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[Flavor and Nature] Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats qi stagnation in the chest and abdomen, internal injury to the spleen and stomach, gastric meridian qi interruption caused by overeating, emaciation, and shortness of breath. Long-term consumption makes the body feel light, delays aging, and prevents hunger.

(Mai Dong [Ophiopogon tuber], the ancient character for "men" (door/gate) resembles vines that are continuous and unbroken. It originally grew in the Hangu Pass and valleys. Its leaves resemble fine grass; it does not die even in deep winter. The roots are yellowish-white, hollow in the center, with vines that attract and connect to each other. In ancient times, it was wild and resembled wheat grains, hence the name "Mai Dong" (Wheat Winter). Now, it is cultivated in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. One plant grows horizontally, with root tubers connected. There may be twelve tubers, or fourteen to fifteen. This is because the collaterals of the Hand and Foot Three Yang and Three Yin meridians total twelve. Adding the Wei Yi acupoint of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and the Chang Qiang acupoint of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel), there are fourteen. Adding the large collateral of the Spleen, there are fifteen. This natural property of the herb corresponds to the human body. Only sages can perceive this. Therefore, Mai Dong is used to unblock collaterals. The original text contains no mention of "removing the heart." Later generations, failing to understand the scriptural meaning and not exploring the physical principles of the herb, have long followed the practice of removing the heart. This is now corrected.)

Mai Dong has a sweet and neutral flavor and a moistening nature. It remains green in winter, having likely absorbed the essence of Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) winter water, and combines upward with Yangming (Bright Yang) stomach earth. To treat qi stagnation in the chest and abdomen: Mai Dong grows horizontally, capable of distributing stomach qi to the four peripheries, thereby dispersing stagnation from the heart above to the abdomen below. "Shang Zhong" (Injury to the Middle) refers to disharmony of the meridians and deficiency of middle qi internally. "Shang Bao" (Injury from Overeating) refers to dietary irregularity causing stagnation of stomach qi. Mai Dong absorbs the qi of Shaoyin Gui Water and combines upward with Yangming Wu Earth; thus, it treats Shang Zhong and Shang Bao. The great collateral of the Stomach connects internally to the vessels. "Wei Luo Mai Jue" (Interruption of Stomach Collateral Qi) means the stomach collaterals do not connect to the vessels. Mai Dong's tubers are segmented and hollow, growing horizontally in the soil, connected but unbroken; thus, it treats the interruption of stomach collateral qi. Deficiency of the Stomach leads to emaciation; deficiency of the Kidney leads to shortness of breath. Mai Dong assists the Stomach and tonifies the Kidney; thus, it treats emaciation and shortness of breath. Long-term consumption strengthens the physique, resulting in a light body; sufficient spirit results in delayed aging and absence of hunger.

[Flavor and Nature] Bitter in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats various sudden rheumatic wind bi syndromes causing hemiplegic obstruction, strengthens the bone marrow, kills three types of parasites, and removes Fu Shi (hidden corpses/latent pathogens). Long-term consumption makes the body light, benefits qi, extends life, and prevents hunger.

(Tian Dong [Asparagus tuber], also known as Tian Ji (Heavenly Thorn) or Dian Ji (Peak Thorn). It originally grew in Feng Gao Mountain Valley. This mountain is the highest, reaching up to the sky, hence named Tian (Heaven) and Dian (Peak). The vines spread and extend, and the stems have slight thorns, hence named Ji (Thorn). The roots are white or yellow-purple, soft, moist, and juicy, two to three cun long. One cluster has one to twenty tubers, resembling Bai Bu (Stemona root).)

Tian Dong: *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* states the flavor and nature are bitter and neutral. *Mingyi Bielu* states sweet and cold. When newly unearthed, the taste is slightly bitter; when dried, it becomes slightly sweet. It is cold in nature, non-toxic, and rich in oil. Originally growing in high mountains, it likely absorbed the qi of cold water and connects upward to heaven, hence the name Tian Dong. To treat various sudden rheumatic wind bi syndromes: This refers to rheumatic wind pathogenic factors suddenly attacking the body, resulting in hemiplegic bi obstruction. Tian Dong, absorbing the qi of heaven and water, circulates and operates in a ring, thus it can treat this condition. To strengthen the bone marrow: It obtains the essence of cold water. To kill three parasites and remove Fu Shi: This is due to the yin qi of water connecting upward to heaven. When water qi connects to heaven, heavenly qi descends. Thus, the three parasites in the soil and the Fu Shi beneath the springs are all killed and removed. The Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridian is the master qi of all yang meridians; thus, long-term consumption lightens the body and benefits qi. Heavenly qi penetrates into the earth; thus, it extends life and prevents hunger.

Fu Shi refers to Chuan Shi Gui Zhu (transmitted corpse ghost disease), i.e., ghosts of corpses beneath the springs, which cause illness through yin. Tian Dong can stimulate the generating yang within water and connect upward to heaven; thus, it removes Fu Shi.

Tian Dong and Mai Dong both absorb the essence of Shaoyin water. Mai Dong absorbs water essence and connects upward to the Yangming meridian. Tian Dong absorbs water essence and connects upward to the Taiyang meridian. Winter governs closure and storage; "Men" (gate) governs opening and turning. Both are named "Dong Men" (Winter Gate) because they can open closure and storage and ascend. Later scholars proposed that Tian Dong has "tonification within purgation" and Mai Dong has "purgation within tonification." It is unknown where this was derived from; it is truly laughable.