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Ophiopogon Root
Ophiopogon Root
麦門冬
Market name:麦門冬
Photo location:Museum of Materia Medica, Inst. of Nat. Med.
TMPW No.:194
Ophiopogon japonicus (Ophiopogon ohwii)
Plant name:Ophiopogon japonicus (Ophiopogon ohwii)
Photo location:Sichuan Prov., China
Photo date:2002
Photographer:K. Komatsu

Synonym  
Latin name Ophiopogonis Radix
Botanical source: Family name Liliaceae
Botanical source: Plant name Ophiopogon japonicus Ker Gawler (IPNI:429781-1)
Part used Enlarged part of the root
Empirical criteria for quality selection Good one is enlarged, rich in moisture, pale yellow and heavy (TN).
Constituents Monosaccharides:
Sucrose, D-Fructose, D-Glucose

Oligosaccharides:
Oligosaccharide

Sterols:
β-Sitosterol, β-Sitosterol-β-D-glucoside, Stigmasterol

Steroid saponins & Sapogenins:
Ophiopogonin A, Ophiopogonin B, Ophiopogonin C, Ophiopogonin D, Ophiopogonin B', Ophiopogonin C', Ophiopogonin D'

Neoflavanoids & Homoisoflavonoids:
Ophiopogonone A, Ophiopogonone B, Methylophiopogonone A, Methylophiopogonone B, Ophiopogonanone A, Methylophiopogonanone A, Methylophiopogonanone B
Pharmacological effects Hypoglycemic (water extract). Antiinflammatory (ethanol extract).
Indications As a mucous and synovial antiinflammatory drug, tonic, antitussive, expectorant, diuretic, for strengthening the constitution, it is applied to treat nourish the stomach, to remove reversed flow of qi and to relieve feeling of hot flushes. It has a strong cardiotonic and diuretic effects for the one who has a hot flush tendency.
Diseases Dry cough, Few sputum, Thirst, Lack of energy, Weak pulse, Malaise, Insomnia, Fret, Constipation
Formulas unkeito , kamishimotsuto , kanroin , gedaishimotsutokami , shakanzoto , shin'iseihaito , jiinkokato , jiinshihoto , seikiankaito , seishoekkito , seishinrenshiin , seijokentsuto , seinetsuhokito , seinetsuhoketsuto , seihaito , chikujountanto , chikuyosekkoto , chotosan , bakumondoto , fuhishomyakusan , hokikenchuto , hohaito , mibakujiogan
Meridian tropism Heart, Lung, Stomach
Property Slightly cold
Flavor Sweet, Slightly bitter
Classification in "Shen-non Ben-cao Jing" Superior
TCM: Classification Tonics
TCM: Medicinal effects To nourish yin and promote the production of body fluid, to moisten the lung, and to ease the mind.
Used for dry cough, phthisical cough, thirst due to impairment of body fluid, fidgetiness and insomnia, diabetes caused by internal heat, constipation, diphtheria.
Remarks Listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia 18th ed.
References TN: T. Namba & Y. Tsuda ed., Outline of Pharmacognosy, a Textbook, 3rd ed., Nankodo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, 1998.
DNA sequences of medicinal plants
Gene Region
Nuclear Chloroplast Mitochondria
Botanical source: Plant name 5Ss 18S ITS1 5.8S ITS2 26S others trnH-psbA matK trnK trnK-rps16 trnT-L trnL trnL-F rbcL rpoC1 ndhF others
Ophiopogon japonicus Ker Gawler (IPNI:429781-1)
 

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Section of Pharmacognosy,
Division of Medicinal Resources,
Department of Research and Development,
Institute of Natural Medicine,
University of Toyama
2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194 Japan
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