stated: "Maidong can close the Lung orifices, thereby causing loss of voice." I argue that if cough is caused by Dampness, which is a heavy and turbid pathogen, Maidong's cloying nature will inevitably lead to stagnation of Damp-Heat and loss of Lung's clear descending function. The Lung is the portal for voice production; when Metal (Lung) is full/excess, there is no voice.
[Benefit] Sweet, slightly cold. Clears Heat from the Heart and drains fire, moistens dry Metal (Lung) and clears the water source (Kidney). It serves as a secondary commander for cooling the Triple Burner. With Rehmannia Root (Dihuang) and Plantago Seed (Cheqianzi) as guides, when pulse Qi is about to cease, add Schisandra Berry (Wuweizi) and Ginseng Root (Renshen). These three herbs combined form Shengmai San (Generate the Pulse Powder), which tonifies insufficient Yuan Qi in the Middle Jiao. (Since the Heart governs the vessels and the Lung faces all vessels, tonifying the Lung and clearing the Heart replenishes Qi and restores the pulse.)
[Processing] Those produced in Zhejiang are excellent. Rhizomes are planted in early April. On the day before Summer Solstice, harvest roots, sun-dry, and store. Remove the core for use; otherwise, it causes irritability. Recently, many use it with the core intact. To prevent slippery intestines, stir-fry with rice until yellow. For calming the Heart, mix with a small amount of Cinnabar (Chensha). For pills and powders, roast in earthenware until cooked, cool in the wind, repeat this process three or four times to ensure dryness without damaging medicinal potency. (The efficacy of Maidong lies in moistening dryness, not in nourishing Yin. Since Lung heat prefers moisture, it is said: "Clear Metal and protect the Lung." As the Lung and Large Intestine are exterior-interior paired, it is said: "Contraindicated for those with slippery bowels and diarrhea.")