Ophiopogon
At a glance
- Best for
- no standalone use is supported by good human trials
- Typical dose
- no well-established single-herb clinical dose
- Time to effect
- Not established
- Main caution
- evidence comes mostly from multi-herb formulas and animal models
What is it
Ophiopogon (Ophiopogon japonicus), known as Mai Dong or dwarf lilyturf, is a plant whose tuberous roots are a common ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. It is used traditionally to 'moisten' dryness, for cough, and as part of cardiovascular formulas, and contains saponins (ophiopogonins) and polysaccharides. Almost all supporting evidence is preclinical or from multi-herb formulas rather than the isolated herb.
Is it worth it for you?
Worth considering if…
- You are using it within a clinician-guided traditional formula and accept limited evidence
Probably skip if…
- You want a single-ingredient remedy with proven benefit
- You expect cardiovascular or respiratory treatment effects from the isolated herb
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Evidence | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cardiovascular support (traditional / formula-based) | Mixed Evidence | Not established | none established for the isolated herb | Not established |
Evidence for 1 use
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
cardiovascular support (traditional / formula-based)
Mechanism onlyOphiopogon is a component of traditional cardiovascular formulas (such as Sheng Mai San), and animal and cell studies report antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and myocardial-protective activity for its ophiopogonins and polysaccharides. Human evidence is largely confined to multi-herb formulas, making it impossible to attribute any effect to ophiopogon alone. This is mechanistic and formula-level evidence, not isolated-herb clinical proof.
Bottom line: Cardiovascular use rests on preclinical data and multi-herb formulas, not on the isolated herb.
How to take it
- Typical dose
- No standardized single-herb dose; traditionally used within decoctions/formulas
- Timing
- Not established
- With food
- Not established
- How long to try
- Not established
What to track
- Whatever symptom is targeted
- Any GI upset or interactions
Safety
Common side effects
Generally regarded as well tolerated traditionally, Possible GI upset
Who should avoid it
- Pregnant or breastfeeding people (insufficient data)
- Anyone needing evidence-based treatment
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
No reliable safety data in pregnancy or breastfeeding; avoid medicinal use.
Choosing a product
Look for
- Correct species (Ophiopogon japonicus)
- Named plant part (root/tuber)
- Third-party identity testing
Be skeptical of
- Cardiovascular or heart-disease treatment claims
- Implied proven benefit from the single herb
- 'Yin-tonifying cure-all' marketing
References by claim
Track Ophiopogon 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.