What are the benefits of drinking water infused with Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor) and licorice?

Generally, Ophiopogon (Ophiopogon japonicus) and Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) are commonly combined and steeped in water as a traditional herbal remedy. This herbal combination offers various benefits, including nourishing yin and moistening the throat, promoting saliva production to relieve thirst, moistening the lungs to alleviate cough, harmonizing the spleen and stomach, and clearing the mind to relieve irritability. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Nourishing Yin and Moistening the Throat: Ophiopogon has a sweet and slightly bitter taste and is slightly cold in nature, thus capable of nourishing yin and promoting body fluids. Licorice, with a sweet and neutral nature, can soothe the throat and relieve urgency. When used together in a tea, this combination is suitable for conditions such as dryness and pain in the throat, hoarseness, and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. By moisturizing the mucous membranes of the throat, it alleviates dryness and discomfort, helping to restore comfort to the throat.

2. Promoting Saliva Production and Relieving Thirst: Ophiopogon is effective in replenishing bodily fluids, while Licorice harmonizes flavor and medicinal properties. Together, they effectively promote saliva production and relieve thirst. This combination is suitable for symptoms such as dry mouth and chapped lips caused by dry weather, insufficient water intake, staying up late, or after a febrile illness. It helps replenish deficient body fluids and relieves discomfort caused by thirst.

3. Moistening the Lungs and Alleviating Cough: Ophiopogon can moisten lung dryness and relieve dry cough, while Licorice soothes respiratory irritation and suppresses coughing. When used together in a tea, this combination is suitable for symptoms such as dry cough with little phlegm, scanty and sticky phlegm, and throat discomfort during coughing caused by lung dryness. By moisturizing the lungs and relieving respiratory dryness, it reduces the frequency and severity of coughing and helps alleviate pulmonary discomfort.

4. Harmonizing the Spleen and Stomach: Ophiopogon nourishes the stomach yin and promotes the production of bodily fluids, while Licorice strengthens the middle jiao and harmonizes qi, relieving stomach discomfort. When used together in a tea, this combination is suitable for symptoms such as mild epigastric pain, poor appetite, dry retching, and hiccups caused by yin deficiency of the spleen and stomach. By nourishing stomach yin and harmonizing the flow of qi in the spleen and stomach, it alleviates stomach discomfort, promotes appetite recovery, and improves spleen and stomach function.

5. Clearing the Mind and Relieving Irritability: Ophiopogon enters the heart meridian and can clear heart fire and nourish yin. Licorice harmonizes qi circulation and calms the mind. When used together in a tea, this combination is suitable for symptoms such as irritability, insomnia, palpitations, restlessness, and irritability caused by heart yin deficiency and excessive heart fire. By clearing heart fire and nourishing heart blood, it helps calm the mind, reduce irritability, and improve sleep quality.

When using Ophiopogon and Licorice to make tea, attention should also be paid to contraindications and precautions. For example, individuals with excessive dampness presenting as abdominal distension or edema should not consume excessive amounts. Diabetic patients should use Licorice cautiously. Long-term and indiscriminate consumption should be avoided, and usage should strictly follow medical advice to ensure safety and effectiveness.