Mai Men Dong Tang — Ophiopogon Decoction

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Conditions treated
5. Cautions

Overview

Mai Men Dong Tang — Ophiopogon Decoction — is a classical formula from Zhang Zhongjing’s Jin Gui Yao Lue for nourishing Lung and Stomach Yin and descending Rebellious Qi that arises when dryness and Yin deficiency cause Qi to rebel upward rather than descend normally. The formula is built around a very large dose of Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus root), one of the most important Yin-nourishing herbs in TCM, which provides the fluid base necessary for Qi to descend smoothly. It is one of the most important formulas for chronic dry cough and for the type of acid reflux that arises from Stomach Yin deficiency rather than from Liver Fire or Cold patterns.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for Lung and Stomach Yin deficiency with Rebellious Qi, characterised by: chronic dry or unproductive cough (possibly with scanty difficult-to-expectorate phlegm), a sensation of Qi rushing upward, nausea and vomiting (from Rebellious Stomach Qi), acid regurgitation, dry mouth and throat (particularly at night), thirst with a preference for small amounts of fluid, a red tongue with little or no coating, and a thin, rapid pulse.

Key herbs

1. Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus root) — the principal herb (in a very large dose, 7 times the dose of other herbs); nourishes Lung and Stomach Yin, moistens dryness, descends Rebellious Qi and generates fluids
2. Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata rhizome, processed) — descends Rebellious Qi and stops nausea and vomiting; paradoxically, a small amount of this drying herb is used in the context of the large dose of Mai Men Dong to descend Qi without damaging Yin further
3. Ren Shen (Panax ginseng root) — tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi to support the transformation and production of Yin fluids
4. Jing Mi (non-glutinous rice) — nourishes Stomach Yin and generates fluids; harmonises the formula
5. Da Zao (Ziziphus jujuba fruit) — nourishes Blood and Spleen Qi; harmonises
6. Zhi Gan Cao (honey-fried Glycyrrhiza root) — tonifies Qi and harmonises the formula

Conditions treated

1. Chronic dry cough from Lung Yin deficiency — particularly post-infectious dry cough that lingers after acute illness
2. Acid reflux and nausea from Stomach Yin deficiency with Rebellious Stomach Qi — the type of reflux where Stomach dryness rather than Heat or Cold is the root
3. Chronic bronchitis in patients with Lung Yin deficiency producing a dry, unproductive or minimally productive cough
4. Post-COVID dry cough and throat dryness from Lung Yin damage
5. Sjogren’s syndrome with dryness of the mouth, throat and eyes from Lung and Stomach Yin deficiency
6. Chronic laryngitis and dry throat from Yin deficiency

Cautions

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available. See the prices page for costs.