Ophiopogon japonicus, Mai Men Dong 麦门冬
Mai Men Dong (TCM)
Botanical name:
Ophiopogon japonicus
In parts of China other species are used including O. bodinieri.
Parts used:
Root
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral/Cool, moist. Sweet, slightly Bitter.
Classification:
Uses:
1. Nourishes Lung Yin, Stops Cough:
-chronic, hacking, dry Cough from Lung Yin deficiency
-Cough with hard-to-clear mucus
-Hemoptysis
-“pulmonary flaccidity with the spitting of bloody pus” (Da Ming)
2. Clears Stomach Heat, Nourishes Stomach Yin:
-dry mouth and tongue from Stomach Yin deficiency
-“treats indigestion due to overeating … it improves the depleted Stomach” (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing)
3. Moistens the Intestines:
-constipation from internal dryness with dry mouth and irritability
4. Clears Heat, Settles Wind, Calms the Mind:
-Irritability and Restlessness from Heat and Yin deficiency
-spasms, cramps, paralysis associated with Yin deficiency
-“paralysis and inability to walk” (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
-“eliminates Heat in the Heart, stops restlessness” (Chen Cang Ji)
-“Long-term use makes one feel happy” (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing)
-“keeps the person in high Spirits” (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
5. Nourishes Yin and Essence:
-promotes Longevity (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing)
-“enhances the Yin and reinforces the Jing [Essence]” (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
-“helps one put on weight, keep young looking and become more productive” .(Ming Yi Bie Lu)
-“fills the Marrow”
-“it turns white hair black” (Che Cang Ji)
Dose:
Decoction: 6–15 grams
Powder: 2–5 grams
Comment:
Substitutes:
Preparation:
Main Combinations:
Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong with Asparagus Tian Men Dong
Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong with Rehmannia Di Huang
1. Cough:
i. from heat and dryness with hard-to-clear phlegm, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong with … available in PRO version
ii. with excess Phlegm, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong with … available in PRO version
iii. Chronic Dry Cough, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong with … available in PRO version
iv. Cough, Wheezing, from Lung Yin and Qi deficiency, … available in PRO version
2. Sore, dry Throat from Yin deficiency and Heat, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong with … available in PRO version
3. Fever of Consumtpion, … available in PRO version
4. Damage to fluids after febrile disease, … available in PRO version
5. Stomach Yin deficiency with Dry mouth, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong with … available in PRO version
6. Thirst, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong with … available in PRO version
7. Wasting and Thirsting (Diabetes-like disorder):
i. Lung and Stomach Yin deficiency, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong with with … available in PRO version
ii. from Stomach Fire with Yin deficiency, … available in PRO version
8. Heart Yin deficiency with Insomnia, Restlessness, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong, … available in PRO version
9. To restore a normal pulse:
i. Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong, … available in PRO version
ii. Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong, … available in PRO version
Major Formulas:
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Da Ding Feng Zhu
Di Gu Pi San
Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang
Sheng Mai San
Tian Wang Bu Xin Wan
Yu Nu Jian
Zhi Ke Ju Hong Kou Fu Ye
Cautions:
Generally safe and well tolerated.
1. Not used in internal Coldness or Damp and weakness of the Digestive system.
