Ophiopogon
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Ophiopogon is a genus of herbaceous perennials in the family Ruscaceae, formerly classified with the Liliaceae. There are about 20 species, native to east, southeast, and south Asia. They grow from short rhizomes, and bear tufts of leaves, from which flowers emerge in racemes held on short stems above the leaves. Some species such as Ophiopogon japonicus and Ophiopogon planiscapus are used as ground cover plants.
In Chinese medicine the tuber of Ophiopogon japonicus, known as mai men dong, is the cardinal herb for yin deficiency. According to the Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, the herb is sweet, slightly bitter and slightly cold, enters the Heart, Lung and Stomach channels and nourishes the yin of the Stomach, Spleen, Heart and Lungs and clears heat and quiets irritability. It is used for hacking dry coughs, dry tongue and mouth and constipation. Liriope (genus) is used as a substitute.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica Third Edition by Daniel Bensky, Steven Clavey, Erich Stoger and Andrew Gamble. Eastland Press, 2004
