Pinyin: Maidong
Aliases
Maimendong, Busiyao, Yuyuliang
Source
Plants of the Liliaceae family, Ophiopogon japonicusOphiopogon japonicusDried root tuber of (L.f.) Ker-Gawl.
Botanical Description
A perennial herb, 12-40 cm tall. The middle or apex of the fibrous roots often swells to form fleshy root tubers. Leaves are clustered; petioles are sheath-like with membranous margins; leaf blades are narrow and linear, with numerous fibrous remnants of old leaves at the base. Leaf blades are 15-40 cm long, 1.5-4 mm wide, with an acute or acuminate apex, and a greenish-white, slightly expanded base. The scape is shorter than the leaves, 7-15 cm long, with a terminal spike-like raceme, 3-8 cm long; bracts are membranous, with 1-3 flowers in each axil; pedicels are 3-4 mm long, with the joint located above or near the middle; flowers are small, pale purple, slightly drooping, with 6 perianth segments that do not spread, lanceolate, about 5 mm long; stamens 6, with triangular-lanceolate anthers; ovary semi-inferior, 3-locular, style about 4 mm long, with a broad base, slightly conical. Berry is spherical, 5-7 mm in diameter, green when young, turning dark blue when ripe. Flowering period is from May to August, fruiting period from July to September.
Habitat and Distribution
It grows in shady and damp areas on hillsides below 2000 m elevation, under forests, or beside streams, or is cultivated. It is distributed in East China, Central South China, and Hebei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and other regions. Large-scale cultivation occurs in Zhejiang, Sichuan, and Guangxi.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested in summer, washed clean, repeatedly sun-dried and piled up until 70-80% dry, fibrous roots removed, then dried completely.
Medicinal Properties
This product is spindle-shaped, 1.5-3.5 cm long, with a central diameter of 3-7 mm. The surface is earthy yellow or yellowish-white, with deep irregular fine longitudinal striations, and sometimes a small central column is exposed at one end. The texture is tough; the cross-section is off-white with a small, round central column in the center, which can be extracted when fresh. Odor: faint; Taste: slightly sweet and astringent, with slight stickiness when chewed.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains ophiopogon flavone A, ruscogenin, ophiopogonin, diosgenin, ophiopogon flavanone,α- Guanghuoxiangxi, ethyl palmitate, oleanolic acid, etc.
Pharmacology
Has protective effects on the cardiovascular system; enhances hypoxia tolerance, prolongs survival time under normobaric hypoxia; enhances immune function; lowers blood glucose; delays aging; inhibits gastrointestinal propulsion; antibacterial.
Properties and Channel Entry
Sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly cold. Enters the Lung, Stomach, and Heart channels.
Functions and Indications
Nourishes Yin and moistens the Lungs, benefits the Stomach and generates body fluids, clears the Heart and relieves restlessness. Mainly indicated for dry cough due to Lung dryness, consumptive cough due to Yin deficiency, thirst due to fluid depletion, wasting-thirst due to internal Heat, restlessness and insomnia, sore throat, and constipation due to intestinal dryness.
Dosage and Administration
Internal use: decoct in water, 6-15 g; or prepared as pills, powder, or paste
Precautions and Contraindications
For deficiency-cold diarrhea, dampness-turbidity obstructing the middle, wind-cold or cold-phlegm cough and dyspnea: contraindicated in all cases.
Prescriptions
1. For dry cough due to Lung dryness: Maidong 15 g, Sangbaipi 15 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (Xinbian Changyong Zhongcaoyao Shouce) 2. For cough due to Lung Heat: Maidong 12 g, Bei Shashen 12 g, Huangqin 9 g, Jiegeng 9 g, Xingren 9 g, Gancao 6 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (Shandong Zhongcaoyao Shouce) 3. For gastric acid deficiency: Maidong, Shihu, Mujing each 6 g, Nuodaogen 9 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (Fujian Yaowu Zhi) 4. For otitis media: Fresh Maidong tuberous root, mash to extract juice, drip into the ear. (Guangxi Bencao Xuanbian) 5. For urinary retention and painful urination: Fresh Maidong 90 g (dried product 30 g). Decoct in water to half a cup, take before meals, 2-3 times. (Fujian Minjian Caoyao)
