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「A pillow of fresh breeze is worth a thousand coins, yet no one is willing to buy the northern window’s sleep. Enjoying a warm stomach with Mai Men Dong tea, you know it was personally brewed by Dongpo.」
《Awakened from sleep, I heard of Mi Yuanzhang’s (米元章) fame;With heat rising, I go to Dongyuan (东园) to deliver Mai Men Dong (麦门冬) tea. A comforting brew, warm and soothing, from the hands of Dongpo (苏轼).》
This poem by the great Northern Song Dynasty literati Su Shi reflects his concern for his friend Mi Yuanzhang’s health. Knowing that his friend was feeling overheated and uncomfortable, Su Shi chose to prepare Mai Men Dong tea himself to provide immediate relief. This act highlights the efficacy of the medicine, showing that even a renowned figure like Su Dongpo held it in high regard.
According to the Taiwan Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 4th edition (https://reurl.cc/pZdMjx), Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Men Dong) is the dried tuberous root of the Liliaceae plant Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker Gawl. Commonly known as “Mai Men Dong,” it is usually harvested in the summer. After cleaning, it is sun-dried until about 80% dry, then the fibrous roots are removed before final drying for storage. It is primarily produced in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangxi, Anhui, Hunan, and Hubei provinces, with some cultivation in Taiwan. The variety from Zhejiang is often called “Zhe Mai Dong” or “Hang Mai Dong,” while that from Sichuan is known as “Chuan Mai Dong.”
Due to its resemblance to chives, it has several nicknames like “Horse Chive” and “Sheep Chive.” Because it can survive winter, it is also called “Winter Endurance” and “Immortal Herb.” Its ease of growth has led to the name “Front Step Grass.” High-quality medicinal Ophiopogonis Radix typically has a dry appearance, plump and fine texture, yellow-white color, semi-transparent nature, a fragrant smell, and a sticky taste when chewed. The term “heart” refers to the central part of the tuber, differing in shape and texture from the surrounding areas. The exact nature of the “heart” varies depending on the plant source, with Ophiopogonis Radix having a central column as its primary characteristic.
Mai Men Dong is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb known for its properties of clearing heat, nourishing yin, and moistening dryness. It is typically used to treat symptoms such as internal heat due to yin deficiency, dry cough with thick phlegm, and rebellious qi. In Chinese medical prescriptions, the term “Er Dong” often refers to both Mai Men Dong and Tian Men Dong. While both herbs can nourish the stomach and generate fluids, Tian Men Dong is more effective for nourishing lung yin and treating cough, whereas Mai Men Dong is more effective for conditions of insufficient stomach yin and excessive internal heat.
According to the 4th edition of the Taiwan Herbal Pharmacopoeia, the primary functions of Mai Men Dong include nourishing yin, moistening the lungs, relieving cough, eliminating phlegm, benefiting the stomach, generating fluids, and calming the heart to alleviate irritability.
Current research indicates that the ancient medicinal Mai Men Dong has more than one botanical source, including species from both the Ophiopogon and Liriope genera. Commonly used formulations that include Mai Men Dong are Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang, Mai Men Dong Tang, and Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin. The Taiwan Herbal Pharmacopoeia primarily documents Ophiopogon species as the source of Mai Men Dong, while the Chinese Pharmacopoeia also includes dried tuberous roots from Liriope species, listed separately as “Shan Mai Dong” to distinguish between the two.
Different preparation methods for Mai Men Dong are used depending on clinical requirements, with ancient texts specifying variations such as Mai Dong (core removed), Mai Dong (without core), or Mai Dong (core removed, roasted). Modern research shows that the components of Mai Men Dong flesh and core are largely similar. The effectiveness of the decoction largely depends on whether the surface of the herb is broken, suggesting that cutting the herb to slightly flatten and break the skin is an effective preparation method.
In the market, you can usually find both Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus) and Shan Mai Dong (Liriope spicata), and there are several key differences between the two:
- Length: Mai Men Dong is also called “Cun Dong” because its length does not exceed one inch. If it exceeds one inch, it might be the shorter-stemmed Shan Mai Dong from the north.
- Surface Color: Mai Men Dong typically has a yellow-white or light yellow color, whereas Shan Mai Dong has a light yellow to brownish-yellow color.
- Surface Features: Mai Men Dong has fine longitudinal wrinkles, while Shan Mai Dong has coarser longitudinal wrinkles.
- Cross-section: The cross-section of Mai Men Dong is yellow-white and semi-transparent, while Shan Mai Dong’s cross-section is white and keratin-like.
- Breaking Point: When broken, Shan Mai Dong has a relatively smooth break, while Mai Men Dong, with its prominent woody core, does not break easily, and the new break is often uneven.
- Taste: Shan Mai Dong is sweet without bitterness, whereas Mai Men Dong is sweet with a hint of bitterness.
To further verify if the herb is indeed Mai Men Dong and to assess its quality:
- Color and Smell: Inferior Mai Men Dong may appear brown or have a rancid smell.
- Texture: High-quality Mai Men Dong should be soft and flexible, cuttable with a fingernail. If it is hard and only breaks under significant pressure, use a magnifying glass to check for small white granules, which could indicate weight-enhancing additives.
- Root Hairs: A high amount of root hairs indicates an inferior product.
By using these methods, you can differentiate between Mai Men Dong and Shan Mai Dong and ensure you select a high-quality product.
Overall, Mai Men Dong is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb, especially in the current era of Long COVID, where the virus has caused lung damage. Given its functions of nourishing yin and moistening dryness, the demand for Mai Men Dong is expected to continue to increase. Additionally, Taiwan’s regulatory authorities have detailed the standard limits for sulfur dioxide and heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead, ensuring that the public can use it safely.
[Image Courtesy] Professor Zhang Xianzhe, “Illustrated Encyclopedia of Authentic Chinese Medicinal Materials.