 Ophiopogon
root (Maidong)
Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Ophiopogonis
Botanical Name: 1. Ophiopogon japonicus
(Thunb.) Ker-Gawl.; 2. Liriope spicata
Common Name: Ophiopogon root, Lilyturf root
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. 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.
4. 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.
Dosage: 6-15 g
Cautions & Contraindications:
This herb is contraindicated in cases with
cough due to wind-cold type of common cold,
with presence of phlegm fluid and turbid dampness,
with diarrhea due to deficiency, and cold
in the spleen and stomach. |
