Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Ophiopogon root (Ophiopogon japonicus, known as "Mai Men Dong" in Traditional Chinese Medicine) is traditionally used to treat cough, particularly dry or spastic coughs. In TCM, it is believed to nourish yin, moisten the lungs, and clear heat, making it a common remedy for conditions marked by dryness and irritation of the respiratory tract, such as dry cough or throat discomfort. Historical texts such as the "Shennong Bencao Jing" and subsequent materia medica document its use for these symptoms over centuries.

Modern scientific research on Ophiopogon root is limited and mostly preclinical. Some studies have identified saponins and polysaccharides in the root that may possess anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and mild antitussive properties. For example, animal studies have found that ophiopogon extracts can reduce airway inflammation and inhibit cough reflexes in induced cough models. However, these findings are preliminary and there are few, if any, high-quality clinical trials in humans directly assessing its efficacy for spastic cough. Thus, while there is a long-standing traditional basis for its use, the scientific evidence remains modest and not definitive.

In summary, Ophiopogon root's use for cough (spastic) is primarily justified by tradition, with some supporting preclinical data but insufficient clinical validation. It remains a common ingredient in herbal cough formulas in East Asian medicine, especially when dryness and yin deficiency are considered underlying factors.

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