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Prescriptions for Promoting the Production of Body Fluids to Moisten Dryness

Maimendong Tang: Classic TCM Formula

Mai Men Dong Tang 麦门冬汤
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
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Name

Ophiopogon Decoction

The Prescription of Maimendong Tang

Source

The book Jin Gui Yao Lue

Ingredients

Mai Men Dong (Radix Ophiopogonis) 60 g,Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 9 g,Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng) 6 g,Jing Mi (Semen Oryzae Sativae) 6 g,Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) 4 g,Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 3 dates.

Explanation

Mai Dong: The principal drug in larger dose, nourishing Yin of the lung and stomach and clearing fire of deficiency type.

Ban Xia: Checking upward adverse flow of Qi, regulating the function of the stomach and resolving phlegm.

Ren Shen, Jing Mi, Gan Cao and Da Zao: Tonifying the spleen and regulating the stomach, invigorating Qi and promoting the production of body fluid.

The Effect of Maimendong Tang

Effect

Nourishing the lung and stomach, regulating the function of the stomach and checking upward adverse flow of Qi.

Indications

Syndrome due to Yin-deficiency of the lung and stomach, marked by cough, belching, difficulty in expectorating, or frothy expectoration, dry mouth and throat, feverish sensation in the palms and soles, vomiting following belching, reddened tongue with little coating, and weak rapid pulse; including such diseases with the above symptoms as pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis, pleurisy, gastric ulcer, prolapse of gastric mucosa, etc.

Administrations

Decoctect in water for oral dose to be taken twice.

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Sources and further reading

We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.

  • Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
  • Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
  • Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
  • NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.

Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.

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