Herb Formulas Notebook

Mai Men Dong Tang

Ophiopogonis Decoction


Author: Zhang Zhong-Jing, 張仲景

Year: c. 220

Source: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (Jin Gui Yao Lue, 金匱要略)


Category: Formulas that Treat Dryness

Pattern: Lung Yin deficiency due to Stomach Heat

Key Symptoms: Cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing up of phlegm that is difficult to expectorate or spitting of saliva, dry uncomfortable sensation in the throat, dry mouth, heat of the palms and soles

Tongue: Dry, red with little coating
Pulse: Deficient, radid


Ingredients

Mai Men Dong 15-64g
Ren Shen 9g
Zhi Ban Xia 6-9g
Jing Mi 6-15g
Gan Cao 6g
Da Zao 4pc


Preparation: Decoction.


Actions: Benefits the Stomach, generates fluids, directs rebellious Qi Downward

Contraindications: Dampness or Lung atrophy due to deficiency Cold. Caution in high fever and irritability.



Notes:
One liang is taken as 3g in modern sources but in Eastern Han times it was equivalent to 13.875g. This means that the dosages in classical formulae could have been more than 4x what is given today making them far higher than recommended safe dosages today but prompts consideration of what an effective dose may be (He, 2013).



Research Links:



Reference Notes: (click to display)

These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted.