Mai Men Dong vs Yu Zhu

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Mai Men Dong

Ophiopogon japonicus

Respiratory

Polygonatum odoratum

Respiratory

Mai Men Dong

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Yu Zhu

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Description

Ornamental and medicinal perennial of East Asia; root tubers used in TCM to nourish lung and stomach yin — one of the premier yin-tonifying herbs.

Rhizomatous perennial of Eurasian forests; rhizome used in TCM as yin tonic for lung and stomach — gentler than Huang Jing.

Active Compounds

ophiopogonanone, ruscogenin, steroidal saponins, polysaccharides, flavonoids

polysaccharides, steroidal saponins, alkaloids, azetidin-2-one, flavonoids

Traditional Uses

Lung and stomach yin deficiency in TCM, Dry coughs and thirst, Heart fire conditions, Used in major TCM formulas including Mai Men Dong Tang

Lung and stomach yin deficiency in TCM, Dry coughs and thirst, Yin deficiency with wind-heat, Used in classical yin-nourishing formulas

Modern Uses

Immunomodulatory, Antidiabetic, Anti-inflammatory, Cardioprotective

Antidiabetic, Immunomodulatory, Anti-inflammatory, Cardioprotective

Adult Dosage

6–15 g dried tubers as decoction; 500 mg extract 2x daily

6–12 g dried rhizome as decoction; 500 mg extract 2x daily

Contraindications

Cold-damp conditions in TCM, Diarrhea

Damp-phlegm conditions, Cold digestive weakness

Side Effects

GI upset, Diarrhea in excess

GI upset in damp conditions, Bloating

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E