Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Ophiopogon japonicus (commonly known as Mai Men Dong in Traditional Chinese Medicine) has a long history of use in East Asian herbal medicine for the treatment of cough and related respiratory conditions. In traditional practice, Ophiopogon is used to "nourish yin," "moisten the lungs," and relieve dry or persistent coughs, especially those associated with yin deficiency or dryness. Historical medical texts, such as the Shennong Bencao Jing and later materia medica, describe its use for "clearing heat" and "generating fluids," both of which are considered helpful for coughs that are dry or irritative in nature.

With respect to scientific evidence, some modern pharmacological studies have investigated Ophiopogon extracts for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, which may theoretically contribute to cough relief. However, robust clinical trials specifically evaluating its efficacy for cough in humans are limited. Most available evidence comes from animal studies or in vitro research, which show that Ophiopogon may help reduce airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion. Despite these findings, the direct translation to clinical effectiveness in treating cough is still pending further high-quality human studies.

In summary, the use of Ophiopogon for cough is primarily justified by a strong tradition of use, supported by some preliminary pharmacological evidence but lacking substantial clinical trial validation.

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