Shudai Cao, which has a strong connection with Liu Bei and Su Shi, is about to enter the "same origin of medicine and food" category

June 19, 2024

Ophiopogon japonicus is about to be approved as a medicinal and edible source, with strong market demand and promising prospects in the future.
On April 23, 2024, the National Health Commission issued a solicitation for opinions, soliciting the inclusion of four substances, namely "Ophiopogon japonicus, Rehmannia glutinosa, Citrus reticulata, and Tiandong", in the "Catalogue of Substances that are Traditional Chinese Medicinal Materials and Food".

It means that Ophiopogon japonicus and other three kinds of medicinal materials will soon be added to the list of food and drug substances. After approval, it can not only be used for daily soup, Congee cooking, cooking, etc., but also be developed into various convenient foods commercially, such as drinks, candy, cakes, etc.

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01
The magical and ordinary Ophiopogon japonicus

Maidong, also known as Maimen Dong, has multiple names such as Yanjie Cao (Jiangxi Tongzhi), Jieqian Cao (Gangmu), Shudai Cao, Xiudun Cao (Qunfang Pu), and Jiuye Maidong. The appearance of plant leaves is similar to that of chives, with slender and flat leaves and purple flowers. Its underground spindle shaped small roots are edible.
It is a common Chinese medicinal herb belonging to the lily family. There are mainly two varieties on the market, Sichuan Ophiopogon and Hubei Ophiopogon (also known as Mountain Ophiopogon).
Its dried small roots are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine preparations. Modern research has shown that Ophiopogon japonicus contains various components such as Ophiopogon saponins, Ophiopogon polysaccharides, amino acids, etc. It is listed as a high-quality product in the Shennong Materia Medica Classic.
The small root of "ophiopogon japonicus" is not like the root or fruit in the traditional sense of sweet potato, potato, peanut. It is the expansion form of ophiopogon japonicus root, which is used to store nutrients to resist winter and drought, and cannot grow new ophiopogon japonicus in the next year. This is similar to the principle of nitrogen fixation in leguminous plant nodules, both of which are strategies for plants to adapt to the environment.
Ophiopogon japonicus has strong growth adaptability and is mainly distributed in East China, Central South, Southwest China, with species found in Hebei, Shaanxi, Gansu and other regions. South of the Yangtze River, there is a large amount of cultivation in Zhejiang, Sichuan, Guangxi, Shandong, and Hubei.

It can even be planted as urban green plants, with strong resistance to diseases and pests, fast growth speed, cold and drought resistance, and low maintenance costs. It can not only improve soil, but also contribute to the biodiversity of green belts.

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Maidong has a deep cultural heritage

Maidong has rich cultural connotations. According to the "Ten Continents in the Sea", Guiguzi used Maidong to treat a young man with weak breath. This story has been widely circulated among the people, endowing Ophiopogon japonicus with magical powers.

In addition, Maidong has intricate connections with Shudai Grass. According to "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", Liu Bei's teacher Zheng Xuan was knowledgeable and had many books. He once picked Ophiopogon japonicus near the academy to bind books, so Ophiopogon japonicus was also known as "Shudai Cao" or "Zheng Gongcao". Su Shi once wrote a poem that goes, "There are already books and grass in the courtyard, which makes you suspect that it is Zheng Kangcheng.".

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The Health Value of Ophiopogon japonicus

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition), Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f) Ker Gawl. is a plant of the Liliaceae family Dry root blocks. Summer excavation, washing, repeated exposure to sunlight, stacking, until 70-80% dry, remove roots, and dry. Its taste is sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly cold. Guixin, Lung, and Stomach Meridian.
As early as ancient times, the medicinal value of Ophiopogon japonicus has been recognized by people. According to the "Shennong Bencao Jing", Maidong has the benefit of "taking it for a long time to lighten the body.".
As of now, there are over 10600 research reports on Ophiopogon japonicus on CNKI, and the use of Ophiopogon japonicus as a medicinal herb is part of the inheritance of traditional Chinese medicine culture; Xiaohongshu has over 270000 notes and over 50000 products, mainly sold in the form of original medicinal materials.
In addition to being sold directly as agricultural products and medicinal herbs, Ophiopogon japonicus can also be processed into various traditional Chinese medicine preparations and health foods.
Maidong is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine formulas, such as Shengmai San in Qianjin Fang, Maimen Dong Yin in Waitai Mi Yao, and Maidong Ping Fei Yin in Za Bing Yuan Liu Xi Zhu · Zang Fu Men, all of which are classic formulas mainly made from Maidong.
The formula "Shen Mai San" is mainly composed of Ophiopogon japonicus, supplemented by ginseng, Codonopsis pilosula, and Schisandra chinensis. Later, in order to make the name memorable, it was renamed "Sheng Mai Yin" or "Sheng Mai San", which means to stimulate the pulse and replenish qi while generating blood.
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According to the special food information query of the National Health Commission, there are 247 registered health foods related to Ophiopogon japonicus, mainly related to blood sugar health and throat health. The dosage forms are mainly granules, capsules, and tablets. Commonly used with Ophiopogon japonicus, the medicine and food have the same origin, such as mulberry leaves, kudzu root, platycodon grandiflorum, siraitia grosvenorii, liquorice, honeysuckle, American ginseng, ganoderma lucidum, etc.

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The nutritional application of Ophiopogon japonicus

The charm of Ophiopogon japonicus lies not only in its medicinal value, but also in its delicious food. As a food ingredient, it has long been integrated into people's daily lives, such as Maidong Maogen tea. By boiling Maidong and Baimao roots, adding honey to mix well, it can be made into a health tea that can be consumed throughout the day.
Ophiopogon japonicus has a unique sweet taste and aroma, which can be used to make soup, stew, Congee, etc. In Guangdong region, Maidong soup is considered a nourishing delicacy, especially suitable for consumption in dry autumn. For example, Ophiopogon japonicus can be stewed with pears, rock sugar, etc. to make lung moistening sugar water, suitable for consumption in autumn and winter seasons.
When making Ophiopogon japonicus into ordinary food, its characteristics of nourishing the lungs, supplementing body fluid and nourishing yin can be considered, and it can be used to make tea, Tonic Diet and various functional food.
Maidong has the strength to rely on core single raw materials to create a series of branded products
Maidong has a sweet taste and multiple health benefits, making it suitable for developing into various fast-moving consumer goods. Functional beverages such as Ophiopogon japonicus: ready to drink Ophiopogon japonicus tea, Ophiopogon japonicus juice, and Ophiopogon japonicus coffee; Ophiopogon healthy snacks: Ophiopogon candy or chocolate, Ophiopogon flavored nuts or stir fried goods, etc; Ophiopogon japonicus health food: Ophiopogon japonicus powder or granules; Ophiopogon desserts: Ophiopogon flavored ice cream or yogurt, and Ophiopogon cakes, Ophiopogon substitute drinks, instant Ophiopogon Congee, etc.
When eating Ophiopogon japonicus, avoid eating it together with raw, cold, and hot ingredients. Foods that are more compatible with Ophiopogon japonicus include honey, goji berries, and pears. These ingredients are consistent with Ophiopogon japonicus and have complementary effects.
Ophiopogon japonicus has also been applied in herbal Dietary supplements abroad.
For example, this herbal supplement combines the soothing characteristics of pistil and licorice, the nourishing properties of Ophiopogon japonicus and Platycodon grandiflorus, and the earthy aroma, as well as the spicy flavors of ginger and cinnamon, surrounding the breathing scene.

05
Summary

It is reported that the current supply of Ophiopogon japonicus is far from meeting the demand, which is related to the cultivation of Ophiopogon japonicus. The planting techniques of Ophiopogon japonicus include branch propagation and seed propagation, and the small scale is mainly due to the relatively low degree of mechanization. With the improvement of planting technology and the opening up of applications in the food industry, the yield and scale of Ophiopogon japonicus are expected to be greatly increased, thereby alleviating the supply-demand contradiction and bringing more benefits to farmers.

Maidong is a traditional Chinese plant medicine that not only carries rich cultural connotations, but also has unique health value. It is expected to become a medicinal and edible herb that can more widely assist modern people in their healthy lives. With people's increasing emphasis on health and wellness, as the aging population intensifies, the potential and value of Ophiopogon japonicus are receiving more widespread attention, and the demand for traditional nourishing ingredients such as Ophiopogon japonicus will further increase.

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2024-06-19

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