气味甘平，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。
（麦门冬，门古字从 ， ，藤蔓不绝也。始出函谷、川谷，叶如细 ，凌冬不死，根
色黄白，中心贯通，延蔓相引，古时野生，宛如麦粒，故名麦冬，今江浙皆莳植矣。一本横
生，根颗联系，有十二枚者，有十四五枚者。所以然者，手足三阳、三阴之络共有十二，加
任之尾翳，督之长强，共十四，又加脾之大络，共十五，此物性之自然而合于人身者也，唯
圣人能体察之，故用麦冬以通络脉，并无去心二字，后人不详经义，不穷物理，相沿去心久
矣，今表正之。）
麦门冬气味甘平，质性滋润，凌冬青翠，盖禀少阴冬水之精，上与阳明胃土相合。主治
心腹
结气者，麦冬一本横生，能通胃气于四旁，则上心下腹之结气皆散除矣。伤中者，经脉不和
，中气内虚也。伤饱者，饮食不节，胃气壅滞也。麦门禀少阴癸水之气，上合阳明戊土，故
治伤中、伤饱。胃之大络，内通于脉，胃络脉绝者，胃络不通于脉也。麦冬颗分心贯，横生
土中，连而不断，故治胃络脉绝。胃虚则羸瘦，肾虚则短气，麦冬助胃补肾，故治羸瘦
、短气。久服则形体强健，故身轻，精神充足，故不老不饥。
气味苦平，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。
（天门冬，一名天棘，又名颠棘。始出奉高山谷，此山最高，上奉于天，故名曰天、曰
颠。藤引蔓延，茎稍有刺，故名曰棘。其根白色或黄紫色，柔润多汁，长二三寸，一科一二
十枚，与百部相类。）
天门冬，《本经》言∶气味苦平。《别录》言∶甘寒。新出土时，其味微苦，曝干则微甘
也
。性寒无毒，体质多脂，始生高山，盖禀寒水之气，而上通于天，故有天冬之名。主治诸暴
风湿偏痹者，言风湿之邪，暴中于身，而成半身不遂之偏痹，天冬禀水天之气，环转营运，
故可治也。强骨髓者，得寒水之精也。杀三虫、去伏尸者，水阴之气，上通于天也，水气通
天，则天气下降，故土中之三虫，泉下之伏尸，皆杀去也。太阳为诸阳主气，故久服轻身益
气，天气通贯于地中，故延年不饥。
伏尸者，传尸鬼疰，泉下尸鬼，阴而为病也。天门冬能启水中之生阳，上通于天，故去
伏尸
天、麦门冬，皆禀少阴水精之气。麦门冬禀水精而上通于阳明。天门冬禀水精而上通于
太阳
。夫冬主闭藏，门主开转，咸名门冬者，咸能开转闭藏而上达也。后人有天门冬补中有泻，
麦门冬泻中有补之说，不知从何处引来，良可嗤也。
【气味】味甘，性平，无毒。主治心腹部的结聚之气，内伤脾胃，饮食过饱导致的胃络脉气绝断，身体消瘦、呼吸短促。长期服用可使人身体轻盈、延缓衰老，且不易感到饥饿。
（麦门冬，“门”字古体写作“門”，象征藤蔓连绵不绝。最初产于函谷关及山谷之中，叶片像细长的草，耐寒不死，根部颜色黄白，中心贯通，藤蔓相互牵引。古代为野生，形状宛如麦粒，所以叫麦冬，现在江浙地区都已人工种植了。一株横生，根块相连，有的有十二枚，有的有十四五枚。之所以如此，是因为手足三阳经和三阴经的络脉共有十二条，加上任脉的尾翳穴和督脉的长强穴，共十四条，再加上脾的大络，共十五条。这是药物的自然属性与人体经络相合的表现，只有圣人能体察到这一点，所以用麦冬来疏通络脉，原文并没有“去心”二字。后人不明经典本义，不探究事物物理，沿袭去除药心的做法已经很久了，现在在此予以纠正。）
麦门冬气味甘平，性质滋润，冬季依然青翠，大概禀受了少阴冬水的精气，向上与阳明胃土相结合。主治心腹部结聚之气的，是因为麦冬一株横生，能够疏通胃气向四周分布，那么上至心下至腹的结聚之气都能消散。所谓“伤中”，是指经脉不和，中气内部虚弱。所谓“伤饱”，是指饮食不节制，导致胃气壅滞。麦门冬禀受少阴癸水之气，向上结合阳明戊土，所以能治疗伤中和伤饱。胃的大络，内部连通于血脉；所谓的“胃络脉绝”，是指胃络不通连于血脉。麦冬根块分瓣、中心贯通，横向生长于土中，连接而不断裂，所以能治疗胃络脉绝。胃虚则身体消瘦，肾虚则呼吸短促，麦冬能辅助胃气并补肾，所以能治疗消瘦和短气。长期服用则形体强健，所以身体轻盈；精神充足，所以延缓衰老且不感饥饿。
【气味】味苦，性平，无毒。主治各种突发性的风湿引起的半身偏侧痹痛，强壮骨髓，杀灭三虫，去除伏尸。长期服用可使人身体轻盈、益气延年，且不感饥饿。
（天门冬，又名天棘，又名颠棘。最初产于奉高山谷，此山最高，上接于天，所以名叫天、名叫颠。藤蔓引伸蔓延，茎部稍有刺，所以名叫棘。其根白色或黄紫色，柔润多汁，长二三寸，一科有一二十枚，与百部相似。）
天门冬，《神农本草经》说：气味苦平。《名医别录》说：甘寒。新出土时，味道微苦，晒干后则微甘。性寒无毒，体质多油脂，起初生于高山，大概禀受了寒水之气，而上通于天，所以有天冬的名字。主治各种突发性的风湿偏痹的，是说风湿邪气突然侵袭身体，形成半身不遂的偏痹，天冬禀受天水之气，环转运行营运，所以可以治疗。强壮骨髓的，是得到了寒水的精气。杀灭三虫、去除伏尸的，是水阴之气上通于天，水气通天，则天气下降，所以土壤中的三虫，地下深处的伏尸，都被杀灭去除。太阳经是诸阳之主气，所以长期服用能轻身益气；天气贯通于地中，所以延年不饥。
所谓伏尸，是指传尸鬼疰，即泉下的尸鬼，属阴而导致疾病。天门冬能激发水中的生发阳气，上通于天，所以能去除伏尸。
天冬和麦冬，都禀受了少阴水的精气。麦门冬禀受水精而上通于阳明经。天门冬禀受水精而上通于太阳经。冬天主闭藏，门主开转，都称为“门冬”，都是能够开启闭藏而上达。后人有关于天门冬“补中有泻”、麦门冬“泻中有补”的说法，不知道是从哪里引来的，实在可笑。
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats qi stagnation in the chest and abdomen, internal injury to the spleen and stomach, gastric meridian qi interruption caused by overeating, emaciation, and shortness of breath. Long-term consumption makes the body feel light, delays aging, and prevents hunger.
(Mai Dong [Ophiopogon tuber], the ancient character for "men" (door/gate) resembles vines that are continuous and unbroken. It originally grew in the Hangu Pass and valleys. Its leaves resemble fine grass; it does not die even in deep winter. The roots are yellowish-white, hollow in the center, with vines that attract and connect to each other. In ancient times, it was wild and resembled wheat grains, hence the name "Mai Dong" (Wheat Winter). Now, it is cultivated in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. One plant grows horizontally, with root tubers connected. There may be twelve tubers, or fourteen to fifteen. This is because the collaterals of the Hand and Foot Three Yang and Three Yin meridians total twelve. Adding the Wei Yi acupoint of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) and the Chang Qiang acupoint of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel), there are fourteen. Adding the large collateral of the Spleen, there are fifteen. This natural property of the herb corresponds to the human body. Only sages can perceive this. Therefore, Mai Dong is used to unblock collaterals. The original text contains no mention of "removing the heart." Later generations, failing to understand the scriptural meaning and not exploring the physical principles of the herb, have long followed the practice of removing the heart. This is now corrected.)
Mai Dong has a sweet and neutral flavor and a moistening nature. It remains green in winter, having likely absorbed the essence of Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) winter water, and combines upward with Yangming (Bright Yang) stomach earth. To treat qi stagnation in the chest and abdomen: Mai Dong grows horizontally, capable of distributing stomach qi to the four peripheries, thereby dispersing stagnation from the heart above to the abdomen below. "Shang Zhong" (Injury to the Middle) refers to disharmony of the meridians and deficiency of middle qi internally. "Shang Bao" (Injury from Overeating) refers to dietary irregularity causing stagnation of stomach qi. Mai Dong absorbs the qi of Shaoyin Gui Water and combines upward with Yangming Wu Earth; thus, it treats Shang Zhong and Shang Bao. The great collateral of the Stomach connects internally to the vessels. "Wei Luo Mai Jue" (Interruption of Stomach Collateral Qi) means the stomach collaterals do not connect to the vessels. Mai Dong's tubers are segmented and hollow, growing horizontally in the soil, connected but unbroken; thus, it treats the interruption of stomach collateral qi. Deficiency of the Stomach leads to emaciation; deficiency of the Kidney leads to shortness of breath. Mai Dong assists the Stomach and tonifies the Kidney; thus, it treats emaciation and shortness of breath. Long-term consumption strengthens the physique, resulting in a light body; sufficient spirit results in delayed aging and absence of hunger.
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter in flavor, neutral in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats various sudden rheumatic wind bi syndromes causing hemiplegic obstruction, strengthens the bone marrow, kills three types of parasites, and removes Fu Shi (hidden corpses/latent pathogens). Long-term consumption makes the body light, benefits qi, extends life, and prevents hunger.
(Tian Dong [Asparagus tuber], also known as Tian Ji (Heavenly Thorn) or Dian Ji (Peak Thorn). It originally grew in Feng Gao Mountain Valley. This mountain is the highest, reaching up to the sky, hence named Tian (Heaven) and Dian (Peak). The vines spread and extend, and the stems have slight thorns, hence named Ji (Thorn). The roots are white or yellow-purple, soft, moist, and juicy, two to three cun long. One cluster has one to twenty tubers, resembling Bai Bu (Stemona root).)
Tian Dong: *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* states the flavor and nature are bitter and neutral. *Mingyi Bielu* states sweet and cold. When newly unearthed, the taste is slightly bitter; when dried, it becomes slightly sweet. It is cold in nature, non-toxic, and rich in oil. Originally growing in high mountains, it likely absorbed the qi of cold water and connects upward to heaven, hence the name Tian Dong. To treat various sudden rheumatic wind bi syndromes: This refers to rheumatic wind pathogenic factors suddenly attacking the body, resulting in hemiplegic bi obstruction. Tian Dong, absorbing the qi of heaven and water, circulates and operates in a ring, thus it can treat this condition. To strengthen the bone marrow: It obtains the essence of cold water. To kill three parasites and remove Fu Shi: This is due to the yin qi of water connecting upward to heaven. When water qi connects to heaven, heavenly qi descends. Thus, the three parasites in the soil and the Fu Shi beneath the springs are all killed and removed. The Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridian is the master qi of all yang meridians; thus, long-term consumption lightens the body and benefits qi. Heavenly qi penetrates into the earth; thus, it extends life and prevents hunger.
Fu Shi refers to Chuan Shi Gui Zhu (transmitted corpse ghost disease), i.e., ghosts of corpses beneath the springs, which cause illness through yin. Tian Dong can stimulate the generating yang within water and connect upward to heaven; thus, it removes Fu Shi.
Tian Dong and Mai Dong both absorb the essence of Shaoyin water. Mai Dong absorbs water essence and connects upward to the Yangming meridian. Tian Dong absorbs water essence and connects upward to the Taiyang meridian. Winter governs closure and storage; "Men" (gate) governs opening and turning. Both are named "Dong Men" (Winter Gate) because they can open closure and storage and ascend. Later scholars proposed that Tian Dong has "tonification within purgation" and Mai Dong has "purgation within tonification." It is unknown where this was derived from; it is truly laughable.