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

Sep 04, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

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.

Generally, Ophiopogon japonicus (MJ) can be combined with honeysuckle, Scrophularia ningpoensis (SM), Polygonatum sibiricum (PS), Siraitia grosvenorii (SG), Platycodon grandiflorum (PG), and other herbs to assist in the management of chronic pharyngitis. The specific combinations should be selected according to individual symptoms. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. MJ combined with honeysuckle: MJ nourishes yin, promotes body fluid production, moistens the lungs, and benefits the throat, while honeysuckle clears heat, detoxifies, and disperses wind-heat. This combination is suitable for chronic pharyngitis accompanied by a dry, sore throat and mild redness and swelling. It addresses both yin nourishment and heat-clearing, thereby relieving throat discomfort.

2. MJ combined with SM: MJ nourishes lung yin, while SM clears heat, benefits the throat, improves voice, and moistens the larynx. This combination is suitable for individuals experiencing hoarseness, throat dryness, and difficulty speaking due to chronic pharyngitis, helping to improve vocal cord and throat mucosa conditions.

3. MJ combined with PS: Both herbs have the effects of nourishing yin, relieving dryness, promoting body fluid production, and alleviating thirst. Combined, they enhance the effect of nourishing yin and moistening the lungs. This combination is suitable for symptoms of chronic pharyngitis such as throat dryness, dry cough with little phlegm, and dry mouth and throat, especially suitable for individuals with yin deficiency constitution.

4. MJ combined with SG: MJ moistens the lungs and promotes body fluid production, while SG clears heat, moistens the lungs, benefits the throat, and improves voice. Together, they are suitable for individuals with chronic pharyngitis experiencing a burning sensation in the throat, dry cough, and a foreign body sensation in the throat. Symptoms can be relieved by drinking the infused water.

5. MJ combined with PG: MJ nourishes yin and soothes the throat, while PG ventilates the lungs, benefits the throat, removes phlegm, and expels pus. This combination is suitable for chronic pharyngitis accompanied by phlegm in the throat, difficulty expectorating, and a feeling of fullness and tightness in the throat. It helps resolve phlegm, soothe the throat, and relieve the sticky discomfort in the throat.

Using MJ in combination with other herbs for managing chronic pharyngitis serves only as an adjunct and cannot replace medication. The combinations should be chosen according to individual symptoms. Individuals with yin deficiency and fire hyperactivity should avoid combining MJ with warming ingredients, and those with spleen-stomach deficiency and cold should avoid excessive consumption.

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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 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.

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Can Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor) be eaten by chewing?

Under normal circumstances, Ophiopogon japonicus (Mai Dong) can be consumed by chewing, as this method better preserves its nutrients. However, it should be taken in moderation and adjusted according to individual body constitution, as excessive chewing is not suitable for everyone. In daily life, it is recommended to chew 2–3 pieces at a time, and consuming it with warm water aids digestion. Individuals with yin deficiency and body fluid depletion, or those who frequently experience dry mouth, may appropriately increase the frequency of consumption.