A "lung-and-kidney yin tonic" variation of Liuwei Dihuang Wan, the six-ingredient base with ophiopogon and schisandra added to address persistent dry cough, dry mouth, and night sweats.
Cultural reference - how this formula has been discussed in Chinese medical tradition. Not medical advice.
Background & origin
Finalized in the Qing dynasty compendium "Golden Mirror of Medicine" (《医宗金鉴》) as the "lung-and-kidney, dry-cough-targeted" companion of Liuwei Dihuang Wan. In Japan, Bakumi-jiogan (麦味地黄丸) is sold primarily by Kracie and Kotaro as an OTC remedy for chronic dry cough, dry throat, and night sweats in older adults. In Korea it appears as Maengmi-jihwang-hwan (맥미지황환) in the Kyungdong hanbang line.
From the source text
This page is cultural documentation, not medical advice.
From the source text · 卷一·删补名医方论·六味地黄丸方论附麦味丸
Classical text
六味地黄丸加五味子、麦冬，名麦味地黄丸。主治肾阴亏损，咳嗽喘逆，骨蒸劳热，虚烦不眠，咽干口燥，盗汗遗精。
Modern Chinese rendering
在六味地黄丸基础上加五味子、麦冬两味，是为麦味地黄丸。用于肾阴亏损所致的咳嗽气喘、骨蒸劳热、虚烦失眠、咽干口燥、盗汗遗精等。这是《医宗金鉴》在六味地黄丸系列中"补肾阴兼敛肺止咳"思路下的定型方剂：六味地黄丸滋补肾阴，加麦冬养阴润肺、五味子敛肺生津，三者合用使"肺肾同调"思路在干咳久咳、潮热盗汗的临床场景下落地。
Editorial translation
Liuwei Dihuang Wan with Schisandra fruit and Ophiopogon tuber added is known as Maiwei Dihuang Wan (Ophiopogon and Schisandra Rehmanni Pills). It is the formula of choice for kidney-yin depletion patterns: cough with panting, bone-steaming and taxation heat, vexation and sleeplessness, dry throat and mouth, night sweats, and seminal emission. This is the canonical "tonify kidney yin and simultaneously astringe the lung to stop cough" variation in the Liuwei Dihuang Wan series, as standardized in the Golden Mirror of Medicine: the six-ingredient base nourishes kidney yin, the added ophiopogon moistens the lung and nourishes yin, and the added schisandra astringes the lung to generate fluids, the three together implement the "simultaneously regulate the lung and kidney" reasoning in the clinical context of chronic dry cough, tidal fever, and night sweats.
In tradition
In TCM tradition, associated with the "lung-kidney yin deficiency" pattern when it manifests as persistent dry cough, dry mouth and throat, hoarse voice, night sweats, and a sense of heat in the palms and soles, particularly common in older adults and in long-term smokers. It is also one of the formulas discussed for chronic, non-productive cough that is felt to be "yin-deficiency type" rather than "infection type".
Formula composition
Monarch1
- Rehmannia root, cooked (Shú Dì Huáng / 熟地黄)
Minister2
- Cornus fruit (Shān Zhū Yú / 山茱萸)
- Chinese yam (Shān Yào / 山药)
Assistant5
- Moutan tree bark (Mǔ Dān Pí / 牡丹皮)
- Poria (Fú Líng / 茯苓)
- Alisma rhizome (Zé Xiè / 泽泻)
- Ophiopogon tuber (Mài Mén Dōng / 麦冬)
- Schisandra fruit (Wǔ Wèi Zǐ / 五味子)
International availability
Cautions & context
- Considered inappropriate during a common cold, fever, or acute respiratory infection, the formula is "tonifying" and may "trap" external pathogens.
- Cough accompanied by fever, colored sputum, chest pain, or shortness of breath requires medical evaluation before any yin-tonic is considered.
- Long-term daily use is common in China but not well studied in Western pharmacology; periodic breaks are often recommended.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding people should consult a qualified practitioner before use.
Related formulas
Other formulas from this text· "Golden Mirror of Medicine"
Other formulas by this contributor· Imperial Medical Academy (Wu Qian, ed.)
Browse by Pattern
Related concerns
Concern · stress
Stress & Mood
Everyday tension, low mood, irritability, the sense of being "wound up but tired". The cluster of complaints that brings many Chinese adults to the family 中成药 drawer before they ever see a doctor.
Concern · sleep
Sleep
Difficulty falling asleep, light sleep, dream-disturbed sleep, and the "tired but cannot switch off" pattern that follows overwork or worry.
Editorial note
Compiled from "Golden Mirror of Medicine" (1742).
Last reviewed: July 18, 2026
Three layers of evidence
Classical source
≈ 300 years · "Golden Mirror of Medicine" (1742)
Pharmacopoeia indication
"Nourish the kidney and the lung. Used for lung-kidney yin deficiency: tidal fever, night sweats, dry throat with hemoptysis, dizziness, tinnitus, and soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees."
Modern research status
No systematic review on Maiwei Dihuang Wan was identified in the PubMed database as of 2026-06-28.
References
References reviewed on July 18, 2026 · PubMed search on 2026-07-18
- 01ClassicalWu Qian (吴谦) et al. (eds.), 《医宗金鉴·删补名医方论》 (Yī Zōng Jīn Jiàn · Shān Bǔ Míng Yī Fāng Lùn / Golden Mirror of Medicine · "Edited and Supplemented Formulas of Famous Physicians"), Qing dynasty, completed 1742, vol. 1, the section on Liuwei Dihuang Wan with the appended Maiwei Wan (Ophiopogon and Schisandra Pills) being the canonical text for the "tonify kidney yin and astringe the lung to stop cough" variation of the Liuwei Dihuang Wan series.
- 02TextbookDuan Fuqin (段富津) et al. (eds.), 《方剂学》 (Fāngjìxué / Textbook of Formulas), Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, 1995, the standard modern university-level formula textbook in mainland China, with Maiwei Dihuang Wan analysed as the representative "tonify kidney yin and astringe the lung" formula combining the Liuwei Dihuang base with ophiopogon (Mài Mén Dōng) and schisandra (Wǔ Wèi Zǐ) for chronic dry cough and night sweats from lung-kidney yin depletion.
- 03PharmacopoeiaChinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, 《中华人民共和国药典》 2020 年版一部 (Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Yàodiǎn, Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, 2020 Edition, Vol. I), China Medical Science Press, 2020, the official monograph for Mài Wèi Dì Huáng Wán dosage forms, with the "functional indications" reading "滋肾养肺" (nourish the kidney and the lung).