\r麦门冬\ph71.bmp\r，生亟谷川谷及堤 肥土石间久废处，今所在有之。叶青似莎草，
长及尺余，四季不
凋，根黄白色有须，根作连珠形，似 麦颗，故名麦门冬。四月，开淡红花，如红蓼花；实
碧而圆如珠。江南出者∶叶大者，苗如粗葱，小者如韭。大小有三、四种，功用相似，或云
吴地者尤胜。二月、三月、八月、十月采，阴干。亦堪单作煎饵之。取新根去心，捣熟，绞
取汁，和白蜜，银器中重汤煮，搅不停手，候如饴乃成，酒化温服之。治中益心，悦颜色，
安
神，益气，令人肥健，其力甚快。又主金石药发。麦门冬去心六两，人参四两，甘草二两炙
，三物下筛，蜜丸如梧子，日再饮下。又崔元亮《海上方》，治消渴丸云∶偶于野人处得，
神验不可言，用上元板桥麦门冬鲜肥者二大两，宣州黄连九节者二大两，去两头尖三、五节
，小刀子条理，去皮毛了净，吹去尘，更以生布摩拭，秤之，捣末，以肥大苦瓠汁浸麦门冬
，经宿，然后去心，即于臼中捣烂，即内黄连末臼中，和捣，候丸得，即并手丸大如梧子，
食后饮下五十丸，日再，但服两日，其渴必定。若重者，即初服药，每一服一百五十丸，每
二日服一百二十丸，第三日一百丸，每四日八十丸，第五日依本服丸。若欲合药，先看天气
晴明，其夜方浸药，切须净处，禁妇人、鸡犬见知，如似可，每日只服二十五丸。服讫觉虚
，即取白羊头一枚，净去毛，洗了，以水三大斗，煮令烂，去头，取汁可一斗以来，细细服
之，亦不着盐，不过三剂平复。
麦门冬，生长在亟谷川谷以及堤坝肥沃的土石间长期废弃的地方，现在各地都有出产。叶子青色像莎草，长达一尺多，四季不凋谢，根呈黄白色且有须，根部呈连珠状，形状像麦粒，所以得名麦门冬。四月时，开出淡红色的花，像红蓼花；果实碧绿圆润如珠子。江南出产的：叶子大的，苗像粗葱，小的像韭菜。大小有三四种，功效相似，有人说吴地产的尤其好。二月、三月、八月、十月采收，阴干。也可以单独制作成煎剂服用。取新根去掉心，捣熟，绞取汁液，与白蜜混合，在银器中隔水加热煮，不停搅拌，等到像饴糖那样粘稠才制成，用酒送服并温饮。治疗中焦有益于心，使面色红润，安神，益气，使人肥壮健壮，其效力很快。又主治金石类药物引发的毒发。麦门冬去心六两，人参四两，甘草二两炙过，三味药研筛成细粉，蜂蜜炼制成梧桐子大小的丸药，每日两次温水送服。又有崔元亮《海上方》记载的治疗消渴丸说：偶然从乡下人处得到，神效不可言说，用上元板桥新鲜肥厚的麦门冬二大两，宣州黄连九节者二大两，去掉两头尖头三到五节，用小刀条理切片，去皮毛洗净，吹去灰尘，再用生布摩擦擦拭，称量后，捣成粉末，用肥大苦瓠的汁液浸泡麦门冬，过夜后，然后去掉心，就在臼中捣烂，随即放入黄连末在臼中，一起捣匀，等到能做成丸药时，就用手搓成梧桐子大小的丸药，饭后温水送服五十丸，每日两次，只要服用两天，口渴必定停止。如果病情重的，初次服药，每次一百五十丸，每两天服用一百二十丸，第三天一百丸，每四天八十丸，第五天按原剂量服用。如果想要合药，先看天气晴朗明亮，那晚才浸药，务必在干净的地方，禁止妇女、鸡狗看见知晓，如果可行，每天只服用二十五丸。服完后觉得虚弱，就取白羊头一个，净去毛，洗好后，用水三大斗，煮至烂熟，去掉羊头，取汁约一斗左右，细细服用，也不加盐，不超过三剂即可平复痊愈。
Ophiopogonis Radix (Mendong, 麦门冬), grows in the valleys of Jigu River and on fertile soil and stones along dikes in long-abandoned places; it is now available everywhere. The leaves are green like Cyperi Rhizoma (Cao Ben Cao, 莎草), growing over a chi (approx. 30-33 cm) long, remaining evergreen throughout the four seasons. The roots are yellowish-white with fibrous roots, forming a beaded chain-like structure resembling wheat grains, hence the name Ophiopogonis Radix (Mendong, 麦门冬). In April, it blooms pale red flowers similar to Polygoni Multiflori Caulis et Folium (Hong Liao Hua, 红蓼花); the fruits are green, round, and pearl-like. Those from Jiangnan: the larger-leaved varieties have seedlings resembling thick scallions, while smaller ones resemble chives. There are three or four types varying in size, with similar medicinal functions; some claim that those from Wu region are superior. Harvested in February, March, August, and October, dried in shade. It can also be prepared as a single-ingredient decoction or paste. Take fresh roots, remove the heart, pound thoroughly, squeeze out the juice, mix with white honey, and boil in a silver vessel over double-boiling heat, stirring constantly until it reaches the consistency of maltose syrup. Take warm with wine. It benefits the middle jiao and the Heart, enhances complexion, calms the spirit (Shen, 神), tonifies Qi, promotes robustness and strength, acting rapidly. It also treats toxicity induced by mineral drugs. Formula: Ophiopogonis Radix (Mendong, 麦门冬) removed of heart 6 liang, Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) 4 liang, Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice Root) 2 liang. Sift these three ingredients into fine powder, form pills with honey the size of Wuzi (Pharbitidis Semen, 牵牛子/梧子 - here referring to pill size similar to Pharbitidis Semen). Take twice daily with warm water. Additionally, Cui Yuanliang's "Haishang Fang" records a pill for treating Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst Syndrome, 消渴): Obtained accidentally from a rustic source, its efficacy is indescribable. Use two large liang of fresh, plump Ophiopogonis Radix (Mendong, 麦门冬) from Banqiao, Shangyuan, and two large liang of Jiujie Huanglian (Nine-joint Coptis Rhizome) from Xuanzhou. Remove the two pointed ends and 3-5 joints. Slice thinly with a small knife, remove skin and hairs, clean thoroughly, blow off dust, rub with raw cloth, weigh, then pound into powder. Soak Ophiopogonis Radix (Mendong, 麦门冬) in juice from large, bitter Hu Gua (Bitter Melon/Fruit, 瓠瓜) overnight. Then remove the heart, pound in a mortar until pasty, add Huanglian powder, mix and pound further until suitable for pill formation. Roll into pills the size of Wuzi (Pharbitidis Semen, 牵牛子/梧子). Take 50 pills after meals with warm water, twice daily. Within two days, thirst will surely cease. For severe cases: initial dose 150 pills per administration; reduce to 120 pills every two days thereafter; 100 pills on the third day; 80 pills every four days; resume original dosage on the fifth day. When preparing this medicine, choose clear sunny weather for soaking overnight. Ensure a clean environment, prohibiting women, chickens, and dogs from seeing or knowing about the process. If feasible, take only 25 pills daily. After finishing the course, if feeling weak, take one sheep head, clean hair, wash well, boil in three dou (approx. 30-40 liters) of water until tender. Remove the head, collect about one dou of broth, drink slowly without adding salt. Recovery usually occurs within three doses.