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[Flavor and Nature]
Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. It is a drug of Yin within Yang, entering the Qi level of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.

[Indications]
Rapid breathing and asthma due to Lung Qi deficiency. Clears heat. Unblocks Kidney Qi. Calms the Heart and anchors the Spirit. Moistens the Five Zang organs. Strengthens the bone marrow. Treats blood-heat invading the Lungs. Moistens dryness in the Large and Small Intestines. For patients suffering from the "Five Deficiencies" (Wu Xu) accompanied by heat, it is appropriate to add this herb, taking advantage of its cold nature which can also tonify. Patients with Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold are forbidden to take it, because its nature specializes in draining rather than astringing, and its efficacy only excels in treating Lung heat. Furthermore, its efficacy excels in the Blood level because it stabilizes Lung Qi, allowing the bitter flavor to drain stagnant blood and the sweet flavor to assist Yuan Qi, preventing blood-heat from invading the Lungs and causing hemorrhage or reckless bleeding.

[Flavor and Nature]
Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. Slightly Yin within Yang. Descending in action. Enters the Qi level of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian.

[Indications]
Heaviness of the body, yellowing of the eyes. Fullness and distension under the heart. Deficiency labor with lingering heat. Dry mouth and thirst. Consolidates Yin, benefits essence. Disperses latent fire in the Lungs. Tonifies insufficiency of Heart Qi. The pulse represents human Yuan Qi. Sun Simiao used Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong, 麦冬) in Shengfei San to moisten dry Metal (Lung) and clear the water source (Kidney). Assisted by the sweet-cold Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) to drain fire-heat, and the sour-warm Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit) to drain Bing Fire (Heart/Small Intestine Fire). Therefore, for those with excessive fire and robust Qi, Ophiopogonis Radix is the counter-agent for tonifying marrow, unblocking Kidney Qi, and smoothing/moistening the body surface. Those with weak Qi and cold Stomach should not overdose on it.

(When harvested, split open with a copper knife, remove the core, mix with wine and steam, then dry in the sun.)

[Flavor and Nature]
Acrid, cold, non-toxic. Slightly Yang within Yin. Enters the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian and Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.

[Indications]
Eliminates hard masses (Zheng Jian) and blood stasis lodging in the intestines and stomach. Treats cold-blood and blood-qi disorders in women. Expels pus, unblocks menstruation. Cools bone-steaming tidal fever. "Dan" refers to red color, associated with Fire. Thus, it can drain fire from the Yin Palace (Uterus/Lower Jiao). It is used in Shenqi Wan to treat insufficiency of Spirit and Qi. It is used in Xijiao Dihuang Tang to treat accumulation of blood in the intestines and stomach, as well as hematemesis and epistaxis. Aversion: (Fritillariae Bulbus [Beimu], Rheum Radix et Rhizoma [Dahuang], Cuscutae Semen [Tusizi]). Taboo: (Coriandri Fructus [Husu], Allii Sativi Bulbus [Suan]).

[Flavor and Nature]
Acrid, warm, non-toxic.

[Indications]
Postpartum syncope due to blood loss, lockjaw. Colicky pain caused by incomplete expulsion of lochia (evil blood) in the abdomen. Fetus dying in the womb. In large doses, it breaks up retained blood; in small doses, it nourishes blood. Moistens dryness, relieves pain. Dissolves swelling, unblocks collaterals. Blood is generated by the Pericardium, stored in the Liver, and governed by the Chong and Ren vessels. Honghua (Carthamus Flower) is similar to blood, thus it can circulate blood vessels in men and regulate menstruation in women. Its nature is bitter and warm, representing Yang within Yin, thus entering the Heart. It assists Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) in generating new blood. Being acrid and sweet, it is a drug for the Blood level of the Liver Meridian.