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Tianmendong (Asparagi Radix) Section

Bitter, sweet, neutral, extremely cold, non-toxic. Mainly treats various acute wind-dampness causing hemiplegic bi-syndrome (painful obstruction syndrome affecting one side of the body), strengthens bone marrow, kills three parasites (roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms), removes latent corpse-guan (ghostly afflictions), stabilizes Lung Qi, eliminates chills and fever, nourishes skin and flesh, supplements Qi and strength, promotes urination. Its nature is cold yet capable of tonification; long-term consumption lightens the body, supplements Qi, prolongs life, and reduces hunger. Also known as Dianle. Grows in high mountains and deep valleys of Fenggao. Roots are harvested in the second, third, seventh, and eighth months and dried in the sun. (Yuanyi [Moss on walls] and Dihuang [Rehmanniae Radix Preparata] act as its assistants; it fears Zengqing [Azurite].)

Tao Hongjing states: Fenggao is the name of a county below Mount Tai. It grows everywhere now, but those growing in high places with large roots and sweet taste are considered good. Zhang Hua's *Bowuzhi* (Insects and Animals) states: Tianmendong has reverse thorns if stroked against the grain. If the leaves are smooth, it is called "Xiu," also known as Dianji. It can be used to wash silk, making it white as velvet (pronounced 'Yue' similar). People in Jincheng call it Huancao (Washing Grass). Break its root, knead it in warm water, and it cleans clothes better than ash lye. This is not Tianmendong, merely similar. According to this description, what people harvest now are all thorny ones, originally named Dianle, which is roughly similar and cleans dirty clothes well. *Tongjun Yaolu* further states: Leaves have thorns, grows as vines, flowers white in the fifth month, bears black fruit in the tenth month, roots connect in dozens. Such differences are confusing, and there seems to be no other Tianmendong; perhaps Tianmendong is a specific type, not identical to Huancao? There is also Baibu (Stemonae Radix), whose roots are similar, but the seedlings differ. After steaming Tianmendong and peeling off the skin, eating it is very sweet and delicious, stopping hunger. Even when dried, it remains oily and hard to grind; it must be sliced thinly, dried in the sun, or roasted over fire. Laypeople call its seedlings Ji Ci (Thorny Stems); boiled into a drink, it is suitable for consumption, but ultimately not true Ji Ci. When consuming Tianmendong, carp must be avoided. *Tang Ben Zhu* notes: There are two types; those with thorny and astringent seedlings, and those with smooth, thornless seedlings, are both Mendong. Commonly called Dianci or Huancao, their shapes are obscure. Although given several names, they are ultimately one substance. Both roots clean dirt effectively; Mendong and Huancao share names. Currently examining Chen Cangqi's *Bencao*: Tao Hongjing said Baibu roots are similar, differing only in seedlings. Examining Tianmendong, roots have over ten stems; Baibu has many, up to fifty or sixty stems. Baibu roots are long, pointed, hollow inside, and bitter. Tianmendong roots are round, short, solid, moist, and sweet-tasting, different from Baibu; their vines also differ. As Tao described, they are of the same category. Some people today mistake Mendong for Baibu, an unclear statement. Ministers Yuxi et al. respectfully cite *Erya*: Qiangmi is Mendong. The annotation says: Mendong, also named Mandong. (Pronounced 'Men'). *Baopuzi* states: Also named Dimendong, or [Name]mendong, or Dianji, or Yinyangshi, or Guansong. Those growing in high places with short roots, sweet taste, and fragrant aroma are superior. Those growing by water or in low lands have fine, yellowish leaves resembling Yun, long roots, bitter taste, and foul odor; these are inferior. They can also be consumed, but they tend to direct Qi downward, and their benefits are slow. After one hundred days of consumption, physical strength doubles, faster than Shu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) and Huangjing (Polygonati Rhizoma). In the mountains, one can steam them; if boiled and eaten, they suffice to stop grain intake; if resources allow, they can be ingested. They can also be made into powders, or crushed to extract juice for consumption; powders are particularly beneficial. *Yaoxing Lun* states: Tianmendong is the Sovereign herb. It mainly treats Lung Qi rebellious coughing, rapid panting, clears heat, unblocks Kidney Qi. Treats lung diseases, abscesses with pus expectoration, damp scabies, stops thirst-wasting (Xiaoke), removes heat-induced stroke, suitable for long-term use. Boiled and eaten, it makes skin and body smooth and glossy, removes all evil qi and impure diseases from the body, whitening the complexion. People in Shu use it to wash clothes until jade-like; combined with Dihuang as an assistant, it resists aging, prevents hair whitening, provides cold tonification, and is added for patients with deficiency-heat. Yang Sunzhi states: If Tianmendong is taken and carp is mistakenly eaten causing poisoning, Pingsyou (Lemnae Herba) resolves it. Rihuazi states: Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus) acts as its assistant. Calms the Heart, moistens the Five Viscera, benefits skin, enhances complexion, tonifies the Five Exhaustions and Seven Injuries, treats Lung Qi issues and coughing, resolves phlegm, wind-bi, toxic heat wandering wind, irritability, vomiting blood; remove the heart before use.

*Tujing* states: Tianmendong grows in high mountains and deep valleys of Fenggao, now found everywhere. Spring brings vine growth, thick as hairpins, reaching over a zhang high. Leaves resemble fennel, sharp, thin, sparse, and smooth, with reverse thorns; some are astringent and thornless. Their leaves resemble silk fir, fine and scattered, all named Tianmendong. Summer brings white flowers, sometimes yellow. Autumn bears black seeds near the root branches. After entering the Dog Days, flowers cease, and seeds form secretly. Roots are white or yellow-purple, finger-thick, two to three cun long; larger ones are better, somewhat resembling Baibu roots, but round, solid, and longer, with ten to twenty clustered together. Roots are harvested in the second, third, seventh, and eighth months, split into four, hearts removed, steamed for half a meal time, then dried. If stored long, they become moist again. For medicinal use, re-roast until dry. Those from Luozhong have large leaves and coarse stems, quite dissimilar. Those from Lingnan have no flowers; otherwise, no difference. Respectfully noting Tianmendong aliases: *Erya* calls it Mi (cut sound 'Wangbi'), also named [Name]dong. *Shanhaijing* states: On Tiao Valley Mountain, herbs include many Peony, [Name]dong is one. *Baopuzi* and *Shenxian Fushi Fang* state: Tianmendong, alias Dianji. In the Eastern Peak named Yinyangshi; Central Peak named Tianmendong; Western Peak named Guansong; Northern Peak named Wubuyu; Southern Peak named Baibu; Jinglu Mountains named Dianji. Though found everywhere, names vary, but substance is one; those in the shade of the Northern Peak are best. To consume, slice finely, dry in shade, grind and sieve, mix with wine, take three qianbi doses, five or six times daily. Effects seen after two hundred days; strengthens sinews and marrow, preserves complexion. Combined with refined pine resin and honey pills is especially good. Consumers must not eat carp. This formula uses Dianji as an alias, while Zhang Maoxian considers it a different species. *Bowuzhi* states: Tianmendong stems have thorns, and if leaves are smooth, it is called "Xiu," alias Dianshao, roots used to wash silk white. Yue people call it Huancao, similar to Tianmendong but not so. Anyone taking this should first test washing clothes as described; if it works, it is not Tianmendong. If as described, thorny with smooth leaves, it is unsuitable for consumption. However, what exists now is often such types; users must examine carefully.

Lei Gong states: Upon harvesting, remove the outer skin layer, split open, remove the heart, use a willow wood steamer, burn willow wood fuel, steam for one shichen (two hours), sprinkle wine evenly, add fire and steam again, take out and dry, place on a small stand two chi above ground,铺 Tianmendong leaves, spread the steamed Tianmendong to dry for use. *Shiliao* tonifies deficiency and exhaustion, treats pulmonary tuberculosis (Feilao), stops thirst, removes wind-heat. Peel and remove heart, cook with honey, take after meals. If dried, honey pills are excellent. Also good for face washing. *Waitai Miyao*: Treats wind-manic conditions pulling hypochondriac pain, vomiting upon attack, tinnitus like cicadas. Remove heart and skin of Tianmendong, dry, grind and sieve, take one fangcunbi dose with wine. Long-term consumption can also lead to longevity. *Jingyan Houfang*: Method of taking Tianmendong: Any amount, remove heart and skin, make into powder, take one fangcunbi dose, three to four times daily without interruption, very beneficial, taken with wine. Also treats Zhengjia accumulation masses, removes three corpses, lightens body, supplements Qi, prolongs life and old age, protects against hundred diseases. Sun Simiao's *Zhenzhong Ji*: Tianmendong powder, take one fangcunbi dose, three times daily. Whether in mountains or among men, never neglect; long-term use is beneficial. If brewed into wine and taken, removes Zhengjia accumulation masses, wind-phlegm mania, three parasites and latent corpses, removes epidemic bi-syndrome, lightens body, supplements Qi, prevents hunger, restores youth and resists aging after one hundred days. *Xiuzhen Mizhi Shenxian*: Consume thirty jin of Tianmendong, slice finely, dry in shade, grind to powder. Take three qian per dose, mixed with wine, five to six times daily. After two hundred days, feel comfortable and relaxed; stiffness eases, weakness strengthens; after three hundred days, body feels light; after three years, run as fast as galloping horses. *Daoma Ba Di Shenghua Jing*: To fear not the cold, take equal parts Tianmendong and Fuling (Poria) as powder. Take one fangcunbi dose, twice daily. In extreme cold, sweat in single clothing.

*Baopuzi* states: Du Ziwei consumed Tianmendong, managed eighty households outside, had one hundred forty sons, walked three hundred li daily. *Liexian Zhuan*: Chidingzi ate Tianmendong, lost teeth grew back, fine hair regrew. *Shenxian Zhuan*: Gan Shi, from Taiyuan, consumed Tianmendong, lived among humans for over three hundred years.

*Yanyi* states: Tianmendong belongs to the category of Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix). Although it says to remove the heart, soak in water, drain, ensure uniform moisture penetration into the flesh, wait until soft, slowly tear apart to remove the heart; do not soak until lipid fluids leach out. Those who do not know this soak it in hot water for one or two hours; though soft, all flavor and aroma are lost. Using it yields no effect, then they say the medicine is not miraculous; how can this be? Its merit in treating Lung Heat is significant. Its taste is bitter, but it specifically drains rather than astringes; those with excessive cold must avoid it. Rest follows the two classics.