Description
Radix Ophiopogonis, Ophiopogon Japonicus, Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber, Ophiopogon Root (Mai Dong, 麦冬) is a herb for moistening dryness and nourishing Yin. Its key targets are the Lung, Stomach, and Heart. It is the go-to herb for conditions characterised by a lack of bodily fluids, such as a dry cough, chronic thirst, and constipation due to dryness.
Slightly cold in nature. Sweet and slightly bitter in taste. It enters the heart, lungs and stomach meridians.
Radix Ophiopogonis’s primary actions revolve around moistening and nourishing Yin (the body’s cooling, hydrating, and material aspect), especially of the Lung and Stomach, while clearing heat.
Health Benefits
Nourishes the Yin, moistens the lungs and dryness, nourishes the stomach, clears heat, promotes the production of body fluid, relieves cough, moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movement.
Ideal for individuals experiencing :
Lung Yin Deficiency :
· Dry, unproductive cough or coughing blood : Especially in chronic coughs, bronchitis, or tuberculosis.
· Thirst with a dry throat and mouth.
Stomach Yin Deficiency :
· Dry mouth and thirst, even with a good water intake.
· Bad breath (halitosis), feeling of hunger with no desire to eat.
· Nausea, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing.
· Stomach pain with a burning sensation (as in atrophic gastritis).
Heart Yin Deficiency with Heat :
· Insomnia, restlessness, palpitations.
· Irritability, mouth sores.
Intestinal Dryness :
· Constipation due to a lack of fluids in the intestines, often in the elderly or after fever.
Common Usage and Preparation
· Tea / Decoction : Steep in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Can be re-steeped several times. or Simmer on the stove for a richer flavour.
· Powder or Capsules : Ground into a powder and taken with warm water or encapsulated. For convenient daily supplementation in smaller, maintained doses.
· Culinary Use : Added to soups and stews for a tonic effect.
· Typical Dosage: 6 – 15 grams in a decoction.
Precautions
Radix Ophiopogonis has a mild nature, safe and gentle herbs. It is suitable for all ages.
· An Acute / Heat Conditions : Such as fever, flu, cold, chills, sore throat, inflammation.
· Spleen Deficiency with Dampness or Phlegm : Poor appetite, bloating, loose stools or diarrhoea, a heavy feeling in the limbs, a thick, greasy tongue coating.
· Common Cold with Chills (Exterior Wind-Cold Pattern) : Its cold and moist nature can trap the pathogenic factor inside the body.
· Pregnancy : Use only under the guidance of a TCM practitioner. All herbs are not for infants.
· Medical Conditions : If you have hypertension, auto-immune diseases, diabetes, allergy or are on medication (especially blood thinners), consultation with a doctor is essential.
** Disclaimer : Not a substitute for medicine. Individual results may vary. Always consult a qualified TCM practitioner or healthcare professional before consume any herbal medicine, especially when you have underlying health conditions.
Comparison with Similar Herbs
· Radix Ophiopogonis vs. Adenophora Stricta (Glehnia Root):
· Both are excellent for nourishing Lung and Stomach Yin for dry cough and thirst.
· Radix Ophiopogonis is slightly colder and enters the Heart channel.
· Adenophora Stricta is more neutral and is considered gentler, often preferred when there is a concern about the cold nature of other herbs.
