Evidence supporting the use of: Ophiopogon
For the health condition: Constipation (children)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Ophiopogon japonicus (commonly known as Mai Men Dong in Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM) has a long-standing traditional use for various respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions, including constipation, especially in children. In TCM, Ophiopogon is believed to "nourish yin," "moisten dryness," and thus is used in formulas to address constipation resulting from dryness or yin deficiency. Classical texts and modern TCM practice reference Mai Men Dong as part of multi-herb prescriptions to gently lubricate the intestines, soften stools, and relieve mild constipation. However, scientific studies directly investigating the efficacy of Ophiopogon japonicus for pediatric constipation are limited. Most clinical and pharmacological research has focused on its use for cough, inflammation, and cardiovascular support rather than its laxative properties. The evidence for its use in constipation management is thus primarily based on traditional texts and empirical use rather than controlled clinical trials or established pharmacological mechanisms relevant to bowel motility. As a single herb, it is rarely used alone for constipation but more often as a supportive component in broader TCM formulas. In summary, while Ophiopogon is traditionally used to support the treatment of constipation in children, robust scientific validation is currently lacking, and its use is best understood within the framework of traditional herbal medicine systems rather than modern clinical evidence.
Other ingredients used for Constipation (children)
2'-FucosyllactoseAgar
Alexandrian senna
Allium tuberosum
Almond fruit
Aloe vera
Aloin
alpinia galangal
Amomum
Amor seco
anise
anthraquinone
apple
Appleblossom Cassia
apricot
arabinoxylan
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asteraceae
atractylodes
atractylone
Bacillus
bacillus coagulans
bacteria
bael
bamboo
basil
Bassia scoparia
bee products
beet
belleric myrobalan
Bidens pilosa
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black salt
black seed
blackberry
blackboard tree
blueberry
Bombax
borassus palm
borneol
bottle gourd
bran
Broussonetia
butternut
bасора
cabbage
cactus
cantaloupe
carrot
cascara sagrada
cascaroside
castor oil
Celosia
chamomile
Chenopodium
chicory
chirata
Chondrus
cinnamon
Citrus
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clostridium butyricum
coconut
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
cucumber
Curcuma
currant
curry leaf
Cyclanthera pedata
Cynomorium
date
dianthrone
dioscorea
dodder
Eclipta
fennel
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fig
Frangula
fructan
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
galactomannan
galactooligosaccharides
Galangal
Glucofrangulin
grape
green banana
guar gum
Guava
honey
hydroxyanthracene derivatives
Hydroxycellulose
Hygrophila
Indian bael
Indian kinotree
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Jalap
jujube
jungli-bean
karaya gum
Kefir
lactitol
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactococcus rhamnosus
lemon
ligustilides
lodhtree
long pepper
luffa
Methylcellulose
Moringa
Mucilage
Mugwort
Myrobalan
Nettle
nut grass
Nutmeg
Nymphaea nouchali
Oligosaccharides
Operculina turpethum
Ophiopogon
orange
Oryza sativa
Osmanthus
Palmyra
papaya
peach
pear
Phaeophyceae
phellodendron amurense
Phyllanthus
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
Plantago
plum fruit
Polygonum
polyphenols
polysaccharides
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
probiotics
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
punarnava
Pyrrosia
raspberry
Rhamnus nakaharai
rhizome
rhubarb
ricinoleic acid
root tuber
Rubiaceae
seaweed
senna
Sennosides
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Sicklepod
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Solanum indicum
soursop
spinach
squawvine
streptococcus thermophilus
Sulfated polysaccharide
sweet flag
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tea
Triphala
turmeric
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
Watermelon
Wax Gourd
Wheat
Yacon
Yerba buena
Zedoary
Zingerone
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Ophiopogon
Abdominal PainAppetite (deficient)
Asthma
Bronchitis
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chest Pain
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestive Heart Failure
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Fatigue
Gastritis
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Inflammation
Insomnia
Kidney Stones
Menopause
Nausea and Vomiting
Nephritis
