Lilyturf
Evidence: MixedUseful mainly for no well-established standalone clinical use; traditional use for dryness and dry cough.
Quick decision guide
May help most
no well-established standalone clinical use; traditional use for dryness and dry cough
Common dosing range
No standardized supplement dose established
When to expect effects
Unclear
Watch out for
Human evidence is largely from multi-herb TCM formulas, not lilyturf alone
What is it
Lilyturf refers to the tuberous roots of Ophiopogon japonicus (mai men dong) and related Liriope species, used in traditional Chinese medicine for dry cough and 'yin deficiency' with dryness. Its constituents include steroidal saponins (ophiopogonins) and polysaccharides studied in the lab.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Evidence | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dry cough / mucosal dryness | Mixed Evidence | Unclear | not established | Unclear |
Evidence for 1 use
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
dry cough / mucosal dryness
Mechanism onlyLilyturf is a traditional remedy for dryness-related dry cough, and laboratory studies of its ophiopogonins and polysaccharides report anti-inflammatory and mucosal effects. Human evidence comes mainly from multi-herb formulas rather than lilyturf alone, so a standalone clinical effect is unproven.
Bottom line: Any benefit for dry cough rests on tradition, lab data, and combination formulas, not on trials of lilyturf by itself.
How to take it
- Typical dose
- No standardized dose established
- Timing
- Per traditional preparation or product label
- With food
- With food
- How long to try
- Not established
What to track
- Throat/airway dryness
- Cough frequency
Safety
Common side effects
Not well characterized
Who should avoid it
- Pregnant or breastfeeding people
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Avoid — no adequate safety data in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Choosing a product
Look for
- Species identified (Ophiopogon japonicus or Liriope)
- Root tuber as the plant part, with extract details
Be skeptical of
- 'Cures cough'
- 'Proven respiratory remedy'
References by claim
Track Lilyturf with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.