Mai Men Dong Yin Zi Wan - Ophiopogon and Trichosanthes Combination

Herbal Formula Database

Mai Men Dong Yin Zi Wan Herbal Formula Classifications and Usages

The herbal formula "mai men dong yin zi wan" , 麥門冬湯, which in english is "ophiopogon and trichosanthes combination", is categorized within the "treat dryness" functional grouping and within the "enrich the yin and moisten dryness" sub-category.

You may also see this formula referenced by: Mai Men Dong Yin Zi.

Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:

  • 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 deficiency fire rising from the stomach yin deficiency.  
  • A range of digestive issues - nausea, vomiting, counterflow qi, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease.
  • Acute or chronic lung issues - bronchitis, dry cough - particularly with other yin deficiency signs (malar flush, heat in the five palms, etc.)
  • Sjogren's syndrome - when other underlying diagnostic factors are a good fit.

Our shop contains mai men dong yin zi wan from the following manufacturer:

View Mai Men Dong Yin Zi - Sun Ten

For many reasons such as availability, ecological choices, and/or price, each manufacturer or herbalist may well adjust the exact composition of a specific formula. Mai Men Dong Yin Zi Wan is generally comprised of the following herbs:

ViewDan Zhu Ye (Lophatherum Stem and Leaves)

Clears heat - heat patterns with irritability and thirst, mouth sores and swollen, painful gums due to heat in the heart or stomach channels. Promotes urination and clears damp-heat - lin syndrome, …

ViewFu Ling (Poria, China Root)

Promotes urination, drains dampness, transforms phlegm - urinary difficulty, diarrhea, edema, headache, dizziness, greasy tongue coat. Strengthens the spleen, harmonizes the middle jiao - diarrhea, …

ViewGan Cao (Licorice Root)

Tonifies the spleen and augments qi - spleen deficiency w/shortness of breath, fatigue, loose stools (si jun zi tong). Qi and/or blood deficiency w/irregular pluse or palpitations (Zhi Gan Cao Tang)…

ViewGe Gen (Kudzu Root, Pueraria)

Releases muscles, clears heat - exterior disease in subcutaneous region and muscles (governed by spleen and stomach) - fever, headache, stiffness in the back and the neck. Nourishes fluids, alleviat…

ViewMai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber)

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-f…

ViewRen Shen (Ginseng Root)

Strongly tonify yuan qi - extreme collapse of qi, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating, weak pulse (often used alone for this condition after severe blood loss). Tonify lung qi - wheezi…

ViewSheng Di Huang (Rehmannia)

Clears Heat, Cools Blood. High fever, thirst, scarlet tongue, hemorrhage due to heat in the Blood. Nourishes Yin, Generates Fluids. Yin Deficiency with heat signs with injury to body fluids. Dry mou…

ViewTian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes Root)

Clears and drains lung heat, transforms phlegm, moistens lung dryness. Drains heat, generates fluid (fluids injured) - thirst, irritability, wasting and thirsting disorder, cough, thick sputum. Reli…

ViewWu Wei Zi (Schisandra Fruit/Seed)

Constrain leakage of lung qi, enriches kidney yin - chronic cough and wheezing due to kidney and lung deficiency. Tonify the kidneys, bind the essence, stop diarrhea - nocturnal emission, spermatorr…

ViewZhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome)

Clears heat, drains fire - high fever, irritability, thirst, and a rapid flooding pulse in patterns of excessive heat in the lungs and/or stomach; cough due to lung heat with thick yellow sputum. No…

A single formula, alone, may not be sufficient to fully address a particular TCM diagnostic pattern. Formulas may be used alone, in combinations, and/or in stages. Mai Men Dong Yin Zi Wan is a candidate for consideration when needing to influence lung yin deficiency, stomach rebellious qi and/or stomach yin deficiency.

Mai Men Dong Yin Zi Wan may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored overall approach, to influence the following conditions: cough, gastritis, pneumonia and/or sore throat

As noted above, mai men dong yin zi wan is within the treat dryness functional group. And it appears within the sub-category "enrich the yin and moisten dryness", which contains the following 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…

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…

ViewTong Bian Wan (Constipation Pills)

Constipation from heat or fire that has damaged the yin fluids - dry hard pellet like stools, dark urine from dryness, feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen, flatulence (generally with a foul smel…

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…

All formulas in the primary category of "treat dryness" are listed below.

(truncated intro "...dryness in chinese medicine terms may be internal, generally arising from heat, or external arising from the season or environmental condit…)".

All Content 1999-2024
Chad J. Dupuis / Yin Yang House
Our Policies and Privacy Guidelines
Our Affiliated Clinics