Can Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor) be used to make soup?

Sep 03, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor) can be used for making soup, and is a common medicinal and food homologous ingredient. It can be combined with various ingredients to exert the effect of nourishing yin and promoting body fluid production. However, the dosage and combination should be adjusted according to individual constitution to avoid improper use that may cause discomfort. When making soup in daily life, it is recommended to adjust the combination based on individual constitution; for example, those with cold spleen and stomach can add red dates and longan to neutralize the cold property of Ophiopogon japonicus.

Generally speaking, Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor) can be used to prepare soup and is a common ingredient in both medicinal and dietary applications. It can be combined with various ingredients to promote the production of body fluids and nourish yin. However, its usage and combinations should be adjusted according to individual body constitutions to avoid discomfort caused by improper consumption. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Ophiopogon japonicus has a sweet and slightly bitter taste and is slightly cold in nature. When used in soups, it releases properties that nourish yin, generate body fluids, moisten the lungs, and calm the mind. It pairs well with ingredients such as lean meat, pork ribs, tremella fungus, and lily bulbs. When cooked with meat, it can neutralize some of the greasiness while replenishing body fluids, thereby alleviating symptoms like dry mouth and throat discomfort. When combined with tremella fungus and lily bulbs, it is particularly suitable for individuals suffering from lung dryness, helping to moisturize the lungs and improve dry cough with little phlegm. However, due to its slightly cold nature, excessive use in soup or long-term consumption by individuals with a cold spleen and stomach constitution or those prone to diarrhea may burden the digestive system, leading to discomforts such as abdominal distension and diarrhea.

In daily cooking, it is recommended to adjust the combination based on individual constitution. For example, individuals with a cold spleen and stomach may add red dates or longan to neutralize the cold nature of Ophiopogon japonicus. Each serving should be controlled around 5–8 grams to avoid excessive intake. Properly combining Ophiopogon japonicus in soups can not only enrich the flavor but also exert its nourishing effects, contributing to overall physical well-being.

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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.