Ophiopogon root (Maidong)
Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker-Gawl. (Fam. Liliaceae)
Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Ophiopogonis
Botanical Name: 1. Ophiopogon
japonicus (Thunb.) Ker-Gawl. (Fam. Liliaceae); 2. Liriope
spicata (Fam. Asparagaceae)
Common Name: Ophiopogon root, Lilyturf root, Dwarf lilyturf tuber.
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong
Bencao Jing.
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations: The tuberous roots are dug in summer. After the fibrous roots
have been removed, the roots are dried in the sun.
Properties & Taste: Sweet, slightly
bitter and slightly cold
Meridians: Lung, heart and stomach
Functions: 1. To nourish the yin and
moisten the lungs; 2. To strengthen the stomach and promote the production of
body fluids; 3. To clear heat in the heart and relieve irritability
Indications & Combinations:
1. Dryness and heat in the lungs due to
deficiency of yin manifested as cough with scanty and sticky sputum or cough
with bloody sputum. Ophiopogon root (Maidong) is used with Glehnia root
(Shashen), Asparagus root (Tianmendong), Tendrilled fritillary bulb
(Chuanbeimu) and Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang).
2. Deficient yin of the stomach manifested
as dry tongue and thirst. Ophiopogon root (Maidong) is used with Fragrant
solomonseal rhizome (Yuzhu), Glehnia root (Shashen) and Fresh rehmannia root
(Shengdihuang).
3. Constipation caused by dryness in the
intestines. Ophiopogon root (Maidong) is used with Fresh rehmannia root
(Shengdihuang) and Scrophularia (Xuanshen) in the formula Zengye Tang.
4. Irritability and insomnia; a)
nutritive (ying) system invaded by pathogenic heatOphiopogon root (Maidong) is
used with Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang), Bamboo leaf (Zhuye) and Coptis
root (Huanglian) in the formula Qingying Tang; b) heart yin deficiency with internal
heat causing insomniaOphiopogon root (Maidong) is used with Fresh rehmannia
root (Shengdihuang) and Wild jujube seed (Suanzaoren) in the formula Tianwang
Buxin Dan.
Dosage: 6-15 g, decocted in water for
internal use.
Cautions & Contraindications:
1. Contraindicated in patients with cough
due to Wind Cold or due to Phlegm and Dampness.
2. Contraindicated in patients with diarrhea
due to Cold from Spleen and Stomach Deficiency.
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