The difference between Radix Ophiopogonis and Ophiopogon

Radix Ophiopogonis and Radix Ophiopogonis are both Chinese herbal medicines, and their names are familiar to everyone. Some people think that they are the same medicine, but they are called differently. In fact, they are different. The following is to introduce the difference between Radix Ophiopogonis and Ophiopogon.

Difference 1. Different varieties

Radix Ophiopogonis is a perennial herb of Liliaceae, while Ophiopogon is a perennial evergreen herb of Liliaceae.

Second, the root is different.

The roots of Radix Scutellariae are fusiform in the middle or near the end, most of which are 3-5 cm long, 1-2 cm thick, yellowish white to yellowish brown. The root of Ophiopogon is thicker, the middle or near the end often expands into an oval or fusiform root, the root is 1-1.5 cm long, or longer, 5-10 mm wide, yellowish yellow.

Third, the stem is different.

Stems smooth, often curved or twisted, up to 1-2 m long, branched angulate or narrowly winged. The stem of Ophiopogon is very short, the underground stem is slender, 1-2 mm in diameter, and there are membranous sheaths on the nodes.

Fourth, the leaves are different

The leaves of Tiandong are slightly sickle-shaped, 0.5-8 cm long and 1-2 mm wide, with spines on the stem. Ophiopogon leaves are gramineous, 10-50 cm long, 1.5-3.5 mm wide, with 3-7 veins, margin serrulate.

Difference 5. Flowers and fruits are different

Flowers usually every 2 axillary, light green; berries globose, 6-7 mm in diam., red when ripe. Flowers solitary or paired in axils of bracts, white or lavender; seeds globose, 7-8 mm in diam., dark blue.

Sixth, the efficacy is different

The dried root of Radix Scutellariae can be used as medicine, which tastes sweet, bitter and cold, has the effect of nourishing yin and moistening dryness, clearing lung and promoting fluid, and is often used for lung dryness and cough, sputum stickiness, waist and knee soreness, bone steaming heat, internal heat and thirst, fever, pharynx, thirst, intestinal dryness and constipation. The dried root of Ophiopogon japonicus can be used as medicine, tastes sweet, slightly bitter, slightly cold, has the effect of nourishing yin and moistening the lung, benefiting stomach and promoting fluid, clearing the heart and removing annoyance, for lung dryness and cough, lung carbuncle, Yin deficiency and fatigue cough, Jin injury and thirst, elimination of thirst, restlessness and insomnia, sore throat, intestinal dryness and constipation, hematemesis and hematemesis.