Mai Men Dong Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
麦门冬汤 · Mài Mén Dōng Tāng
A Jin Gui formula for Lung and Stomach Yin deficiency with rebellious Qi, presenting with short, dry cough, phlegm that is hard to expectorate, dry throat and nausea or vomiting of foam.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Yin-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Yin Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Nourish Lung-Stomach Yin, descend rebellious Qi
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Enrich Yin of the Lung and Stomach and direct counterflow downward
- Classical Source
- Jin Gui Yao Lue (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A Jin Gui formula for Lung and Stomach Yin deficiency with rebellious Qi, presenting with short, dry cough, phlegm that is hard to expectorate, dry throat and nausea or vomiting of foam.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for dry cough with foamy sputum and nausea from Lung-Stomach Yin deficiency — combining moistening with descending, rather than pure dryness-clearing or pure Kidney-nourishing formulas.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
使EnvoyGuides and harmonises
甘草Gan Cao6g
Licorice Root- harmonizes the other medicinals
粳米Jing Mi15g
Non-glutinous Rice- boosts qi and nourishes the stomach
大棗Da Zao4pcs
Jujube / Chinese Date- harmonizes the other medicinals
Classical Composition
- Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong) 7 sheng (42g)
- Pinelliae Rhizoma (Ban Xia) 1 sheng (6g)
- Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen) 3 liang (9g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan Cao) 2 liang (6g)
- Oryza Sativa L. (Jing Mi) 3 he (3g)
- Jujubae Fructus (Da Zao) 4 pieces
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Clears and nourishes the lung and stomach
- directs counterflow downward and lowers qi.
Indications
- Mai Men Dong Tang is indicated for lung wei (lung atrophy) due to deficiency-heat.
- The symptoms are coughing, labored breathing, throat discomfort, sputum that is difficult to expectorate, coughing up or spitting saliva, dry mouth and throat, feverish feeling in the palms and soles.
- The tongue is red with scanty tongue coating, and the pulse is deficient and rapid. Mai Men Dong Tang is also indicated for stomach yin deficiency with vomiting, poor appetite, hiccup, thirst, dry throat.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is red with scanty tongue coating, and the pulse is deficient and rapid.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This formula treats lung wei due to deficiency-heat which is caused by lung and stomach yin deficiency with upward reversal of qi and fire.
- Although the symptoms are primarily related to the lung, the condition is actually caused by the heat from stomach yin deficiency.
- The earth is the mother of metal and the stomach governs the body fluids.
- Stomach fluid deficiency causes lung fluid deficiency which further develops into both lung and stomach yin-fluid deficiency.
- In the condition of lung and stomach yin deficiency, fluids are scorched by deficiency-fire creating sputum and there is a failure of lung qi to purify.
- This manifests a cough with ascending counterflow qi and spitting up saliva.
- Since the throat is the portal of the lung and stomach, lung and stomach yin deficiency often results in fluid failing to flow upwards; and as a result, patients experience a dry mouth and throat as well as a feverish feeling in the palms and soles due to exuberant internal deficiency-heat.
- Stomach yin deficiency may lead to reversal qi flowing upwards causing vomiting.
Clinical presentation
- The red tongue body with scanty tongue coating and a deficient, rapid pulse are typical signs of yin deficiency with internal heat.
Treatment strategy
- The appropriate therapeutic methods are to clear and nourish the lung and stomach, direct counterflow downward, and lower qi.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Mai Men Dong Tang nourishes Lung-Stomach Yin and descends counterflow. Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang focuses more on dry cough from dryness. Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang clears dryness-heat for diphtheria-type sore throat. Bai He Gu Jin Tang nourishes Lung-Kidney Yin for dry cough with blood-tinged phlegm.
Clinical Differentiation
- Mai Men Dong Tang treats coughing or vomiting caused by lung and stomach yin deficiency with counterflow of the qi dynamic.
- This clinical pattern is marked by coughing or spitting saliva, shortness of breath, labored breathing with rapid and short breath, thirst, vomiting, dry, red tongue body with scanty coating, deficient and rapid pulse.
Safety notes: This formula is moistening. It is not appropriate for damp-phlegm cough or for spleen deficiency with loose stools.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Mai Men Dong Tang?
Mai Men Dong Tang has the actions of nourishing the Lung and Stomach Yin, generating fluids, and directing rebellious Qi downward. It clears deficiency Heat from the Lung and Stomach while restoring the normal descending movement of Qi.
Which modern diseases is Mai Men Dong Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Lung and Stomach Yin deficiency with Qi counterflow, including chronic dry cough or post-infectious cough, chronic pharyngitis with dryness, certain cases of chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis with scanty sticky sputum, and Stomach Yin deficiency presentations such as chronic or atrophic gastritis with dry mouth and mild nausea.
Is Mai Men Dong Tang suitable for improving dry cough with sticky sputum that is hard to expectorate and a dry throat?
For presentations of dry cough or coughing up sticky saliva/foam that is difficult to expectorate, shortness of breath, dry mouth and throat, thirst, possible mild upward rebellion (hiccup or dry heaves), a red tongue with little coating, and a deficient rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Lung-Stomach Yin deficiency with deficiency Heat and Qi counterflow — TCM commonly applies Mai Men Dong Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
Related Products
Nong's Mai Men Dong Tang (Ophiopogon Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Hoi Tin Mai Men Dong Tang (Ophiopogon Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Mai Men Dong Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Lung & Stomach Yin Deficiency with Dry Cough
Bai He Gu Jin Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Lung & Kidney Yin Deficiency with Dryness
Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Lung & Stomach Yin Deficiency & Dryness
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Yin Deficiency, Dry Throat & Lung Heat
Browse all classical formulas →
Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.