Herbs that Tonify Yin
Mai Men Dong 麦门冬
Tuber Ophiopogonis Japonici Ophiopogon Tuber
Also known as Mai Dong, Cun Dong, Da Mai Dong
✓ CALE Exam ✓ National Exam
Materia Medica Data
- Category
- Herbs that Tonify Yin
- Temperature
- Slightly Cold
- Nature & Flavour
- Sweet, Slightly Bitter, Slightly Cold
- Channels Entered
- SP, ST, HT (LU)
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Tuber Ophiopogonis Japonici
- Chinese
- 麦门冬
- Tone Marks
- mài mén dōng
- Also Known As
- Mai Dong, Cun Dong, Da Mai Dong
- Translation
- Lush Winter Wheat
Chinese Herb Actions
- Moistens the Lungs, Nourishes Yin Treats cases with damaged Lung Yin including symptoms of a hacking, dry cough, or hemoptysis, dry throat, dry mouth, dry cough with scanty and difficult to expectorate phlegm. Also for dyspnea, chest fullness and pain with a dry cough. Most often used in cases when a Warm-Dry pathogen has transformed into fire because it can cool the lungs.
- Nourishes the Stomach Yin and Generates Fluids For thirst and dry mouth due to insufficient Stomach Yin. Also for Xiao Ke syndrome(wasting and thirsting disorder).
- Moistens Intestines For intestinal dryness and constipation due to Yin Deficiency leading to dryness
- Clears the Heart and Eliminates Irritability For irritability, especially fever and irritability that worsen at night due to Yin Deficiency or Heat Pathogen in the Ying Level
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 10-15 grams in decoction, crushed 12
- 6-15 grams in decoction 13
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Do not use in cases of diarrhea from Cold and Middle Jiao Deficiency
- Do not use in cases of cough due to Wind-Cold or Damp-Phlegm
- Avoid use prior to operating heavy machinery due to possible drowsiness associated with use of this herb
Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose
- No toxicity noted
- Possible allergic reactions include nausea, vomiting, nervousness, agitation, tingling abdominal pain, and pruritus along with delirium and loss of consiousness.
Herb-Drug Interactions
- None Noted.
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
https://amzn.to/3WfB3DK
https://amzn.to/3DR1VUh
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