Mai Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Mai Dong is the dried tuber of the perennial herb Ophiopogon japonicus, belonging to the Liliaceae family. It is slightly cold in nature, sweet and slightly bitter in taste, and enters the Lung (Fei), Stomach (Wei), and Heart (Xin) meridians. It has the effects of nourishing Yin, moistening the lungs, benefiting the stomach and generating fluids, and clearing the heart to relieve irritability.
Nourishing the Yin of the Five Organs
This herb is sweet and moistening, not only effective in nourishing Yin but also has a slightly cold and clearing effect. Therefore, it is often used for conditions of insufficient Yin fluids in the various organs. Although it enters the Lung, Stomach, and Heart meridians, it can actually nourish the Yin of all five organs, with a particular emphasis on the Lung, Stomach, and Heart.
Lung Yin Deficiency Syndrome This herb nourishes Yin and moistens the lungs, and can also clear heat, making it especially suitable for conditions of dryness injuring Lung Yin and Yin deficiency with Lung heat. For symptoms such as dry mouth and throat, dry cough without phlegm, and dry tongue with little fluid due to dryness, it is often used in combination with Sha Shen (Adenophorae Radix), Yu Zhu (Polygonatum), and Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes), as in the Sha Shen Mai Dong Decoction from “Wen Bing Tiao Bian”. If there is a more severe condition of warm dryness injuring the lungs, with symptoms of fever, cough, and dry throat, it can be combined with Sang Ye (Morus), Shi Gao (Gypsum), Pi Pa Ye (Eriobotryae Folium), and Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini), as in the Qing Zao Jiu Fei Decoction from “Yi Men Fa Lu”. These two formulas are also commonly used in my clinical practice and have proven to be very effective. For Yin deficiency with Lung heat, this herb is also very suitable. The “Zhen Zhu Nang” mentions its treatment for “hidden fire in the lungs”, which refers to this condition. This herb is commonly used to treat conditions such as pulmonary tuberculosis, pulmonary atrophy, lung abscess, and diphtheria that are characterized by Yin deficiency with Lung heat. For example, the Er Dong Gao from “Zhang Shi Yi Tong” uses this herb in combination with Tian Dong (Asparagus) to treat Yin deficiency cough, which can even lead to coughing up blood. It can also be combined with Sheng Di (Rehmannia), Bai He (Lilium), Bei Mu (Fritillaria), and Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena) to enhance its efficacy, as in the Er Dong Er Mu Gao from the same text.
Stomach Yin Deficiency Syndrome According to “Ben Cao Zheng Yi”, “Mai Dong has a very sweet taste and rich in mucilage, thus it specifically nourishes Stomach Yin and generates fluids. It is a sweet medicine for tonifying and benefiting.” This herb is sweet and slightly bitter and cold, excelling in nourishing Yin, benefiting the Stomach, and clearing heat, making it an excellent choice for treating conditions of Stomach Yin deficiency. For symptoms such as dry tongue, dry mouth, and dry throat caused by warm disease and dryness injuring Yin, it is often combined with Sha Shen, Yu Zhu, and Sheng Di to nourish Yin and generate fluids, as in the Yang Wei Decoction and Yu Zhu Mai Dong Decoction from “Wen Bing Tiao Bian”. It can also be combined with the juices of reed root, pear, and lotus root, as in the Wu Zhi Yin from the same text. For the thirst associated with Stomach Yin deficiency, Mai Dong is adept at nourishing Yin and generating fluids to quench thirst, hence “Ben Cao Zheng Yi” states it is “a must-use medicine for nourishing Yin and quenching thirst.” It is commonly used for internal heat injuring Yin and consuming fluids, with symptoms such as dry mouth, excessive drinking, and excessive eating. For example, the Mai Dong Decoction from “Wei Sheng Bao Jian” is specifically designed for thirst, treating those who drink excessively day and night, resembling modern diabetes with excessive urination, combining Mai Dong with Huang Lian (Coptis) and Dong Gua Gan (Benincasae) for treatment. It can also be used with Wu Mei (Mume) to treat thirst and dry throat that cannot be tolerated, as in the Mai Dong Decoction from “Sheng Ji Zong Lu”. Additionally, the aforementioned Wu Zhi Yin and Yang Wei Decoction can also be referenced for treating thirst. For diabetes, Mai Dong is often combined with Sheng Di, Gui Jian Yu (Dianthus), Shan Yao (Dioscorea), Huang Qi (Astragalus), and Tian Hua Fen for treatment. Furthermore, for thirst caused by summer heat, Mai Dong is also commonly used, as in the Mai Dong Decoction from “Za Bing Yuan Liu Xi Zhu”, treating heat stroke and thirst by combining it with Shi Gao, Zhi Mu, and Ren Shen, which has shown good results. Modern research has found that this herb has a good hypoglycemic effect, which may be its modern mechanism for treating diabetes.
Stomach Yin deficiency and upward-acting fire often lead to nausea and vomiting. Mai Dong nourishes Yin, clears heat, and has a slightly bitter taste that can descend and stop vomiting, thus it is suitable for this condition. The Mai Men Dong Decoction from “Jin Gui Yao Lue” heavily utilizes Mai Dong, combining it with Ban Xia (Pinellia), Gan Cao (Licorice), and Jing Mi (Oryza) to treat Stomach Yin deficiency with symptoms of Qi counterflow, vomiting, dry mouth, and dry throat. It can also be combined with Sheng Di Huang juice, ginger, and Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) to treat deficiency heat, nausea, and inability to eat, as in the Di Huang Yin Zi from “Wai Tai Mi Yao”. For stomach pain caused by disharmony between the Liver and Stomach due to Yin deficiency, with symptoms of fullness and distension in the stomach and lack of appetite, Mr. Liu Du Zhou often uses the Ye’s Stomach Nourishing Decoction, adding Bai Mei Hua (Prunus) and Sheng Mai Ya (Hordeum) and Shi Hu (Dendrobium), calling it the Stomach Nourishing and Liver Harmonizing Decoction, which has shown remarkable effects, using Mai Dong to nourish Stomach Yin.
Fluid Deficiency and Dry Intestines Syndrome Insufficient Stomach Yin and dryness heat injuring fluids can lead to constipation due to dry intestines and fluid deficiency. Mai Dong nourishes Yin, clears heat, and moistens the intestines to relieve constipation. For example, the Zeng Ye Decoction from “Wen Bing Tiao Bian” uses this herb in combination with Xuan Shen (Scrophularia) and Sheng Di for treating constipation due to Yin deficiency. The Mai Dong Ma Ren Decoction from the same text uses this herb with Ma Zi Ren (Cannabis) and Bai Shao (Paeonia) and He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) to treat conditions such as malaria injuring Stomach Yin and constipation. If there is accompanying heat accumulation, Da Huang (Rhubarb) and Mang Xiao (Mirabilite) can be added to create a formula for purging heat and moistening the intestines, called the Zeng Ye Cheng Qi Decoction.
Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome Although Mai Dong does not enter the Liver and Kidney meridians, the Yin of the five organs is interconnected, and as an important Yin-nourishing herb, it also has remarkable effects on Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency. For example, the well-known formula Yi Guan Jian includes Mai Dong for treating Liver Yin deficiency, and the Mai Wei Di Huang Wan is also a famous formula for treating Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency, which is widely used in clinical practice.
Qi and Yin Deficiency Syndrome Mai Dong is sweet, cold, and moistening, nourishing Yin and moistening the lungs, while also benefiting the Qi of the Heart and Lung. Ancients have said it “strengthens Yin and benefits essence”, “stabilizes Lung Qi”, and “supplements Heart Qi”, and it is often used to treat injuries to both Heart and Lung Qi and Yin, with symptoms such as fatigue, thirst, excessive sweating, and weak pulse. It is commonly combined with Ren Shen (Ginseng) and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), forming the well-known Sheng Mai San. Based on my clinical experience, this formula is very effective for treating heart function insufficiency and can strengthen heart function. However, when treating this syndrome, the dosage of Mai Dong should be large, not small, ideally over 20 grams. Modern pharmacological studies have found that the water decoction of Mai Dong can improve the hypoxia tolerance of experimental animals, increase coronary blood flow, and has a significant protective effect on myocardial ischemia, and can antagonize arrhythmias, which may be its modern mechanism for treating Heart Qi deficiency.
Calming the Shen
According to the “Ming Yi Bie Lu”, Mai Dong “protects the spirit”; “Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao” states it “calms the spirit and stabilizes the soul”; and “Ben Cao Hui Yan” describes it as “Mai Men Dong, a medicine for clearing the heart and moistening the lungs, is indicated for insufficient Heart Qi, palpitations, forgetfulness, and mental confusion.” Therefore, Mai Dong has the effect of nourishing the heart and calming the spirit, and can be used for various conditions of restlessness of the spirit caused by different reasons, especially effective for treating insomnia due to deficiency heat. If there are palpitations, insomnia, and forgetfulness due to insufficient Yin blood, it can be combined with Sheng Di, Dang Gui (Angelica), Xuan Shen, and Bai Zi Ren (Platycladus) as in the Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan. This formula is commonly used in clinical practice and can treat various causes of arrhythmia, especially functional arrhythmias with satisfactory results. For those with Qi and blood deficiency, the famous Zhi Gan Cao Decoction from “Shang Han Lun” is most notable, where Mai Dong is combined with Zhi Gan Cao, Sheng Di, and Ejiao to treat palpitations and “irregular pulse” due to febrile diseases and miscellaneous diseases. This formula is also commonly used in my clinical practice. In cases of exogenous febrile diseases, where heat evil disturbs the heart, leading to restlessness and insomnia, Mai Dong can be used to treat this, as in the Qing Ying Decoction and Qing Gong Decoction from “Wen Bing Tiao Bian”, combining Mai Dong with Xi Jiao (Rhinoceri Cornu), Dan Pi (Moutan), Sheng Di, and Yin Hua (Lonicera) for efficacy.
Stopping Various Hemorrhages
Mai Dong’s hemostatic effect is not commonly recorded in herbal texts, but “Yi Xue Qi Yuan” mentions it as “treating blood recklessly flowing.” Unlike San Qi (Notoginseng), Xian He Cao (Agrimonia), and Xue Yu Tan (Caragana), which have direct hemostatic effects, it is used to treat bleeding caused by Yin deficiency with heat, where blood does not flow normally. This can be concluded from the various formulas recorded throughout history that include Mai Dong for stopping bleeding, such as the Mai Dong Decoction for treating hematemesis and epistaxis in “Tai Ping Sheng Hui Fang”; the Mai Dong Drink from “Ji Sheng Fang”; and the use of Mai Dong juice mixed with honey for treating hematemesis and epistaxis when other formulas are ineffective, as mentioned in “Huo Ren Xin Jing”; and the Mai Dong and Sheng Di Drink from “Yi Zong Jin Jian”, using equal parts of Mai Dong and Sheng Di, boiled in water, indicated for blood heat in the upper jiao, with symptoms of fresh blood flowing from the eyes and a weak pulse. This supports the view that Mai Dong is quite effective for bleeding due to Yin deficiency with heat.
Treating Throat Disorders
Mai Dong is used to treat throat disorders, as recorded in the Han Dynasty’s “Shang Han Za Bing Lun”, stating “great counterflow of Qi, throat not benefiting, stopping counterflow and descending Qi, Mai Men Dong Decoction is indicated.” This formula heavily utilizes Mai Dong, indicating its primary role in the formula. Additionally, “Anhui Medicinal Materials” considers this herb to primarily treat “throat swelling and pain”, which is also based on clinical experience. The reason is that the throat is the gateway of the Lung and Stomach, and Mai Dong nourishes Yin, clears heat, and supplements the Yin of the Lung and Stomach while also clearing heat, making it especially suitable for throat pain caused by Yin deficiency and wind-heat invasion, thus serving as the main herb. In my clinical practice, when treating throat pain due to Yin deficiency, I often use the Xuan Mai Gan Ju Decoction, which combines Mai Dong with Xuan Shen, Jie Geng (Platycodon), and Gan Cao, and if there is accompanying hoarseness or loss of voice, I often add Chan Tui (Cicada Slough) and Mu Hu Die (Butterfly Pea); if there is heat accumulation, I can add Jin Yin Hua (Lonicera) and Lian Qiao (Forsythia) for better results.
Treating Insufficient Lactation in Women
In addition to the aforementioned uses, “Yao Xing Lun” states that Mai Dong “is indicated for great water retention and swelling of limbs”. In clinical practice, this herb is less commonly used for diuresis, but the Mai Dong San for treating insufficient lactation from “Qian Jin Fang” is still in clinical use today. There are reports of treating women with insufficient lactation using Mai Dong, Qu Mai (Dianthus), and Wang Bu Liu Xing (Vaccaria) each at 12 grams, and Shan Jiao (Scrophularia) and Gan Cao each at 10 grams, taken once daily for 3-5 doses to achieve efficacy.
It is important to note that both Mai Dong and Tian Dong are sweet and cold herbs that nourish fluids and generate fluids, and they are often used together, known as Er Dong Decoction. The difference between the two is that Tian Dong is more cold and excels at nourishing the Yin of the Lung and Kidney, while Mai Dong also enters the Heart and Stomach meridians, treating restlessness and anxiety, which Tian Dong cannot address.
Mai Dong is slightly cold in nature, and except for cases of Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold, the general dosage is on the higher side, with my common dosage being 20-30 grams, especially when treating Heart Qi deficiency, where it must be over 30 grams to be effective; expecting to achieve results with around 10 grams is unrealistic. This herb is sweet, moistening, and slightly cold, so it should be used cautiously in cases of wind-cold colds, phlegm-damp coughs, and Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold diarrhea. Clinical reports have noted allergic reactions after taking Mai Dong, often related to individual constitution, presenting as nausea, vomiting, palpitations, irritability, widespread rash, abdominal pinprick-like pain, itching, and even delirium and fixed gaze. However, I have not encountered such cases in my clinical practice.
Source: Guangdong Traditional Chinese MedicineEditor: Xu ZhenrongProofreader: Wu HanchunReviewer: Lu Yuxiang
