Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Radix Asparagi |
|---|
| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 天門冬 · Tian Men Dong |
|---|
| Medicinal Part | Roots and rhizomes |
|---|
| Efficacy Category | Tonifying |
|---|
| Botanical Origin | The dried tuberous root of Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. (Liliaceae). |
|---|
| Nature & Flavour | Sweet, Bitter; Cold |
|---|
| Channels Entered | Lung, Kidney |
|---|
What Is Tian Men Dong?
Tian Men Dong (Asparagus Tuber) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guizhou, Sichuan, Guangxi and Yunnan.
Nature & Flavour: Sweet, Bitter; Cold
Channels Entered: Lung, Kidney
Tian Men Dong: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Radix Asparagi
Botanical Origin
The dried tuberous root of Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. (Liliaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guizhou, Sichuan, Guangxi and Yunnan.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is thick, yellowish-white, translucent, and sticky.
Macroscopic Features
Spindle-shaped or long conical tubers, 5~18cm long; externally yellowish-white to pale brown, translucent; fracture horny and sticky; sweet then bitter.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet, Bitter; ColdLungKidney
Traditional Functions
Nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and clears lung heat. Apply to dry cough, whooping-type cough from yin deficiency, thirst, and constipation.
How Tian Men Dong Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Tian Men Dong is classified among the Tonifying herbs. It appears in 1 classical formulas in our library.
Formulas containing Tian Men Dong are traditionally used for:
Dizziness & VertigoHeadache
Classical Formulas Containing Tian Men Dong
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tian Men Dong? Are Tian Dong, Mai Men Dong and fresh Tian Dong the same?
The official name is Tian Dong, the dried tuberous root of Asparagus cochinchinensis. The pharmacopoeial name is Asparagi Radix. Tian Men Dong is the classical and prescription name. Mai Men Dong is Ophiopogon: sweet, slightly bitter and slightly cold, enters Heart, Lung and Stomach, nourishes Yin, moistens the Lung, benefits the Stomach and clears the Heart—less cold and not Kidney-specific. Fresh Tian Dong is uncommon. Write Tian Dong or Tian Men Dong; do not mix it with Mai Dong.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Tian Men Dong?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Tian Dong is sweet, bitter and cold, enters the Lung and Kidney channels, and acts to nourish Yin and moisten dryness, and clear the Lung and generate fluid. It is used for Lung-dryness dry cough, whooping cough with sticky phlegm, lumbar and knee aching pain, steaming bone tidal heat, internal-heat wasting-thirst, heat disease injuring fluid, dry throat and thirst, and intestinal-dryness constipation. Sweet-bitter-cold and moistening, it clears Lung fire while enriching Kidney Yin—suited to Yin vacuity with dryness-heat, not to deficient-cold diarrhea or wind-cold cough.
How is the decoction piece used? Is it often made into a paste?
Cut thick slices into the decoction. Being moist and sticky, it is also simmered into paste, classically with Ophiopogon as Er Dong Gao. Pharmacopoeial processing steams or boils it and peels it while hot. Do not substitute ornamental asparagus stems and leaves for the tuber.
Learn More About Tian Men Dong
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Tian Men Dong.
Read the Tian Men Dong Guide →
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
