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[Classified as Upper Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
【Names】 Tiandong (pronounced "men"), Dianle.
Tao Hongjing stated: According to *Erya*, "Qiangmi is Tiandong." The annotation says: also called Mendong, another name is Mandong. *Baopuzi* states: also named Dianji, or Didiandong, or Yanmendong. In the Eastern Mountain (Mount Tai), it is called Yinyanghuo; in the Central Mountain (Mount Song), it is called Tiandong; in the Western Mountain (Mount Hua), it is called Guansong; in the Northern Mountain (Mount Heng), it is called Wubuyu; in the Southern Mountain (Mount Heng), it is called Baibu; in the hills of Jinglu, it is called Dianji; among the Yue people, it is called Huancǎo. Although it grows everywhere, its names differ, but they are essentially the same plant. There is another herb called Baibu, whose roots gather in a bundle of about a hundred, while the seedlings are slightly different. Its seedlings resemble Bqia, and it can only treat coughs, not suitable for ingestion for health preservation; one must distinguish them.
Li Shizhen said: Where herbs grow luxuriantly, it is called "", commonly written as "men". This herb has lush vines, and its efficacy is similar to Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), hence called Tiandong, or sometimes Tianji. *Erya* states: "Mao is Dianji." Because its fine leaves resemble horsehair tails and have fine spines. "Dian" and "Tian" have similar pronunciations. According to *Jiu Huang Ben Cao*: commonly known as Wansui Teng, also called Suoluo Tree. Its shape and efficacy in treating the lungs are quite similar to Baibu, hence also named Baibu. Qiangmi is actually the seedling of Yingshi, and *Erya* referring to it as Tiandong is likely an error in ancient texts.

【Collection and Description】 *Bielu* states: Tiandong grows in the high mountains and deep valleys of Fenggao. Collect the roots in February, March, July, and August, and dry them in the sun.
Tao Hongjing said: Fenggao is the name of a county below Mount Tai. It is now found everywhere, with those growing on high ground, having large roots and sweet taste being the best. *Tongjun Yaolu* states: It grows as a vine, leaves have thorns, flowers are white in May, and fruits are black in October. Roots connect in clusters of dozens. Zhang Hua's *Bowuzhi* states: Tiandong stems have reverse thorns. If the leaves are smooth, it is called Tiyi, also named Dianji. Boiling its root allows one to wash silk fabrics, making them white as linen, belonging to the same category. Now, the Yue people call it Huancǎo, which is superior to using ash for washing. This is not true Tiandong, but merely similar. Note: This description confuses Tongjun's account. What people collect now are those with thorns, originally named Dianle, which are roughly similar. Using this to wash clothes makes them clean, eliminating the need for Tiandong. Perhaps Tiandong is a distinct species, or is it Huancǎo? There is also Baibu, whose roots are similar, but the seedlings differ.
Su Gong said: There are two types: one type has thorny and rough seedlings, the other has smooth and thornless seedlings; both are Tiandong. Those commonly called Dianji and Huancǎo refer to their appearance. Although there are several names, they ultimately refer to one thing. Both roots can clean dirt. Tiandong and Huancǎo are mutually named names. , pronounced "ming", refers to looking at it.
Su Song said: It grows everywhere. Vines sprout in spring, thick as hairpins, growing over a zhang high. Leaves resemble fennel, extremely sharp, fine, sparse, and smooth, with reverse thorns; some are rough and thornless, with leaves like silk fir, fine and scattered, all named Tiandong. Small white flowers bloom in summer, some yellow and purple. Black seeds form in autumn near the root branches. After entering the Dog Days, no flowers appear, but seeds form secretly. Roots are white or yellow-purple, finger-thick, round, solid, and two to three cun long; larger ones are better. A cluster contains ten to twenty roots, resembling Baibu roots. Those from Luocheng have large leaves and coarse stems, completely dissimilar. Those from Lingnan have no flowers, otherwise no difference.
Meng Xiao said: *Baopuzi* states: Growing on high ground, with short roots, sweet taste, and fragrant aroma is the best grade; growing by water in lowlands, with fine leaves resembling Yun and slightly yellow, long roots, bitter taste, and foul odor is the second grade. If used for ingestion, it promotes downward movement of Qi, but benefits are slow. One can steam and boil it in the mountains and eat it to stop eating grain. Or make it into powder, take juice to brew wine, and take the powder; this is excellent.
Li Shizhen said: When seedlings grow, it can also be planted by irrigating the soil. Seeds can also be planted, but they mature late.

Root
【Processing】 Tao Hongjing said: After collecting Tiandong, steam it, peel off the skin, and eat it. It is very sweet and delicious, stopping hunger. Even when dried, it remains oily and hard to grind; it must be sun-dried or baked by fire. People now call its seedlings Jici, boiling them as a drink suitable for humans, but it is not true Jici.
Su Song said: Collect roots in February, March, July, and August. Steam, peel, split into four parts, remove the heart, and dry for use.
Kou Zongshi said: After collecting, remove skin and heart. Steam in a willow wood steamer with willow wood fuel for a Fushi period (approx. 12 hours). Sprinkle wine evenly, then steam again with added fire. Place on a small架 2 chi above the ground, spread out, and dry for use.

【Flavor and Properties】 Bitter, neutral, non-toxic. *Bielu* states: Sweet, great cold.
Li Gao said: Cold in nature, slightly bitter and pungent in flavor. Thin Qi, strong Flavor, Yin within Yang. Enters the Qi aspect of the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.
Xu Zhicai said: Yuan Yi, Rehmanniae Radix (Dihuang), and Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu) act as guides. Feels adverse to Cingenti Fructus (Zengqing).
Sun Simiao said: When taking Tiandong, avoid carp. If poisoned by mistake, antidote with floating duckweed juice. Crushed juice can moderate Realgar (Xionghuang) and Cinnabar (Zhusha).

【Indications】 Various sudden wind-dampness hemiplegic bi-syndrome, strengthens bone marrow, kills three parasites, removes Fu Shi (hidden pathogenic factors). Long-term consumption lightens the body, benefits Qi, prolongs life, and suppresses hunger (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Secures Lung Qi, eliminates cold and heat, nourishes skin and flesh, promotes urination, cold in nature yet capable of tonification (*Bielu*). Treats Lung Qi rebellious cough,急促 wheezing, Lung萎 abscess with pus expectoration, clears heat, unblocks Kidney Qi, stops Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst), removes wind-heat stroke, treats damp scabies, suitable for long-term use. Boiled and eaten, it makes the body smooth, glossy, and white, removing all evil qi and unclean diseases from the body (Zhen Quan). Calms the Heart, moistens the Five Viscera, tonifies Wu Lao and Qi Shang (five exhaustions and seven injuries), treats hematemesis, treats cough and resolves phlegm, removes wind-heat and restlessness (Meng Xi). Mainly treats Heart disease, throat dryness and Heart pain, thirst with desire to drink, Wei Jue (flaccidity and weakness) with drowsiness, heat and pain under the feet (Li Gao). Moistens dryness, nourishes Yin, clears Metal and descends Fire (Li Shizhen). For impotence, suitable for regular use (Sun Simiao).

【Elucidation】 Zhen Quan said: Tiandong is cold yet capable of tonification. For patients with deficiency and heat, it should be added. Used with Rehmanniae Radix (Dihuang), it delays aging and prevents graying of hair.
Chen Cheng said: Its efficacy in treating Lung heat is prominent. Its bitter flavor specializes in draining rather than astringing; those with excessive cold should avoid it.
Zhang Yuansu said: Bitter drains stagnant blood, sweet assists Original Qi, and it treats reckless bleeding; these are the efficacies of Tiandong. Securing Lung Qi, treating Blood Heat invading the Lung, upper asthma and急促 breathing, add Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) and Astragali Radix (Huangqi) as main ingredients for miraculous effect.
Wang Jiamo said: Tiandong and Maidong both enter the Hand Taiyin Meridian, dispelling vexation, relieving thirst, stopping cough, and resolving phlegm. Maidong additionally traverses the Hand Shaoyin Meridian, clearing Heart heat and descending Fire, preventing the Lung from being invaded by pathogens, thus stopping cough immediately. Tiandong additionally traverses the Foot Shaoyin Meridian, nourishing the Kidney and assisting Yuan Qi, preserving the Mother Qi, thus having special merit in resolving phlegm. The Kidney governs Body Fluids; dryness causes condensation into phlegm, which transforms upon receiving moistening agents. This is the root of treating phlegm.
Li Gao said: Enters the Hand Taiyin and Foot Shaoyin Meridians. When Ying and Wei are withered and dry, moistening agents should be used. Tiandong, Maidong, Renshen, Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi), and Lycii Fructus (Gouqizi) together form the Shengmai Powder. This reflects the principle of focusing on the Cun position for the Upper Jiao.
Zhao Jizong said: Although these five herbs form the Shengmai Powder, Rehmanniae Radix (Di Huang) and Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu) are guides for Tiandong; Di Huang and Plantaginis Seed (Cheqianzi) are guides for Maidong; Poria (Fuling) is a guide for Renshen. If there is a Sovereign herb without Ministers, it acts alone without efficacy. Thus, in Zhang Sanfeng's and Minister Hu's longevity formula, Tiandong (3 jin) and Di Huang (1 jin) are used, ensuring there is both Sovereign and Minister.
Meng Xiao said: *Baopuzi* states: One can steam and boil Tiandong in the mountains and eat it to stop eating grain. If capable, ingest it, or take as powder/wine, or crush juice for liquid/paste. After 100 days, strength doubles, surpassing Atractylodis Rhizoma (Zhu) and Polygonati Rhizoma (Huangjing). After 200 days, tendons and marrow strengthen, complexion stays youthful. Taking it with refined Pine Resin and honey pills is especially good. Du Ziwei took it, had a household at age 80, lived to 140, walking 300 li daily.
Shen Wei said: *Lie Xian Zhuan* states: Chixu Zi ate Tiandong, lost teeth grew back, fine hair reappeared. Gan Shi from Taiyuan took Tiandong, lived over 300 years in the human realm. *Shenghua Jing* states: Mix Tiandong and Poria in equal parts, powder, take one Fangcun Bi daily. Then one fears no cold, sweating in single clothes even in severe cold.
Li Shizhen said: Tiandong clears Metal and descends Fire, benefits the upper source of Water, thus able to descend and unblock Kidney Qi. In tonifying formulas, combined with other herbs, it is effective. However, for those with Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold, long-term single use will cause loose bowels, becoming a chronic disease. This is because its nature is cold and moist, promoting bowel movement.

【Attached Prescriptions】 Three old, fifteen new.
Powder. Take one Fangcun Bi per dose, three times a day. Whether in mountains or cities, long-term use tonifies Middle and benefits Qi, treats deficiency labor and severe trauma, elderly decline, hemiplegia, wind-damp numbness, cold bi and malignant sores, carbuncles, and leprosy. For those with destroyed nasal bridge,服用 causes skin shedding and worms exiting. Brewed in wine, it removes masses and accumulations, wind-phlegm mania, three parasites and Fu Shi, removes damp-bi, lightens body and benefits Qi.
It is fragrant and beautiful, surpassing other wines. Avoid carp.
Take one Fangcun Bi per dose. Named Immortal Grain.
To stop grain-eating and prevent hunger: Tiandong 2 jin, Prepared Rehmanniae Radix (Shu Dihuang) 1 jin, powder, refine honey into pills the size of pellets. Dissolve three pills in warm wine per dose, three times a day. Good for mountain living and long travel, stopping grain-eating. After 10 days, body feels light and eyes bright; after 20 days, hundred diseases heal, complexion like flowers; after 30 days, white hair turns black, lost teeth regrow; after 50 days, speed matches galloping horses; after 100 days, prolongs life. Another method: Crush Tiandong for juice, simmer gently to obtain 5 dou, add 1 dou white honey, 2 sheng roasted Sesame Seed (Huma) powder, simmer until pillable, then stop fire. Add Soybean Husk Powder (Dadouhuangmo), mix into cakes 3 cun diameter, half cun thick. One cake per dose, three times a day, beneficial after 100 days. Another method: Tiandong powder 1 sheng, Pine Resin powder 1 sheng, wax and honey 1 sheng, simmer together, pill like wu zi. Take 30 pills morning, noon, and evening. Tiandong Wine, tonifies Five Viscera, regulates Six Fu, prevents illness: Tiandong 30 jin, remove heart, crush, boil in 2 dan water to obtain 1 dan juice, 1 dou glutinous rice, 10 jin fine yeast, brew normally. Drink three cups daily when ready. Tiandong Paste, removes masses and wind-phlegm, tonifies Lung, treats cough and hemoptysis, moistens Five Viscera, kills three parasites and Fu Shi, removes plague, lightens body and benefits Qi, prevents hunger: Soak Tiandong in running water, remove skin and heart, crush for juice. Boil in clay pot over medium-low charcoal fire, do not boil vigorously. Based on 10 jin raw material, reduce to 3 jin, then add 4 liang honey, boil until drops do not disperse. Store in bottle buried in earth for 7 days to remove fire toxicity. Take one spoon with plain water morning and evening. If it causes loose stools, take with wine. (*Yifang Jiangyao*)
Lung萎 cough with saliva foam, warm sensation in chest, dry throat without thirst: Fresh Tiandong (crushed juice) 1 dou, wine 1 dou, malt syrup 1 sheng, Asteris Radix (Ziwan) 4 he. Decoct in copper vessel until pillable. Take one pill the size of an apricot kernel per dose, three times a day. (*Zhouhou Fang*)
Yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity and phlegm, unsuitable for drying agents: Tiandong 1 jin (soaked in water, washed, remove heart, take 12 liang flesh, crush in stone mortar), Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi) (washed, remove core, take 4 liang flesh, sun-dry, avoid fire). Crush together into pills the size of wu zi. Take 20 pills with tea, three times a day. (*Jianbian Fang*)
[Wine preparation omitted in source text fragment] ... Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) 1 liang powder, steamed jujube flesh mixed, pill size wu zi. Take 30 pills before meals with warm wine, three times a day. (Jiegu *Huofa Jiyao*)
Deficiency labor with body pain: Tiandong powder, take one Fangcun Bi with wine, three times a day. Avoid carp. (*Qianjin Fang*)
Tiandong remove skin and heart, boil and eat. Or dry to powder, honey pills, especially good. Can also wash face. (Meng Xiao *Shiliao*)
Night sweats, dry mouth with desire to drink, asthma: Tiandong 10 liang, Maidong 8 liang (both remove heart, powder). Use fresh Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng Dihuang) 3 jin, extract juice, reduce to paste, mix and pill size wu zi. Take 50 pills, decoct Xiaoyao San minus Licorice Root (Gancao) as soup to swallow. (*Huofa Jiyao*)
Tinnitus like cicadas, pulling pain in costal region: Tiandong remove heart and skin, dry and crush to powder. Take one Fangcun Bi with wine, three times a day, long-term use is good. (*Waitai Miyao*)
Dark face made white: Tiandong dried, mixed with honey, crushed into pills. Use daily to wash face. (*Shengji Zonglu*)
Tiandong, Maidong (both remove heart), Scutellariae Radix (Xuan Shen) in equal parts. Powder, refine honey into pellet-sized pills. Hold one pill in mouth. This is a prescription passed down from monks' quarters. (Qi Dezhi *Waike Jingyi*)
If ineffective, take again and surely heal. This is an ancestral experience prescription. (Yu Tuan *Yixue Zhengzhuan*)