Mai Men Dong - Ophiopogon Tuber
TCM Materia Medica
Mai Men Dong TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "mai men dong" which in english is 
"ophiopogon tuber", is categorized within the "herbs that tonify yin" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the heart, lung and stomach channels and exhibits bitter (ku), cold (han) and sweet (gan) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 6-15g
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Moistens the lungs, stops cough - dry cough, coughing blood.
- Augments stomach yin, generates fluids - dry tongue and mouth.
- Clears heat and eliminates irritability due to yin deficiency or a warm-febrile disease in the ying level - particularly when symptoms are worse at night.
- Moistens the intestines - constipation.
Mai Men Dong may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored formula (in most cases), to influence the following conditions: constipation and/or cough
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, mai men dong is generally included in the following 14 formulas:
ViewBai He Gu Jin Wan (Lily Bulb to Preserve the Metal)
General yin deficiency signs may present as night sweats, heat in the soles and palms, and flusing. Cough/wheezing, possible blood in the sputum, dry and sore throat may present from lung yin and qi…
ViewGeng Nian An Wan (Peaceful Menopause)
Menopause symtpoms including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, restlessness and anxiety as a result of yin deficiency. Can be used for other yin deficient symtpoms such as tinnitus, dry skin…
ViewGu Ben Wan (Replenish the Root Teapills)
Dryness from yin deficiency - dry skin, dry eyes, dry cough, dry stools/constipation. Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, possible anxiety. Other yin deficient symptoms such as night s…
ViewJiang Tang Wan (Lower Blood Sugar Pill)
Nourish the yin and tonify qi with particular emphasis on diabetes (primarily type II, but in some cases type I would benefit as well) when the underlying tcm diagnosis fits. Symptoms may include st…
ViewMai Men Dong Yin Zi Wan (Ophiopogon and Trichosanthes Combination)
Lung and stomach yin deficiency - this is a modified version of Mai Men Dong Tang - fei wei (lung atrophy) syndrome in Chinese Medicine - dry cough from yin fluid damage, generally arises from defici…
ViewQing Fei Wan (Clear The Lungs Decoction)
Clears heat and phlegm and replenishes lung yin - chronic cough, generally with thicker yellow mucus, sore throat. With the right factors aspiration pneumonia, pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis,…
ViewQing Shu Yi Qi Tang Wan (Clear Summer Heat and Augment the Qi)
Please note that there are two formulas with the same name but slightly different compositions. One is from Wang's Wen Re Jing Wei and tonifies the yin more strongly, the other (which is the one dis…
ViewSha Shen Mai Dong Wan (Glehnia and Ophiopogonis Decoction)
Important formula for stomach yin deficiency - benefits the stomach and the lungs - a range of digestive issues (gastritis, epigastric pain), possibly with dry throat, thirst and/or cough. Diabetes …
ViewSheng Mai San Wan (Generate the Pulse Pills)
Respiratory issues from lung qi and yin deficiencies - chronic cough, wheezing. May be used for damage from longer term illnesses and/or the overuse of wind clearing formulas for colds/flus - nights…
ViewTian Wang Bu Xin Wan (Emperor of Heavens Special Pill to Tonify the Heart)
Anxiety, insomnia, irritability, night sweats, hot flashes, flushing or sensation of heat in the palms due to deficiency heat. Insomnia, poor memory, poor focus and concentration due to yin deficien…
ViewWen Jing Wan (Warm the Menses Formula)
Irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, excessive uterine bleeding or spotting between cycles. Infertility, history of miscarriage.
ViewXin Yi Qing Fei Wan (Magnolia Flower Drink To Clear The Lungs)
Colds and/or allergies with heat signs (yellow mucus and/or fever, etc.). Chronic sinus congestions / issues, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, loss of smell. Nasal polyps with the right underly…
ViewYi Guan Jian Wan (Linking Decoction)
GI issues from yin deficiency (liver and kidney) with liver qi stagnation leading to stomach yin issues - gastritis, ulcers, reflux, bloating. The underlying factors lead to dryness of the blood, th…
ViewYu Quan Wan (Jade Spring Pills)
Xiao Ke (wasting and thirsting syndrome), qi and yin deficiencies of the kidney and spleen most commonly seen in the advanced forms of diabetes type II - excessive thirst, excessive urination, strong…
As noted above, mai men dong is within the herbs that tonify yin functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... yin tonics are generally sweet, cold, enriching and cloying. they are inappropriate for spleen or stomach deficiency, internal dampness or phlegm, abdominal distension, and/or diarrhea. general symptoms by system: lung yin defic…)".
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