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[Classified as Upper Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*]
【Names】 Maidong (Maidong, "Dong" pronounced as "Men"),
Jiu (from *Wu Pu Bencao*)
Jieqian Cao (Grass before the steps)
Li Shizhen said: The awns of wheat are called "". This herb's root resembles that of wheat with awns, its leaves resemble those of Chinese chives (*Allium tuberosum*), and it does not wither in winter; hence it is called Maidong. It also has other names such as Zhufang and Rendong. Colloquially written as Mendong for convenience. It can be used for dietary consumption to abstain from grains (Bigu).
Also known as Pulei, also known as Suizhi.

【Collection and Explanation】 *Bielu* states: Maidong's leaves resemble those of Chinese chives, remaining evergreen in both winter and summer. It grows in the valleys of Hangu River and on the fertile soil and rocks of long-abandoned embankments.
The roots are harvested in February, March, August, and October, and dried in the shade.
Pu said: It grows in clusters in fertile mountain valleys, with leaves resembling Chinese chives and fruits that are greenish-yellow. It can be harvested at any time.
Hongjing said: Hangu refers to the Qin Pass. It is found everywhere, producing fruit like green pearls in winter. Roots harvested in April, with plump ones being superior.
Zangqi said: Those from Jiangning are small and moist; those from Xin'an are large and white. Its seedlings vary in size, some as large as deer onions, others as small as chive leaves, with three or four varieties having similar medicinal functions. Its seeds are round and dark green.
Song said: It is found everywhere. Leaves are green like sedge grass, growing over a foot long, never withering throughout the four seasons. Roots are yellowish-white with awns, shaped like linked beads. In April, it opens pale red flowers, resembling Polygonum multiflorum flowers. Fruits are dark green, round, and pearl-like. Those from Jiangnan have larger leaves.
Li Shizhen said: Ancients only used wild specimens. Later generations mostly used cultivated ones. The method is: harvest roots in early April, plant them in black loamy sandy soil. Apply fertilizer and weed/irrigate three times a year in June, September, and November. Harvest roots one day before Summer Solstice, wash, dry, and store. Seeds can also be planted, but growth is slower. Those from Zhejiang are of high quality; their leaves resemble chives but have more longitudinal veins and are tougher.

【Processing】 Hongjing said: For use, select plump roots, soak in decoction, remove the heart, otherwise it causes irritability. Generally, one jin requires removing four or five liang of the heart.
Li Shizhen said: For decoctions, moisten with boiling water, let sit briefly, then remove the heart; or bake on pottery until soft, remove the heart while hot. For pills and powders, bake on pottery until hot, then cool in the wind, repeating this three or four times to facilitate drying without damaging medicinal potency. Alternatively, soak in decoction, mash into paste, and mix with other herbs. For tonics, soak in wine and grind.

【Flavor and Nature】 Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. *Bielu* states: Slightly cold. Pu said: Shennong and Qibo considered it sweet and neutral; Huangdi, Tongjun, and Leigong considered it sweet and non-toxic; Li Dangzhi considered it sweet and slightly warm. Gao said: Sweet, slightly bitter, slightly cold, slightly yin within yang, possessing descending properties. Enters the Qi level of the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian.
Zhicai said: Dihuang and Cheqianzi serve as guides. Dislikes Kuandonghua and Kuhu. Feared by Kushen, Qingxiangzi, and Mu'er. Controlled by Shizhongru.

【Indications】 Knots and qi stagnation in the chest and abdomen, internal injury from overeating, exhaustion of stomach collateral vessels, emaciation and shortness of breath. Long-term use lightens the body, prevents aging, and reduces hunger (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Treats heaviness of the body and jaundice, fullness below the heart, deficiency heat from external pathogens, dry mouth and thirst, stops vomiting, cures flaccidity and paralysis, strengthens yin and benefits essence, aids digestion, regulates the middle, nourishes the spirit, stabilizes lung qi, calms the five zang organs, promotes robustness and beauty, and facilitates conception (*Bielu*). Clears heart heat, stops irritability and fever, treats fatigue from cold-heat alternations, and resolves phlegm-fluids (Zangqi). Treats five labors and seven injuries, calms the soul and魄, stops coughing, treats lung abscess with pus expectoration, and headache from epidemic heat madness (Daming). Treats severe edema from heat toxins, swelling of face, eyes, limbs, and joints, promotes urination, and manages seminal emission (Zhenquan). Treats latent fire in the lungs, supplements insufficient heart qi, manages reckless bleeding, amenorrhea, and lack of lactation (Yuansu). Long-term use lightens the body and improves vision. Combined with Cheqianzi and Dihuang pills, it removes warm miasma, whitens hair, and improves night vision (Zangqi). It is a key herb for grain abstinence.

【Elucidation】 Zong said: Maidong is particularly effective for clearing lung heat. Its bitter flavor focuses on draining rather than astringing; thus, it is contraindicated for those with excessive cold. It treats deficiency heat of the heart and lungs and deficiency labor. Combined with Dihuang, Ejiao, and Mahren, it forms a formula to moisten meridians, benefit blood, restore pulse, and unblock the heart; combined with Wuweizi and Gouqizi, it forms a formula to generate pulse.
Yuansu said: For Maidong treating latent fire in the lungs and impending collapse of pulse qi, adding Wuweizi and Renshen creates Shengmai San to supplement insufficient yuan qi in the lungs.
Gao said: During the sixth and seventh months, damp-heat is rampant. People suffer from bone weakness, heaviness, shortness of breath, dizziness, blurred vision, and even flaccidity. Therefore, Sun Simiao used Shengmai San to replenish primordial qi. Pulse refers to human yuan qi. Renshen's sweet-cold nature clears heat fire and benefits yuan qi. Maidong's bitter-cold nature moistens dry metal (lungs) and clears the water source. Wuweizi's sour-warm nature drains bing fire and supplements geng metal, benefiting the qi of all five zang organs.
Li Shizhen said: According to Zhao Jizong's *Ruyi Jingyao*: Maidong uses Dihuang as an assistant herb. Taking it prevents graying hair, supplements marrow, unblocks kidney qi, relieves panting, makes skin smooth, and eliminates all impure diseases caused by evil qi. This implies the presence of a sovereign and assistant relationship. Without an assistant, the sovereign herb acts alone and is ineffective. This formula is suitable only for those with excess fire and strong qi. It must not be taken by those with weak qi and cold stomach.

【Attached Formulas】 Three old formulas, nine new formulas. Maidong Decoction (Maidong Jian): Tonifies the middle, benefits the heart, enhances complexion, calms the spirit, boosts qi, and promotes robustness with rapid effect:
Take fresh Maidong roots, remove hearts, mash, and squeeze juice. Mix with white honey. Boil in a silver vessel over double-boiling heat, stirring constantly, until thick like malt syrup. Take dissolved in warm wine daily. (*Tujing Bencao*) For Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst) drinking water: Use two large liang of Shangyuan Banqiao Maidong (fresh and plump). Two large liang of Xuanzhou Huanglian (nine-joint type). Remove the tips of the three to five joints. Scrape off skin and hairs with a small knife, blow away dust, rub with raw cloth, and weigh. Mash into powder. Soak Maidong in juice from large bitter gourds overnight, then remove hearts. Mash in a mortar, mix with Huanglian powder, and form pills the size of wu zi (cherry pits). Take fifty pills after meals with water, twice daily. Thirst will stop within two days. For severe cases, take 150 pills initially, 120 on day two, 100 on day three, 80 on day four, and 50 on day five. Prepare medicine on a clear night during soaking. Keep in a clean place, avoiding exposure to women, chickens, and dogs. If symptoms improve, reduce to 25 pills daily. If feeling weak after taking, boil one cleaned sheep head in three dou of water until soft, extract one dou of juice, and drink slowly. Do not eat meat or add salt. Recovery occurs within three doses. (Cui Yuanliang *Haishang Jiyan Fang*)
For exhaustion leading to collapse: One qian Maidong, two liang Gancao (roasted), half he Jingsmi, two dates, fifteen bamboo leaves. Add two sheng of water, decoct to one sheng, divide into three doses. (*Nanyang Huoren Shu*)
For deficiency labor with external heat: Drink Maidong decoction frequently. (*Bencao Yan Yi*)
If ineffective: One jin Maidong (heart removed), mash to extract natural juice, add two he of honey, divide into two doses to stop symptoms. (*Huoren Xintong*)
For persistent epistaxis: Five qian Maidong (heart removed) and five qian Shengdihuang. Decoct in water and take to stop bleeding immediately. (*Baoming Ji*)
For bleeding from gum crevices: Rinse mouth with Maidong decoction. (*Lanshi Baojian*)
For sores in the throat due to deficiency heat attacking upward from spleen and lungs: One liang Maidong, half liang Huanglian. Make into powder, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of wu zi. Take twenty pills per dose, washed down with Maidong decoction. (*Puji Fang*)
For lack of lactation: Dry Maidong (heart removed) and make into powder. Take three qian each time, mix with approximately one qian of rhino horn ground in wine, take warm. Milk will flow within two doses. (*Xiongshi Buiyi*)
For dysentery with excessive thirst: Three liang Maidong (heart removed), twenty Wumei flesh pieces. Finely chop, add one sheng of water, decoct to seven he, sip slowly. (*Bixiao Fang*)
For toxicity from mineral drugs: Six liang Maidong, four liang Renshen, two liang Gancao (roasted). Make into powder, mix with honey to form pills the size of wu zi. Take fifty pills per dose with water, twice daily. (*Bencao Tujing*)
For blood deficiency in men and women: Three jin Maidong (juice boiled into paste) and three jin Shengdihuang (juice boiled into paste) in equal parts. Filter together, add one-quarter part honey, boil again, store in bottles. Take daily with plain hot water. Avoid ironware. (*Yifang Ju Yao*)