Library

Menshen Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) grows in clusters like leeks. It remains green and lush throughout the winter. Its rootlets are interconnected, typically numbering twelve or fourteen to fifteen. This is the natural characteristic of this plant. The center of the root has connecting meridians and contains the most lipids. In ancient times, only wild Menshen Dong was used; its roots were fine, wrinkled, fragrant, and excellent, with superior efficacy.

[Root]
The flavor is sweet, neutral, and slightly bitter. The nature is slightly cold. It belongs to the category of Yang containing slight Yin. It directs Qi downward. It enters the Qi level of the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin. It also enters the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin and the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming. *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats knotting Qi in the chest and abdomen, injury to the middle and overeating, severance of the stomach collateral vessels, emaciation, and shortness of breath. Other materia medica texts state it restores the pulse and benefits the heart, moistens the meridians and nourishes blood, treats latent fire in the lungs, impending absence of pulse qi, deficiency-heat of the heart and lungs, as well as deficiency-labor and guest-heat, dry mouth and thirst, stops coughing, treats lung abscess with pus expectoration, cures flaccidity and ataxia, clears heart-heat, stabilizes insufficient heart-Qi, treats reckless bleeding, amenorrhea due to blood depletion, and lack of lactation. It strengthens Yin and benefits essence, stabilizes Lung Qi, tonifies the five Zang organs, and treats edema of the face, eyes, limbs, and joints caused by severe heat-toxin. Combined with Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Ejiao (Asini Corii Colla), and Mahren (Cannabis Semen), it forms a formula for moistening meridians, nourishing blood, restoring the pulse, and benefiting the heart. Combined with Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) and Gouqi (Lycii Fructus), it forms a formula for generating pulse Qi. (Cited from Zongshi)

Menshen Dong is white and enters the Lungs. Sweet and neutral, it enters the Spleen. With many vascular properties, it enters the Heart. Enduring winter, it enters the Kidneys. Promoting longevity, it enters the Liver. Although it is a good herb entering the five pulses, it must be used with differentiation. If there is guest-heat, combine with three qian of Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). For excessive phlegm, add Jili (Tribuli Fructus), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), and Wuweizi to stop seminal emission. Combined with Fuling (Poria), Cheqian (Plantaginis Semen), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), Zhuling (Polyporus), and Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), it treats knotting Qi in the chest and abdomen, heaviness of the body, and yellow eyes. Combined with Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Zhuye (Bambusae Folium), and Jingsmi (Oryzae Semen) to make a paste, it specifically treats epidemic headache, extreme thirst, irritability, and severe mania. Each ingredient should be used in several liang, decocted strongly, and taken in one dose. If the disease arises from labor-induced internal injury, Ginseng may be added according to the condition. If there is Lung-heat, it should not be included. Combined with Huanglian, it treats Xiaoke (Wasting-Thirst). Combined with Qinghao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba), Biejia (Trionycis Carapax et Plastrum), Dihuang, Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Tiandong (Asparagi Radix), Wuweizi, Gouqi, Hulan (Coptidis Rhizoma - note: likely referring to specific variety or typo in source, usually Huanglian/Hulian), Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), Fuling, and Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus) made into honey pills, it treats bone-steaming deficiency-heat.

[Discussion] Menshen Dong has a purely sweet flavor. Everyone says it enters the Lungs. Haicang (Zhang Yuansu) said that understanding the meaning of Cun Kou (radial pulse) allows one to comprehend that the Taiyang governing blood vessels is the Shaoyin organ within Yang, which is the transformation of True Yang combining with Grain Qi returning to the Lungs. These two energies cooperate to facilitate ascending. Based on the Two Yin reaching the Lungs as the root, heat becomes a disease, drying up True Yin, causing extreme thirst. Some ask about Er Dong (Winter Melon/Mondo). Regarding the equal efficacy of Er Dong and Menshen Dong in treating deficiency-labor: because Menshen Dong is moist, greasy, and sweet, harmonizing Earth and Water, the pulse Qi flows through the meridians, meridian Qi returns to the Lungs to converge on all vessels. Generally, when lower Jiao Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency generates heat, this heat refers to deficiency-heat of Original Yin. This leads to Yang hyperactivity. If one then administers Qinlian (Huangqin and Huanglian), it is unsuitable for its nature, returning Yin-dryness and penetrating pulse-wither. The soft and greasy nature opposes hyperactive Qi. If possessing extreme Yin endowment, harvesting roots at the appropriate time yields such results. Therefore, it is unsuitable for Upper Jiao Heart and Lungs. Zhongchun said: Patients...

[Processing] To restore the pulse, do not remove the heart. For pills and powders, it must be roasted on tiles until cooked, cooled, and repeatedly roasted and ground. Another method: pound extremely thin, sun-dry. Or stir frequently for a long time, clarify, remove wine, sun-dry and store.