Ingredient Name: Creeping Liriope Root Tuber, Ophiopogon japonicus tuber, fountain plant root, monkey grass root

Traditional Chinese Name: 麥冬 (mài dōng)

• The dried root of the orphiopogon japonicus plant (which is a native plant to Japan)
• The dried tubers are slightly translucent in color and beige when processed and often 1.5-3 cm in length with varying thicknesses
• They are usually extracted in the summer, cleaned and dried
• A known and common Chinese herb (medicine) that is considered cool, sweet and slightly bitter in taste
  
• Excellent for removing heatiness from the body and targets the heart, spleen, stomach and lungs
• Can be used in porridge, soups, medicinal drinks, and creams
  

How do I prepare it?

• Rinse in warm water before usage to ensure all dirt and soil is removed

Where can I buy this?

Most herbal shops will carry this
Wet marts in Hong Kong will also sometimes carry this

What is the cost?

• Relatively affordable

Any benefits?

• Excellent for reducing heatiness in the body and clearing toxins
• Ideal for soup and drink compositions that remove fire from the body
• Great for healing the throat and lungs and provides benefits to these bodily functions (ie: sore throats, coughing)
• Nourishes the Yin
• Helps remove excess phlegm
• Assists with constipation

Any precautions?

• As it is mild cooling, pregnant women in their first trimester should take caution as cooling ingredients can cause contractions
• Has a distinct pungent smell

Any additional information?

• Store in a cool, dry place
• Good for use up to 6 months

Resources

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiopogon_japonicus