气寒，味苦甘，气薄味浓，升也，阴也，无毒。入手太阴足少阴之剂也。疗风淫湿痹，
补虚损劳伤。且强骨髓，润五脏，悦颜色，养肌肤。解渴除烦，消痰住嗽，保肺气不被热扰，
通肾气能除热淋。止血溢妄行，润粪燥闭结。同参 煎服，定虚喘促神方。和姜蜜熬膏，破
顽痰癖劫剂。与百协议用，能除肺痿。与片芩同用，能除肺痈。未溃用藕叶枳壳为佐，已破
用贝母白芷为辅。大要，苦能泄滞血，甘能助元气，寒能去肺热，此三者，天冬之功也。虚
热者用之，虚寒者禁忌，何也？盖味之苦者，但泄而不收故耳。予尝用天冬四两、生地六两，
将醇酒煮汁熬胶，入炼蜜四两，滚水调服，大补阴虚。入柿霜四两，大能止嗽。入枸杞四两，
治肾嗽神验。入阿胶一两
气平，味苦甘，气味俱薄，无毒，升也，阴中之阳也。治肺痿吐脓血，古人犀角地黄汤，
每用之以代犀角者，止是引地黄等药同入阳明耳。与葱白同用，则能引之以散手阳明之风邪。
与石膏同用，则能引之以止足阳明之头疼。补中益气汤用之，提元气从右而上。升麻葛根汤
用之，驱邪热从表而散。惟其能解脾胃肌肉间热，故能散手足阳明经邪。诸方书以为元气不
足者用之，阴中升阳，则谬矣。盖阳气下陷者，可升提之，若元气不足者，升之则下益虚，
而元气益不足矣。盐水浸炒，则提肾气。甘草汁制，则提脾胃之气。若痰壅气上有汗者，勿
用。
Tian Dong (Asparagi Radix):
The qi is cold, the taste is bitter and sweet. The qi is thin and the taste is strong; it ascends and belongs to Yin. It is non-toxic. It enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. It treats bi syndrome caused by wind and dampness pathogenic factors, and tonifies deficiency and damage from overwork. Furthermore, it strengthens bone marrow, moistens the five zang organs, beautifies the complexion, and nourishes the skin and muscles. It relieves thirst and eliminates irritability, resolves phlegm and stops coughing, protects Lung Qi from disturbance by heat pathogens, and unblocks Kidney Qi to eliminate painful urinary dysfunction with heat (Re Lin). It stops bleeding due to reckless flow and moistens dry stool constipation. Decocted and taken with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), it is a miraculous formula for stabilizing deficiency-type panting and shortness of breath. Boiled into a paste with Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and Fengmi (Honey), it is a potent agent for breaking stubborn phlegm masses. Used together with Baihe (Lilii Bulbus), it can treat Fei Wei (lung atrophy/withering). Used together with Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), it can treat Fei Yong (lung abscess). If not ulcerated, Ouye (Nelumbinis Folium) and Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) are used as assistant herbs; if ulcerated, Beimu (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus) and Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) are used as auxiliary herbs. Generally speaking, bitterness can drain stagnant blood, sweetness can assist primordial Qi, and coldness can remove Lung heat; these three aspects constitute the efficacy of Tian Dong. It is used for deficiency-heat conditions, but is contraindicated for deficiency-cold conditions. Why? Because bitter substances only drain and do not consolidate. I once used four liang of Tian Dong and six liang of Shengdi Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), boiled them in pure wine to extract the juice and boil it into a gelatin, added four liang of Lianmi (Refined Honey), and took it mixed with boiling water, which greatly tonified Yin deficiency. Adding four liang of Shishuang (Diospyri Fructus Frost) greatly stops coughing. Adding four liang of Gouqi (Lycii Fructus) is miraculously effective for treating Kidney-type cough. Adding one liang of Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini)
Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma):
The qi is neutral, the taste is bitter and sweet. Both qi and taste are thin. It is non-toxic. It ascends and belongs to Yang within Yin. It treats Fei Wei (lung atrophy/withering) with expectoration of pus and blood. In ancient times, Xijiao Dihuang Tang (Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction) used Sheng Ma to replace Rhinoceros Horn, merely to guide Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) and other herbs to enter the Yangming Meridian. When used with Congbai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus), it guides the action to disperse Wind pathogens of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. When used with Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), it guides the action to stop headache of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. In Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction), it is used to lift Primordial Qi upward from the right side. In Shengma Gegen Tang (Cimicifuga and Pueraria Decoction), it is used to drive away pathogenic heat so it disperses from the exterior. Precisely because it can resolve heat between the Spleen and Stomach and the muscles, it can disperse pathogens of the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians. Many medical texts claim that it should be used when Primordial Qi is insufficient, stating that it lifts Yang from Yin; this is erroneous. Generally, if Yang Qi has sunk, it can be lifted; however, if Primordial Qi is insufficient, lifting it will cause further deficiency in the lower part, making Primordial Qi even more insufficient. Soaked and stir-fried with salt water, it lifts Kidney Qi. Processed with Licorice juice, it lifts Spleen and Stomach Qi. If there is phlegm obstruction with rebellious Qi and sweating on the upper body, it should not be used.