Ophiopogon Root (Mc Door)
<Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing>
Small tuberous roots from the perennial herbaceous plant Ophiopogon japonicus or large-leaved Ophiopogon.
Prescription Names: Ophiopogon, Cun Dong, Mc Door.
Flavor and Nature: Sweet, slightly bitter, slightly cold.
Meridian Affinity: Enters lung, heart, and stomach meridians.
Functions: Moistens lungs and nourishes yin, benefits stomach and generates fluids, clears heart and alleviates irritability.
Indications and Applications:
1. Used for lung yin deficiency, dry heat injuring the lungs, dry cough with reversed qi, dry throat and nose. Example: Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang, which combines Ophiopogon with mulberry leaf, apricot kernel, donkey-hide gelatin, and gypsum. For lung yin deficiency with chronic fever and bloody sputum, or dry cough with sticky phlegm, e.g., Er Dong Gao (equal parts Ophiopogon and Asparagus root, mixed with honey and made into a paste).
2. Used for stomach yin deficiency with dry tongue and thirst; often combined with Adenophora stricta, raw Rehmannia, and Polygonatum.
3. Used for pathogenic heat invading the nutritive level in warm diseases, high fever at night, restlessness. Example: Qing Ying Tang. Combined with sour jujube seed and raw Rehmannia, can treat yin deficiency with heat, irritability, and insomnia—e.g., Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan.
4. Also used for intestinal dryness and constipation. Example: Zeng Ye Tang, combining Ophiopogon with raw Rehmannia and Scrophularia, treats constipation due to yin deficiency and intestinal dryness.
Dosage and Administration: 10–15 grams. Use without heart for clearing and nourishing lung and stomach yin; use with heart for moistening yin and clearing heart fire.
Caution: Avoid in cases of common cold due to wind-cold, cough with phlegm or dampness, or spleen-stomach cold deficiency with diarrhea.
<Ophiopogon Root>