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Two Formulas with Ophiopogon: Maimendong Tang & ZhuyeShigao Tang

By Gory ⋅ May 1, 2009 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Maimendong tang (麦门冬汤)

This Shanghanlun formula boosts Lung-Stomach yin. But it also downbears counterflow qi  – mainly in the lungs e.g. cough and panting from feiwei (肺痿), for which it is indicated. That said, we also see how it’s a cooling formula for the Stomach qi counterflow.

• 麦门冬 70g
• 半夏 10g
• 人参 6g
• 大枣 4
• 粳米 5g
• 甘草 6g

We see that the formula resembles yiwei tang (益胃汤) from wenbing tiaobian (温病条辨). Or you could say that yiwei tang was inspired by maimendong tang. Whichever the case, we can see the maimendong (麦门冬) as the main yin booster here. Pinella is for counterflow qi. The rest are to keep the stomach qi intact.

Take note of the small amounts of pinella (半夏) used – 1/7th the amount of maimendong (麦门冬). This is so that it can help downbear the counterflow qi without allowing its warm nature to damage yin-fluids even more.

Zhuye shigao tang (竹叶石膏汤)

This formula is also from the Shanghanlun. Suitable in treating the tail end of a heat warm disease, it is a precursor to the famous shashen maidong tang (沙参麦冬汤).

• 竹叶 6g
• 石膏 50g
• 麦门冬 20g
• 半夏 9g
• 人参 6g
• 粳米 10g
• 甘草 6g

Here, we need not keep to maimendong tang’s 7:1 ratio of ophiopogon and pinella. The heat of pinella is more than compensated by the cooling nature of zhuye (竹叶) and shigao (石膏). Note too that the tail end of the disease is marked by nausea, whereas in shashen maidong tang this is not an issue.

Note too that zhuye shigao tang does not contain the dates (大枣). This is not such a huge issue but still worth noting.

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