Ophiopogon tuber

麥冬

nourishes yinmoistens the lungs養陰生津潤肺清心除煩

The small fleshy tuber of Ophiopogon japonicus, sold as ivory spindle-shaped pieces the size of a grain of puffed rice. Chewy and faintly sweet, it simmers uncomplainingly for hours and adds a soft, moistening sweetness to clear tonic broths.

TCM properties

Nature · cooling　Flavour · sweet、bitter　Meridians · heart、lung、stomach

Traditional food therapy

In the tradition it is the moistener for heart and lungs, brewed to nourish yin, generate fluids and ease dry-season fretfulness.

Cautions — read first

Take care with a cold of the wind cold type, a phlegm damp cough, or a weak spleen with loose stools

Preparation

Soak and rinse. It stands up to long boiling.

Origin · Geo-authentic (道地) source

四川三台（川麥冬）／浙江（浙麥冬）

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$11.99–11.99 / 100g
Heng Hui Premium Radix Ophiopogonis 80g $9.59

Pairs well with

American ginseng Dendrobium stem Glehnia root Solomon's seal rhizome

Soups that use this ingredient · 2

Pseudostellaria (prince ginseng) and ophiopogon soup with lean porkA$8–10

太子參麥冬瘦肉湯

replenishes qinourishes yinstrengthens the spleenAll year

百子櫃Prince ginseng· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Ophiopogon tuber· 12 g (3 mace)百子櫃Dried Chinese yam· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Dried fig· 3街市Lean pork· 225 g

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Dried conch slice soup with Solomon's seal and ophiopogonA$26–29

響螺片玉竹麥冬瘦肉湯

nourishes yinsupports the kidneyssoothes the liver3h slow fireAutumnWinter

百子櫃Dried sea whelk slices· 40 g (1 tael)百子櫃Solomon's seal rhizome· 40 g (1 tael)百子櫃Ophiopogon tuber· 20 g百子櫃Dried Chinese yam· 40 g (1 tael)百子櫃Goji berry / wolfberry· 12 g街市Lean pork· 300 g… +2

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”