Mai dong / dwarf lilyturf

Ophiopogon japonicus

Other names: 麦冬 / 麥冬 màidōng; 麦门冬 màiméndōng, Mai dong / dwarf lilyturf

Chinese

Photo credit: Shabicht

Toxicity: Generally low-toxicity in traditional use; comprehensive human safety data limited.

Contraindications: Traditionally cautioned in spleen-deficiency with dampness/diarrhea; pregnancy/clinical data limited.

Interactions: Not well characterized.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Data limited.

Evidence level

Preclinical

Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.

decoction · root tuber

Part used: root tuber

Traditional use: nourishing yin, moistening lung, generating fluids, clearing heat-from-deficiency (dry cough, dry-mouth)

Proposed mechanism: steroidal saponins (ophiopogonins), homoisoflavonoids

Evidence:Preclinical

powder · root tuber

Part used: root tuber

Evidence:Traditional (systematized)

Not a nutritional food; steroidal saponins and homoisoflavonoids.

Chinese

Sources (2)

Ophiopogon japonicus (Wikipedia), English, accessed 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiopogon_japonicus
Ophiopogon - Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs, English, https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/ophiopogon