What are the benefits and effects of drinking water infused with Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor)?
Sep 03, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Generally, as a commonly used traditional Chinese herb, Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor) has functions and benefits when steeped in water, including nourishing yin and promoting body fluid production, moistening the lungs and clearing the heart, benefiting the stomach and generating body fluids, relieving fatigue, and assisting in improving sleep. When using Ophiopogon japonicus to steep in water, attention should also be paid to its appropriate usage; individuals with deficiency-cold in the spleen and stomach or excessive phlegm-dampness should avoid excessive or long-term consumption to prevent discomfort caused by blind usage.
Generally speaking, as a commonly used traditional Chinese herb, Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor) has functions and benefits when steeped in water, including nourishing yin and promoting body fluid production, moistening the lungs and clearing the heart, benefiting the stomach and promoting fluid secretion, relieving fatigue, and assisting in improving sleep. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Nourishing Yin and Promoting Body Fluid Production: Ophiopogon japonicus has a sweet and slightly bitter taste and a slightly cold nature. It enters the heart, lung, and stomach meridians and has the function of nourishing yin and promoting body fluid production. It is suitable for symptoms such as dry mouth and throat, sore throat, and hoarseness caused by dry weather, insufficient water intake, or deficiency of body fluids.
2. Moistening the Lungs and Calming the Heart: Drinking Ophiopogon japonicus steeped in water can moisten the lungs and relieve coughing. It helps alleviate symptoms such as dry cough with little phlegm, scanty and sticky phlegm, and prolonged cough caused by lung dryness, thus helping to moisturize the lungs and reduce discomfort caused by lung dryness.
3. Benefiting the Stomach and Promoting Fluid Secretion: Ophiopogon japonicus helps regulate conditions caused by insufficient stomach yin. When steeped in water and consumed, it can exert effects of benefiting the stomach and promoting fluid secretion. It is suitable for individuals experiencing stomach-related symptoms such as mild epigastric pain, poor appetite, dry nausea, and hiccups caused by staying up late frequently, irregular eating habits, or damage to stomach yin after febrile illness.
4. Relieving Fatigue: When fatigue symptoms such as listlessness, physical weakness, shortness of breath, and reluctance to speak occur due to excessive exhaustion and depletion of body fluids, drinking Ophiopogon japonicus water can provide some relief.
5. Assisting in Improving Sleep: For issues such as poor sleep quality, difficulty falling asleep, and frequent dreams or waking easily caused by deficiency of heart yin and an unsettled heart spirit, drinking Ophiopogon japonicus water may offer auxiliary improvement. Through its effects of clearing the heart and nourishing yin, it helps regulate the heart spirit, allowing it to calm down and reducing nighttime irritability.
When using Ophiopogon japonicus steeped in water, attention should also be paid to its appropriate usage. It is not advisable for individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency cold or excessive phlegm-dampness to consume excessive amounts or use it long-term, to avoid potential discomfort and ensure safe and appropriate consumption.
