石菖蒲，味辛而苦，气温，无毒。能开心窍，善通气，止遗尿，安胎除烦闷，能治善忘。
但必须石上生者良，否则无功。然止可为佐使，而不可为君药。开心窍，必须君以人参，通
气，必须君以 、术。遗尿欲止，非多加参、 不能取效。胎动欲安，非多加白术不能成功。
除
或问石菖蒲必得人参而始效，是石菖蒲亦可有可无之药也。此吾子过轻石菖蒲矣。石菖
蒲实有专功也。凡心窍之闭，非石菖蒲不能开，徒用人参，竟不能取效。是人参必得菖蒲以
成功，非菖蒲必得人参而奏效。盖两相须而两相成，实为药中不可无之物也。
或问石菖蒲何故必取九节者良，市上易者，且不止九节，节之多寡，可不问乎？石上菖
蒲，凡细小者俱可用，而前人取九节者，取九窍之俱可通也，其实菖蒲俱能通心窍，心窍通
而九窍俱通矣。
或疑石菖蒲能治健忘，然善忘之症用之绝少效验，何耶？善忘之症，因心窍之闭耳。心
窍之闭者，由于心气之虚，补心之虚，舍人参无他药也。不用人参以补虚，惟恃菖蒲以开窍，
窍
天门冬，味苦而甘，性凉，沉也，阴也，阴中有阳，无毒。入肺、肾二经。补虚痨，杀
虫，
润五脏，悦颜色。专消烦除热，止嗽定咳尤善，止血消肺痈有神。但性凉。多服颇损胃。世
人谓天门冬善消虚热，吾以为此说不可不辨。天门冬止可泻实火之人也，虚寒最忌，而虚热
亦宜忌之。盖虚热未有不胃虚者也。胃虚而又加损胃之药，胃气有不消亡者乎。胃伤而传之
脾，则脾亦受伤。脾胃两伤，上不能受水谷，而下不能化糟粕矣，又何望其补哉。大约天冬
，凡肾水亏而肾火炎上者，可权用之以解氛，肾大寒而肾水又弱者，断不可久用之以滋阴也
。
或谓天冬性润，可以解火，即可以益水，先生谓不可久用者，以肾火之寒也，但肾火寒
者，
自不可用矣，肾水未竭，而肾火未寒者，亦可用之乎。此则愚所未言也。肾水未竭，而肾火
又未寒，是平常无病之人也。似
乎服天冬，可以无碍。然而补之药胜于天冬者甚多，何必择此性凉者，以日伐其火乎。夫人
非水火不生活，且水非火不生，火非水不养。止补其水而泻其火，初则火渐衰而水旺，久则
火日去而水亡。此天冬所以只可暂以补水，而不可久以泻火也。
或问天冬同地黄用之，可以乌须发，此久治之法以滋肾者，而吾子谓天冬只宜泻实火之
人，
岂乌须发而亦可谓实火耶？夫须发之早白，虽由于肾水之不足，亦因于肾火之有余也。夫火
之有余，既因于水之不足，则寒凉以补水，正寒凉以泻火
也。况天冬与地黄同用，则天冬之凉者不凉，肾得其滋补之益，而须发之焦枯，有不反黑者
哉。然则天冬之乌须发，仍泻实火，而非泻虚火矣。
或问天门冬治痨瘵之病甚佳，而吾子谓止可暂服，岂治痨疾者，可一二剂愈乎？嗟乎。
天门
冬治痨瘵者，必脾健而大肠燥结、肺气火炎者宜之。然亦只可少服。而不可多服也。夫寒凉
之物，未有不损胃者也。脾健则胃气亦健。大肠燥结，则肺气亦必燥结。天冬凉肺而兼凉胃
，宜其无恶，但久用天冬，胃凉则脾亦凉，肺凉则大肠亦凉，又势所必至也。乌可不先事而
预防哉。
或问湿热不去，下流于肾，能使骨痿。肾欲坚，急食苦以坚之，天门冬、黄柏之类是也。
是天门冬味苦气寒，正入肾以除热，可以治痿，而竟置不言，何也？此吾子知其一，不知其
二
也。夫治痿必治阳明。骨痿虽属肾，而治法必兼治胃。天门冬大寒，不利胃气，暂服可以治
痿，久服必至损胃，胃损而肾又何益耶。况胃又肾之关门，关门无生气之固，而欲肾宫坚牢
，以壮骨生髓，必不得之数也。世人遵黄柏、知母之教，以损伤胃气。铎又何敢复扬天门冬
治痿之说，以劝人再用寒凉乎。此所以宁缺，以志予过也。
或疑天冬泻实火，不泻虚火，虚火禁用，实火安在不可常用耶？夫火虽有虚、实之分，
而泻
火之药，只可暂用，而不可常用也。天门冬泻实火，未尝不佳，特怪世人久服耳。人非火不
活，暂损其有余，使火不烁水已耳，乌可经年累月服泻火之药哉。泻之日久，未有实火而不
变为虚火者也。此常服之断宜戒也。
或疑天门冬性虽寒，以沙糖、蜜水煮透，全无苦味，则寒性尽失，不识有益阴虚火动之
病乎
？夫天门冬之退阴火，正取其味苦涩也。若将苦涩之味尽去，亦复何益。或虑其过寒，少去
其苦涩，而加入细节甘草，同糖、蜜共制，庶以之治阴虚咳嗽，两有所宜耳。
或问天门冬，古人有服而得仙，吾子贬其功用，谓多服必至损胃，然则古语荒唐乎？嗟
乎！《
神农本草》服食重载长生，岂皆不可信乎？大约言长生者，言其能延生也，非即言不死也。
天门冬，食之而能却病，吾实信之，谓采服飞升，尚在阙疑。
石菖蒲，味道辛而苦，药性温，没有毒性。能够开通心窍，善于疏通气机，止住遗尿，安胎并消除烦闷，能治疗健忘症。
但是必须是在石头上生长的才优良，否则就没有功效。然而它只能作为佐药或使药，不能作为君药（主药）。要开通心窍，必须以人参为君药；要疏通气机，必须以[苍]术、[白]术为君药。想要止住遗尿，不大量加入参、[苍]术就不能见效。想要安定胎动，不大量加入白术就不能成功。
有人问：石菖蒲必须得到人参才能见效，那是不是石菖蒲也是可有可无的药呢？这是你轻视石菖蒲了。石菖蒲确实有专门的功用。凡是心窍闭塞的，不用石菖蒲不能开通，如果只用参，竟然不能见效。所以是人参必须依靠石菖蒲来取得成功，而不是石菖蒲必须依靠人参来奏效。大概是因为两者互相依赖而互相成就，确实是药物中不可缺少的东西。
有人问：石菖蒲为什么一定要选取九节段的才优良，市场上容易买到的，而且不止九节段，节段的多少，难道可以不问吗？在石头上生长的石菖蒲，凡是细小的都可以使用，而前人选取九节段的，是取“九窍”都能通畅的意思，其实石菖蒲都能通心窍，心窍通了，九窍就都通了。
有人怀疑石菃蒲能治疗健忘，然而对于善忘这种病症用它几乎绝少有效，为什么呢？善忘这种病症，是由于心窍闭塞造成的。心窍闭塞的原因，是由于心气虚弱，补益心气的虚弱，除了人参没有其他药。如果不用人参来补虚，只依靠石菖蒲来开窍，窍……（原文此处中断）
天门冬，味道苦而甘，药性凉，质地下沉，属阴，阴中有阳，没有毒性。进入肺、肾二经。补益虚劳，杀虫，滋润五脏，使面色悦泽。专门消除烦热，止咳定喘尤其擅长，止血和消除肺痈也有神奇疗效。但药性偏凉，多服用很损伤胃气。世人说天门冬善于消除虚热，我认为这个说法不可以不辨析。天门冬只适合用于泻实火的人，虚寒体质最忌讳，而虚热体质也应当忌讳。因为虚热没有不伴随胃虚的。胃已经虚弱，又加上损伤胃气的药，胃气能不消亡吗？胃受伤进而传给脾，那么脾也会受伤。脾胃两伤，上面不能接受水谷，下面不能消化糟粕，又哪里指望它能补益呢？大约天门冬，凡是肾水亏虚而肾火上炎的人，可以权且使用它来解围，肾大寒而肾水又弱的人，绝对不可以久用它以滋阴。
有人说天冬性润，可以解火，既然解火就可以益水，先生说不可以久用，是因为肾火寒的缘故，但肾火寒的人，自然不可用了，肾水未枯竭，而肾火未寒的人，也可以使用吗？这是我之前没有说过的。肾水未枯竭，而肾火也未寒，这是平常无病的人。似乎服用天冬，可以没有妨碍。然而补益的药物胜过天冬的很多，何必选择这种性凉的药，来每天伐除其火呢？人没有水火不能生活，而且水没有火不能生发，火没有水不能滋养。只补其水而泻其火，起初则火逐渐衰弱而水旺盛，久了则火一天天离去而水消亡。这就是天冬所以只可以暂时用来补水，而不可以长久用来泻火的原因。
有人问：天冬同地黄一起使用，可以使须发变黑，这是长期治疗以滋补肾的方法，而你却说天冬只适合泻实火的人，难道使须发变黑也可以说是实火吗？须发过早变白，虽然由于肾水不足，也由于肾火有余。火有余，既然因为水不足，那么用寒凉药来补水，正是用寒凉药来泻火。况且天冬与地黄同用，则天冬的凉性就不那么凉了，肾脏得到滋补的好处，而须发的焦枯，有不反过来变黑的吗？既然如此，天冬使须发变黑，仍然是泻实火，而不是泻虚火。
有人问：天门冬治疗痨瘵病很好，而你说只可以暂时服用，难道治疗痨疾的人，吃一两剂就能好吗？唉。天门冬治疗痨瘵，必须是脾气健运而大肠燥结、肺气火炎的人适宜。但也只可以少量服用，不可以多服。寒凉的东西，没有不损伤胃气的。脾气健运则胃气也健运。大肠燥结，则肺气也必然燥结。天冬凉肺同时兼凉胃，适宜于没有恶感，但久用天冬，胃凉则脾也凉，肺凉则大肠也凉，这又是势所必至的结果。怎么能不事先预防呢？
有人问：湿热不去，下流于肾，能使骨痿。肾欲坚固，急切食用苦味药以坚固之，天门冬、黄柏之类就是。天门冬味苦气寒，正入肾以除热，可以治疗痿证，竟然置之不言，为什么呢？这是你只知道其一，不知道其二。治疗痿证必须治阳明。骨痿虽然属于肾，但治疗方法必须兼治胃。天门冬大寒，不利于胃气，暂服可以治痿，久服必定损伤胃，胃受损而肾又有什么益处呢？况且胃又是肾的关门，关门没有生气的固摄，而想要肾宫坚固，以壮骨生髓，一定是不可能的。世人遵循黄柏、知母的教导，以损伤胃气。我陈士铎又怎么敢再宣扬天门冬治痿的说法，来劝人再用寒凉药呢？这就是我宁可缺失（某些内容），以记录我的过错的原因。
有人怀疑天冬泻实火，不泻虚火，虚火禁用，实火为什么也不可以常用呢？火虽然有虚、实的区分，而泻火的药，只可以暂时使用，不可以常用。天门冬泻实火，未尝不好，只是奇怪世人久服罢了。人没有火不能活，暂时损害其有余的火，使火不灼烧水罢了，怎么能经年累月地服用泻火的药呢？泻火的日子久了，没有实火不变成虚火的。这是常服断然应该戒除的。
有人怀疑天门冬性虽寒，如果用沙糖、蜜水煮透，完全没有苦味，那么寒性尽失，不知对阴虚火动的病有益吗？天门冬退阴火，正是取其味苦涩。如果把苦涩的味道全部去掉，又有什么益处呢？或者担心它过寒，稍微减少其苦涩，而加入少许甘草，同糖、蜜共同炮制，或许可以用来治疗阴虚咳嗽，两相适宜。
有人问：天门冬，古人有服用而成仙的，你贬低它的功用，说多服必定损伤胃，那么古语是荒唐的吗？唉！《神农本草》记载服食重载长生，难道都不可信吗？大约说长生，是说它能延长生命，并不是说不死。天门冬，吃了能驱除疾病，我确实相信，说采服飞升成仙，还在存疑之中。
Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), with a pungent and bitter taste, is warm in nature and non-toxic. It can open the orifices of the Heart, effectively promotes the flow of Qi, stops enuresis, calms the fetus and relieves irritability, and treats forgetfulness.
However, only those growing on rocks are considered superior; otherwise, they are ineffective. Nevertheless, it can only serve as an assistant drug (Zuo Shi) and cannot be used as the sovereign drug (Jun Yao). To open the orifices of the Heart, it must be paired with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) as the sovereign drug; to promote the flow of Qi, it must be paired with Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) and Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) as the sovereign drug. To stop enuresis, large doses of Renshen and Cangzhu are required for efficacy. To calm fetal movement, large doses of Baizhu are necessary for success.
Someone asked: Since Shichangpu requires Renshen to be effective, is Shichangpu an optional herb? This is your undervaluation of Shichangpu. Shichangpu indeed has specific functions. For any closure of the orifices of the Heart, Shichangpu is indispensable for opening them; using Renshen alone would yield no effect. Thus, Renshen relies on Shichangpu to achieve its goal, not Shichangpu relying on Renshen. They mutually depend on and complete each other, making them indispensable in herbal medicine.
Someone asked: Why must Shichangpu have nine nodes to be considered superior? Market varieties often have more than nine nodes. Does the number of nodes matter? Shichangpu growing on rocks, even if small, can be used. The ancients selected those with nine nodes because "nine" symbolizes the opening of all orifices. In reality, Shichangpu opens the orifices of the Heart; once the Heart orifices are open, all orifices become patent.
Someone doubts that Shichangpu treats forgetfulness, yet it rarely shows efficacy for this condition. Why? Forgetfulness is caused by the closure of the orifices of the Heart. Closure of the Heart orifices stems from deficiency of Heart Qi. To tonify Heart deficiency, there is no herb other than Renshen. Without using Renshen to tonify deficiency and relying solely on Shichangpu to open orifices... [Text cuts off here]
Tianmendong (Asparagi Radix), with a bitter and sweet taste, is cool in nature, heavy in texture, and Yin in character, containing Yang within Yin. It is non-toxic. It enters the Lung and Kidney meridians. It tonifies deficiency consumptive diseases, kills parasites, moistens the five Zang organs, and enhances complexion. It specifically eliminates vexation and heat, is particularly effective in stopping coughs and calming wheezing, and has miraculous effects in stopping bleeding and resolving lung abscesses. However, its cool nature means excessive use damages Stomach Qi. People say Tianmendong is good at clearing deficient heat, but I believe this statement needs clarification. Tianmendong is only suitable for clearing excess fire; it is strictly contraindicated in deficiency-cold patterns and should also be avoided in deficiency-heat patterns. Deficient heat invariably involves Stomach deficiency. If the Stomach is already deficient and further damaged by herbs that injure the Stomach, will Stomach Qi not perish? When the Stomach is injured, it transmits to the Spleen, injuring the Spleen as well. With both Spleen and Stomach injured, the upper body cannot accept food and fluids, and the lower body cannot transform waste. How can one expect tonification? Generally, for cases where Kidney Water is deficient and Kidney Fire flares upward, Tianmendong can be used temporarily to resolve the crisis. However, for cases of severe Kidney Cold with weak Kidney Water, it must never be used long-term for nourishing Yin.
Someone said: Tianmendong is moistening, so it can extinguish fire and thereby benefit water. You say it shouldn't be used long-term because of cold Kidney Fire. But if Kidney Fire is cold, it naturally shouldn't be used. What about cases where Kidney Water is not exhausted and Kidney Fire is not cold? Can these use it? This was something I did not mention before. If Kidney Water is not exhausted and Kidney Fire is not cold, the person is healthy. It seems taking Tianmendong would cause no harm. However, there are many tonifying herbs superior to Tianmendong. Why choose this cool-natured herb to daily suppress fire? Humans cannot live without Water and Fire; Water is generated by Fire, and Fire is nourished by Water. Only tonifying Water while draining Fire initially leads to declining Fire and rising Water, but over time, Fire disappears and Water perishes. This is why Tianmendong can only temporarily supplement Water and cannot be used long-term to drain Fire.
Someone asked: Using Tianmendong with Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) can darken hair and beard, which is a long-term method to nourish the Kidneys. Yet you say Tianmendong is only for clearing excess fire. Can darkening hair and beard also be considered excess fire? Premature graying of hair and beard results not only from insufficient Kidney Water but also from surplus Kidney Fire. Since excess Fire arises from insufficient Water, using cold-cooling herbs to supplement Water is precisely using cold-cooling herbs to drain Fire. Moreover, when Tianmendong is used with Dihuang, its cooling property is moderated. The Kidneys receive the benefits of nourishment, and burnt, dry hair and beard will inevitably turn black again. Therefore, Tianmendong darkens hair and beard by draining excess fire, not deficient fire.
Someone asked: Tianmendong is excellent for treating consumption (Lao Zhai), yet you say it should only be taken temporarily. Can consumption be cured in one or two doses? Alas. Tianmendong is suitable for treating consumption only when the Spleen is robust, the Large Intestine is dry and constipated, and Lung Qi has flaming fire. Even then, it should only be taken in small amounts, not large ones. Cold-natured substances invariably damage Stomach Qi. A robust Spleen implies a robust Stomach. Dryness and constipation in the Large Intestine imply dryness and stagnation in the Lung. Tianmendong cools the Lung and simultaneously cools the Stomach, which is acceptable without adverse reactions. However, long-term use causes the Stomach to become cold, leading to a cold Spleen, and the Lung to become cold, leading to a cold Large Intestine. This is inevitable. How can one fail to prevent this beforehand?
Someone asked: Damp-heat flowing down to the Kidney can cause bone萎 (Wei syndrome - flaccidity). The Kidney desires firmness; urgently eating bitter substances firms it up, such as Tianmendong and Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex). Tianmendong is bitter and cold, entering the Kidney to clear heat, thus treating Wei syndrome. Why did you omit this? You know one part but not the other. Treating Wei syndrome must involve the Yangming channel. Although bone Wei belongs to the Kidney, the treatment method must concurrently treat the Stomach. Tianmendong is greatly cold and detrimental to Stomach Qi. Temporary use can treat Wei syndrome, but long-term use will damage the Stomach. If the Stomach is damaged, what benefit is there to the Kidney? Furthermore, the Stomach is the gatekeeper of the Kidney. Without the vitality and consolidation of the gatekeeper, how can the Kidney palace remain firm to strengthen bones and generate marrow? This is impossible. People follow the teachings of Huangbai and Zhimu, damaging Stomach Qi. How dare I, Chen Shiduo, promote Tianmendong for treating Wei syndrome and encourage the use of cold-natured herbs again? This is why I omitted it, to record my own error.
Someone doubts: Tianmendong drains excess fire, not deficient fire. Deficient fire is contraindicated, so why is excess fire not suitable for regular use? Although fire is divided into deficient and excess types, herbs that drain fire should only be used temporarily, not regularly. Tianmendong draining excess fire is not bad, but it is strange that people take it long-term. Humans need fire to live; temporarily reducing excess fire prevents it from scorching water. How can one take fire-draining herbs year after year? Long-term draining of fire inevitably transforms excess fire into deficient fire. Regular use must be strictly prohibited.
Someone doubts: Although Tianmendong is cold, if boiled thoroughly with rock sugar and honey until the bitter taste is gone, its cold nature is lost. Is this beneficial for Yin deficiency with fire agitation? Tianmendong retreats Yin fire precisely because of its bitter and astringent taste. If this taste is completely removed, what benefit remains? Or, fearing it is too cold, one might slightly reduce its bitterness and add a small amount of Gancao (Licorice Radix et Rhizoma), processed together with sugar and honey. This might be suitable for treating Yin deficiency coughs, benefiting both aspects.
Someone asked: Ancients claimed some took Tianmendong and became immortals. You depreciate its function, saying excessive use damages the Stomach. Are ancient words absurd? Alas! The *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* heavily records longevity through ingestion. Are all these unbelievable? Generally, "longevity" means extending life, not achieving immortality. I truly believe eating Tianmendong can drive away disease, but claims of harvesting it to ascend to heaven remain in doubt.