Mai Men Dong Tang
Star麦门冬汤 (Ophiopogonis Decoction)
Source: Jin Kui Yao Lue (c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Mai Men Dong Tang (Ophiopogonis Decoction), from the Jin Kui Yao Lue, is used to nourish the Stomach and generate body fluid; direct rebellious Stomach-Qi downward.
Presentation: Qi and Yin deficiency of Stomach and Lung with flaring empty-fire; cough; spitting of saliva; dry mouth; wheezing; shortness of breath; dry, uncomfortable sensation in the throat; tongue: red with a thin coating; pulse: thready and rapid.
Syndrome: Syndrome of dryness in the Stomach and Large Intestine.
Composition strategy:
- Tonifies Stomach Yin directly and indirectly (tonify Qi to generate Yin).
- Strengthens the Middle-Jiao to harmonize Qi of the Middle- and Upper-Jiao.
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 356.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mai Men Dong
as printed: Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis radix)
|
35g | 61.4% | Jun (Chief) | nourish Yin and moisten Lung, Heart and Stomach (very large dose) |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Ginseng radix)
|
6g | 10.53% | Chen (Deputy) | strongly tonify Qi to generate Yin |
|
Jing Mi
printed as 'non-glutinous rice' (no Latin name); as printed: Jing Mi
|
5g | 8.77% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonify Middle-Jiao Qi |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Jujubae fructus)
|
4pieces | 100% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonify Middle-Jiao; help generate Stomach-Yin |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae radix)
|
6g | 10.53% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonify Middle-Jiao; help generate Stomach-Yin |
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Pinelliae rhizoma)
|
5g | 8.77% | Zuo (Assistant) | direct Stomach-Qi downwards |
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
Lung and stomach yin are moistened while rebellious qi is directed down, the dry herb kept from injuring fluids by the moist one.
Cough and counterflow from Lung and Stomach yin deficiency. Ban Xia is used processed; the raw herb is toxic.
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net cool (-1.04)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 61%, neutral 19%, warm 19%.
Taste
- pungent 9%
- sweet 55%
- bitter 36%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Spleen 100%
- Stomach 90%
- Heart 83%
- Kidney 11%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Da Zao.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Decoction divided into four portions, three by day and one at night; today 3-4 jujubes are used instead of 12.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 670.
Relationships
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Formula family
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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