气平。味苦。无毒。主诸暴风湿偏痹。强骨髓。杀三虫。去伏尸。久服轻身益气
。延年不饥。（去心）
天门冬气平。禀天秋平之金气。入手太阴肺经。味苦无毒。得地寒凉之火味。入手少阴
心经
。气味俱降。阴也。其主暴风湿偏痹者。燥者濡之。热者清之。着者润之也。盖风本阳邪。
风湿偏痹。发之以暴。暴病皆属于火也。骨属肾。肾属水。天冬气平益肺。肺金生水。故骨
髓强也。三虫伏尸。皆湿热所化。味苦可以祛湿。气平可以清热。湿热下逐。三虫伏尸皆去
也。久服益肺。肺清则气充。故益气。气足则身轻。气治则延年。气满则不饥也。
制 方:
天冬同麦冬、五味煎膏。治消渴。同生地、人参。滋养阴血。同生地、麦冬丸。煎逍遥
散下
。治妇人骨蒸。同生地、麦冬、白芍、鳖甲、牛膝、杜仲、续断、童便。治吐血。
气平。味甘。无毒。主心腹结气。伤中伤饱。胃络脉绝。羸瘦短气。久服轻身。
不老不饥。（去心）
麦冬气平。禀天秋平之金气。入手太阴肺经。味甘无毒。得地中和之土味。入足太阴脾
经。
气降味和。阴也。心腹者。肺脾之分。结气者。邪热之气结也。其主之者。麦冬甘平。平能
清热。甘缓散结也。中者阴也。伤中者阴伤也。甘平益阴。故主伤中。脾为胃行津液者也。
脾血不润。则不能为胃行津液。而伤饱之症生矣。味甘而润。滋养脾血。故主伤饱。脉者血
之府。胃与脾合。胃络脉绝者。脾血不统。脉络不与胃相接也。甘润养阴。所以续脉。脾主
肌肉。而禀气于胃。脾阴不润。则肌肉不长。而胃气上逆。肺亦能呼不能吸。而气短促矣。
麦冬味甘益脾。故主羸瘦。气平益肺。故主短气也。久服肺气充。所以身轻。脾血润。所以
不老不饥也。
制 方:
麦冬同川连。治消渴饮水。同甘草、粳米、大枣、竹叶。治劳气欲绝。同乌梅。治下利
口渴
。同人参、北味、杞子。治虚热病暑。同沙参、北味。治心肺虚热。
[Tian Dong (Asparagi Radix)]
Nature: Neutral. Flavor: Bitter. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats various sudden-onset wind-dampness hemiplegic bi-syndrome (painful obstruction syndrome with hemiplegia), strengthens bone marrow, kills three parasites, eliminates corpse-gathering parasites, and with long-term use, lightens the body, benefits qi, prolongs life, and prevents hunger. (Remove the heart).
Tian Dong has a neutral nature, inheriting the metallic qi of autumn's equilibrium from Heaven, entering the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. It has a bitter flavor and is non-toxic, obtaining the fire flavor of earth's cold and cool properties, entering the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. Both its nature and flavor are descending; it is Yin. Its treatment of sudden-onset wind-dampness hemiplegic bi-syndrome follows the principles: moisten dryness, clear heat, and lubricate stagnation. Wind is originally a Yang pathogen. Sudden-onset wind-dampness hemiplegic bi-syndrome arises abruptly; all sudden diseases belong to Fire. Bones belong to the Kidney, and the Kidney belongs to Water. Tian Dong's neutral nature benefits the Lung; Lung Metal generates Water, thus strengthening bone marrow. The three parasites and corpse-gathering parasites are all transformed from damp-heat. The bitter flavor can dispel dampness, and the neutral nature can clear heat. As damp-heat is driven downward, the three parasites and corpse-gathering parasites are eliminated. Long-term use benefits the Lung; when the Lung is clear, qi becomes abundant, thus benefiting qi. When qi is sufficient, the body feels light; when qi is regulated, life is prolonged; when qi is full, one does not feel hungry.
Preparation Methods:
Decoct Tian Dong together with Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) into an ointment to treat Xiao Ke (Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome). Combine with Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) and Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) to nourish Yin and blood. Form pills with Sheng Di Huang and Mai Dong, taken with Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) to treat Gu Zheng (Bone-steaming fever) in women. Combine with Sheng Di Huang, Mai Dong, Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Bie Jia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum), Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex), Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix), and Tong Bian (Child's Urine) to treat Hematemesis (Vomiting Blood).
[Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix)]
Nature: Neutral. Flavor: Sweet. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Mainly treats knotting qi in the heart and abdomen, injury to the middle and overeating, severance of stomach collaterals and vessels, emaciation and shortness of breath, and with long-term use, lightens the body, prevents aging, and prevents hunger. (Remove the heart).
Mai Dong has a neutral nature, inheriting the metallic qi of autumn's equilibrium from Heaven, entering the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. It has a sweet flavor and is non-toxic, obtaining the earthy flavor of earth's neutrality and harmony, entering the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. Its nature is descending and its flavor is harmonious; it is Yin. The heart and abdomen are the domains of the Lung and Spleen. Knotting qi refers to the knotting of pathogenic heat qi. Its treatment relies on Mai Dong being sweet and neutral; neutrality can clear heat, and sweetness can gently dissipate knots. The "middle" refers to Yin. Injury to the middle means injury to Yin. Sweet and neutral tonifies Yin, thus treating injury to the middle. The Spleen transports fluids for the Stomach. If Spleen blood is not moistening, it cannot transport fluids for the Stomach, leading to symptoms of injury from overeating. Being sweet and moistening, it nourishes Spleen blood, thus treating injury from overeating. Vessels are the residence of blood. The Stomach and Spleen combine. Severance of stomach collaterals and vessels means Spleen blood fails to control, and vessels do not connect with the Stomach. Sweet and moistening nourishes Yin, thereby restoring the vessels. The Spleen governs muscles and receives qi from the Stomach. If Spleen Yin is not moistening, muscles do not grow, Stomach qi rebels upward, and the Lung can exhale but cannot inhale, resulting in shortness of breath. Mai Dong's sweet flavor benefits the Spleen, thus treating emaciation. Its neutral nature benefits the Lung, thus treating shortness of breath. With long-term use, Lung qi becomes abundant, hence the body feels light. Spleen blood becomes moistening, hence preventing aging and hunger.
Preparation Methods:
Combine Mai Dong with Chuan Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) to treat Xiao Ke (Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome) with excessive drinking water. Combine with Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Jing Mi (Oryza Sativa), Da Zao (Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus), and Zhu Ye (Bambusae Folium) to treat Lao Qi Yu Jue (Exhaustion of Vital Qi approaching collapse). Combine with Wu Mei (Mume Fructus) to treat Li Ji (Dysentery/Diarrhea) with thirst. Combine with Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Bei Wei (Schisandrae Fructus), and Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus) to treat Xu Re Bing Shu (Deficiency Heat during Summerheat Disease). Combine with Sha Shen (Glehniae Radix) and Bei Wei (Schisandrae Fructus) to treat Xin Lu Xu Re (Deficiency Heat of the Heart and Lung).