Can drinking Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor) water replenish blood?

Jun 10, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

In general, drinking Ophiopogon water can help nourish the blood to a certain extent, but its effect is limited. If blood deficiency is caused by Yin deficiency, such as insufficient Yin and blood due to long-term staying up late or internal heat damaging body fluids, Ophiopogon water may indirectly improve the symptoms of blood deficiency through its function of nourishing Yin and promoting body fluid production. Before using any traditional Chinese medicine or dietary therapy, it is recommended to consult a qualified physician or nutritionist to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Generally speaking, drinking Ophiopogon water can help nourish the blood to a certain extent, but its effect is limited. It is recommended to use it under the guidance of a physician. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Ophiopogon enters the heart, lung, and stomach meridians, primarily acting on the lung, stomach, and heart meridians. It can nourish yin of the lung and stomach and clear away asthenic heat, showing good therapeutic effects for conditions such as dry cough due to lung dryness, chronic cough due to yin deficiency, and thirst caused by fluid deficiency. If blood deficiency is caused by yin deficiency—for example, yin and blood deficiency caused by long-term staying up late or internal heat injuring body fluids—Ophiopogon water may indirectly improve symptoms of blood deficiency through its function of nourishing yin and promoting body fluid production.

However, for anemia caused by iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, chronic diseases, or other reasons, the yin-nourishing and moistening effects of Ophiopogon water cannot directly increase red blood cell count or elevate hemoglobin levels. Therefore, it should not be used as a direct treatment for anemia. Thus, it is advisable to consult a professional physician or nutritionist before using any traditional Chinese medicine or dietary therapy to ensure safety and effectiveness.

In daily life, it is recommended to maintain healthy lifestyle habits, such as balanced diet, moderate exercise, and adequate rest, which are beneficial for maintaining overall health.

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What are the traditional Chinese medicines for lowering blood sugar?

Under normal circumstances, if it is necessary to lower blood sugar, single-herb traditional Chinese medicines can be used under the guidance of a physician. Commonly used herbs include Kudzu root (Pueraria lobata), Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), Ophiopogon (Ophiopogon japonicus), Solomonseal (Polygonatum odoratum), and Chinese wolfberry bark (Lycium chinense). In addition, individuals requiring auxiliary blood sugar regulation may also use other suitable single-herb TCMs under medical supervision. During treatment, a light diet should be maintained, with avoidance of high-sugar and high-fat foods, along with regular作息 (作息 should be translated as作息 habits or daily routine) and moderate exercise.

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What is Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor) used for in treating chronic pharyngitis?

Ophiopogon japonicus (Mai Dong) can be combined with honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua), Sterculia lychnophora (Pang Da Hai), Polygonatum odoratum (Yu Zhu), Siraitia grosvenorii (Luo Han Guo), and Platycodon grandiflorus (Jie Geng) to assist in the management of chronic pharyngitis; combinations should be selected according to specific symptoms. Mai Dong nourishes yin, promotes body fluid production, moistens the lungs, and benefits the throat, while Jin Yin Hua clears heat, detoxifies, and disperses wind-heat. This combination is suitable for chronic pharyngitis accompanied by dryness, sore throat, and mild throat redness and swelling, addressing both yin deficiency and heat symptoms to relieve throat discomfort.

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What is incompatible with Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor)?

Ophiopogon japonicus (Mai Dong) is generally incompatible with ingredients such as coltsfoot flower (Kuan Dong Hua), black fungus, carp, crab, and radish. Consuming them together may affect drug efficacy or cause physical discomfort. Mai Dong is slightly cold in nature and primarily functions to nourish yin and moisten dryness. Kuan Dong Hua, on the other hand, is warm in nature and mainly used to warm the lungs and relieve cough. These two herbs have opposing properties; when taken together, they may counteract each other, reducing their respective therapeutic effects and preventing the desired regulatory outcomes.

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How to consume Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor) for best results?

Generally speaking, there is no specific claim regarding "the best way to consume Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor) for optimal effectiveness." To achieve effective results when consuming McDoor, common methods include steeping it in hot water as a tea substitute, combining it with ingredients to make soup, boiling it with grains to make porridge, preparing it with other herbs as a decoction, or taking it sublingually in its raw form. When consuming McDoor, it is important to maintain moderation, as excessive intake may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold or those prone to diarrhea should reduce their consumption.