What are the effects and functions of Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor)?
Sep 03, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the main functions and benefits of Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor) include nourishing yin and promoting body fluid production, moistening the lungs and clearing the heart, relieving dry mouth, improving constipation, and assisting in throat protection. When consuming Ophiopogon japonicus, it can be directly steeped in boiling water as a tea substitute, or cooked together with wolfberry, Solomonseal rhizome, and other ingredients. However, due to its slightly cold nature, individuals with deficiency-cold in the spleen and stomach, prone to diarrhea, or suffering from loose stools should avoid excessive consumption.
Generally speaking, the main functions and benefits of Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor) include nourishing yin and promoting body fluid production, moistening the lungs and clearing the heart, relieving dry mouth, improving constipation, and assisting in vocal cord protection. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Nourishing Yin and Promoting Body Fluid Production
In traditional Chinese medicine theory, Ophiopogon japonicus is slightly cold in nature and enters the heart, lung, and stomach meridians, thus capable of nourishing the body's yin fluids. For symptoms caused by yin deficiency such as body heat, dry throat and tongue, and dry skin, appropriate use of Ophiopogon japonicus can help replenish yin fluids, alleviate dryness and discomfort, and restore the body's moisturized state.
2. Moistening the Lungs and Clearing the Heart
Ophiopogon japonicus can nourish lung yin and clear lung heat, thereby providing some relief for symptoms such as dry cough with little phlegm, sore throat, itching in the throat, and hoarseness caused by lung dryness. At the same time, its effect of clearing the heart can help alleviate irritability and insomnia caused by heart yin deficiency and internal disturbance due to deficiency fire, achieving a dual regulatory effect.
3. Relieving Dry Mouth
Ophiopogon japonicus contains various sugars, amino acids, and other components that can promote saliva secretion and improve dryness of the oral mucosa. For people experiencing persistent dry mouth and throat, especially those whose symptoms cannot be relieved even with sufficient water intake, moderate consumption of Ophiopogon japonicus steeped in water can quickly alleviate dry mouth symptoms and maintain oral moisture.
4. Improving Constipation
The property of Ophiopogon japonicus to nourish yin and produce body fluids can moisturize the intestines, increase intestinal fluids, and soften stools. For constipation caused by insufficient intestinal yin and lack of body fluids, such as dry and hard stools and difficulty defecating, appropriate use of Ophiopogon japonicus can promote intestinal motility, facilitate smooth bowel movements, and avoid excessive intestinal irritation.
5. Assisting Vocal Cord Protection
Ophiopogon japonicus can nourish the throat mucosa and relieve dryness and discomfort in the throat area. Teachers, singers, hosts, and others who frequently use their voices can benefit from regularly drinking Ophiopogon japonicus-infused water, which helps protect the throat, reduce vocal fatigue and hoarseness caused by overuse, and maintain overall throat health.
Ophiopogon japonicus can be consumed by steeping directly in hot water as a tea or cooked together with ingredients such as Lycium barbarum (goji berries) and Polygonatum odoratum (Yuzhu). However, due to its slightly cold nature, individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency coldness, prone to diarrhea, or loose stools should avoid excessive consumption to prevent worsening gastrointestinal discomfort. People with cold-induced cough should also use it with caution to avoid aggravating symptoms.
