Ophiopogon Root
Ophiopogon japonicus
Mai dong, the small tuberous roots of a clumping plant, and one of the three herbs in the classical Chinese heart formula sheng mai. Its main compound has been studied in the lab and in animals.
Safety at a glance
- PregnancyNothing recorded
- BreastfeedingNothing recorded
- MedicinesNothing recorded
- Who should avoid itNothing recorded
- AllergiesNothing recorded
- ToxicityNothing recorded
Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.
What is Ophiopogon Root?
- Plant family
- Asparagaceae, the asparagus family
- Parts used
- The small, light brownish-yellow tuberous roots
- Genus
- Ophiopogon
- Species
- japonicus
Also called
Dwarf Lilyturf, Ophiopogonis Radix, Ophiopogon
Traditional names
Mai Dong, Maidong
Traditionally used for
- Qi and yin tonic in sheng mai (traditional)
- Heart symptoms (traditional)
Traditionally described as
- Protected the heart (in lab and animal studies)
Health topics
Where Ophiopogon Root appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Eczema
A skin product with ophiopogon extract reduced eczema severity and flare-ups in one trial.
Traditions that use it
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
Called mai dong; one of the three herbs in the classical formula sheng mai, used to "supplement qi and yin".
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
Ophiopogon root, called mai dong in Chinese, is one of the three herbs in sheng mai, a classical Chinese formula first written down about 1,000 years ago. With ginseng and schisandra, it's used to "supplement qi and yin" and to ease symptoms linked to irregular heartbeat and heart failure.[1]Review or trial
Laboratory & animal research
Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.
Ophiopogonin D, a main compound of the root, has been studied in lab and animal research. It may help reduce inflammation, slowed cancer cells, and protected the heart, blood vessels, liver and bones. These effects haven't been confirmed in people.[2]Study
Research in people
In a 2019 European trial, 90 children and 144 adults with mild to moderate atopic eczema applied a skin product containing sugars extracted from ophiopogon root, or a dummy product, twice a day for 60 days. The ophiopogon product reduced eczema severity, redness and itching, improved quality of life, and fewer people had flare-ups. The trial was single-blind.[3]Study
Sources
- [1] Effectiveness and Safety of Shengmai San for Viral Myocarditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials · DOI: 10.1155/2024/2127018Review or clinical trial
- [2] Ophiopogonin D: review of pharmacological activity · DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1401627Peer-reviewed study
- [3] Clinical Efficacy of Oligofructans from Ophiopogon japonicus in Reducing Atopic Dermatitis Flare-ups in Caucasian Patients · DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3224Peer-reviewed study
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.