Vietnam has a type of dried tuber that is considered a 'longevity medicine'.

This root is used in traditional medicines, bringing many health benefits .

Mondo or Dong Dong is a herbaceous plant, about 10-40cm tall, usually green in color. This plant grows wild and is grown in Vietnam to get roots used as medicine to treat some common diseases. The roots of the mondo grass tree have a round stem, yellow-white bark and flat ends. This type of tuber is harvested when the plant is 2 - 3 years old in June, then dried before use.

This plant grows wild and is grown in Vietnam to get roots used as medicine.

According to ancient documents, mondo grass has a sweet taste, slightly bitter and slightly cold properties, and is used in traditional medicine to relieve constipation, reduce symptoms of coughing up blood, and reduce persistent coughs. long or phlegmy. In addition, this tuber also has the following outstanding uses that many people may not know:

1. Anti-cancer

Modern medicine has discovered the cancer prevention ability of mondo vascularis. Accordingly, a 2023 study showed that extracts of this herb such as ruscogenin - 1 - O - β - d - fucopyranoside (DT-13), ophiopogonin B and ophiopogonin D, have potential anti-cancer effects. by inducing cell cycle arrest, activating apoptosis, as well as inhibiting metastasis and angiogenesis.

Another 2020 study also showed that a saponin called ruscogenin found in mondo grass roots significantly inhibits cell viability and causes cell death of cancer cells. pancreas in vitro.

2. Hypoglycemia

Monosteum reduces the rate of kidney fibrosis in people with diabetes.

Research results from Shanghai University of Traditional Medicine have shown that mondo grass is an herb that effectively helps reduce blood sugar. Accordingly, this root helps diabetics restore pancreatic function, reduces insulin resistance, thereby helping to lower blood sugar. Not only that, this herb also helps significantly reduce triglycerides and bad cholesterol, thereby preventing cardiovascular complications in people with diabetes.

3. Good for the kidneys

Not only does it help control blood sugar effectively, mondo vasculature also reduces the rate of kidney fibrosis in people with diabetes, so it has the ability to prevent kidney complications.

One study showed that Ophiopogonin D , the main pharmacologically active component of the mondophorus, improved renal function, as evidenced by increased albumin clearance and serum creatinine; decreased serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, TGF-β1 and renal hypertrophy in diabetic nephropathy rats.

Although mondo grass is a good, widely used and popular medicine, you should still be careful to only use this herb after examination and prescription from a professional to ensure safety. health .