Mai Men Dong Tang麦门冬汤

Ophiopogon Decoction

Treating Dryness 治燥剂Enrich Yin and Moisten Dryness 滋阴润燥

Ingredients6 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

麦Mai Men Dong麦门冬Ophiopogonis Radix42g君 ChiefMoistens the Lung and Stomach in a dose large enough to set the character of the whole formula 半Zhi Ban Xia半夏Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum6g佐 AssistantTurns rebellious qi downward and loosens sticky phlegm; its drying nature is held in check by the surrounding moisture 人Ren Shen人参Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma9g臣 DeputyAugments qi so that fluids have a source 甘Zhi Gan Cao甘草Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata6g佐使 Assistant–EnvoyMoistens the throat and harmonizes the other herbs

粳Geng Mi粳米Oryzae Semen3g佐 AssistantNourishes Stomach qi and steadies the middle burner

大Da Zao大枣Jujubae Fructus4枚佐 AssistantSupports the middle burner and softens the decoction

Indications

Nourishes the Stomach and moistens the LungDirects rebellious qi downwardAugments qi and generates fluids

Lung and Stomach yin deficiency with qi and fire rebelling upward: the fluids that should moisten the throat are gone, and the Stomach qi has lost its downward direction. Moistening is the root of the treatment; descending the qi is what allows the moistening to hold.

Clinical Manifestations

Dry cough with scanty, sticky sputum
Hoarseness and a raw, dry throat
Sensation of qi rushing up into the throat
Hiccup or dry retching from Stomach yin deficiency
Lingering cough after a febrile illness

TongueRed and dry with scant coating

PulseFrail and rapid

Health Categories

Digestive HealthRespiratory Health

Modern Applications

Chronic dry cough Post-infectious cough Hoarseness Gastro-oesophageal reflux Dry mouth Atrophic gastritis

Common adjustments

Stomach yin badly depleted, with retching — add Shi Hu 石斛 and Yu Zhu 玉竹
Cough entirely dry, throat raw — add Bei Sha Shen 北沙参 and keep the Ban Xia at its smallest useful dose
Blood-streaked sputum — add Bai Mao Gen 白茅根 and Ou Jie 藕节

Contraindications

Not for cough from wind-cold, nor for damp-phlegm cough with copious thin white sputum — a sweet moistening formula will hold such phlegm in place. The proportion is part of the prescription: cutting the Mai Men Dong while keeping the Ban Xia turns the formula drying and defeats its purpose.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Generally compatible under practitioner supervision. The formula contains prepared Ban Xia, which is used in pregnancy only when clearly indicated and only in processed form — that judgement belongs to the treating practitioner.

References

Source Jin Gui Yao Lue 《金匮要略》 · Eastern Han

「大逆上气，咽喉不利，止逆下气者，麦门冬汤主之。」
— 《金匮要略》(classical source, public domain)

Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— pattern analysis cross-checked.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.