Tiān Mén Dōng · Chinese Asparagus Root
Tiān Mén Dōng (天门冬, Chinese Asparagus Root) is a herb of Cold nature and Sweet, Bitter flavor, in the “Yin Tonifying” category. Tradition uses it to nourish Kidney and Lung Yin, Clear Lung Heat, Generate Body Fluids.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Tiān Mén Dōng
- Characters
- 天门冬
- Botanical name
- Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr.
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Part used
- Root tuber
- Nature
- Cold
- Flavor
- Sweet, Bitter
- Meridians
- Kidney, Lung
- Category
- Yin Tonifying
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- No contraindication described (always consult)
- Origin
- China, Southeast Asia
Actions according to tradition
- Nourish Kidney and Lung Yin
- Clear Lung Heat
- Generate Body Fluids
- Moisten Intestines
Traditional uses
- Lung yin deficiency with dry cough and hemoptysis
- Kidney yin deficiency with hot flushes and night sweats
- Afternoon fever from yin deficiency
- Thirst and dry mouth from fluid damage
- Dry and constipated bowels from yin deficiency
Studied effects and current applications
- Deeply nourishes yin of kidney and lung
- Clears empty heat from yin deficiency in lungs
- Generates body fluids to relieve dryness and thirst
- Moistens intestines to relieve dry constipation
- Anti-tumor effects (modern research)
Applications under investigation
- Tuberculosis and chronic pulmonary conditions
- Cancer support therapy
- Menopausal yin deficiency syndrome
- Diabetic complications (Xiao ke)
- Chronic inflammatory conditions
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Spleen deficiency with loose stools
- Cold damp conditions
- Absence of yin deficiency
Relative contraindications
- Wind-cold cough without yin deficiency
- Diarrhea
- Pregnancy
- Generally safe in pregnancy for yin deficiency.
- Breastfeeding
- Safe during breastfeeding.
- Children
- Use cautiously in children. Avoid if loose stools.
- Older adults
- Beneficial for elderly with lung-kidney yin deficiency and dry conditions.
Possible adverse effects
- Diarrhea in constitutionally cold individuals
- Abdominal fullness
When to stop
- Loose stools develop
- Cold conditions worsen
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemotherapy | Paclitaxel, Cyclophosphamide | Mild | Possible synergistic anti-tumor and protective effects Inform oncologist |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone, Dexamethasone | Mild | May counteract steroid-induced yin deficiency Generally beneficial combination under supervision |
With other herbs
- mai_dong Synergistic yin nourishing, often combined for lung-kidney yin deficiency
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 6-15 grams daily
- Powder
- 3-6 grams daily
- Acute use
- 2-4 weeks
- Chronic use
- 1-3 months
- Maximum
- Long-term for chronic yin deficiency
- Children
- Use cautiously in children with diarrhea.
Forms of preparation
Simmer 6-15g in 3 cups water 40-50 min. Take warm.
Lung-kidney yin deficiency
Steam with honey. Eat 9-15g daily as medicinal food.
Chronic dry cough, constipation
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Steroid saponins (asparagonosides) and polysaccharides
Steroid spirostanic saponins · Antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, immunomodulatory
Induction of apoptosis (Bcl-2 inactivation), permeabilization of fungal membranes · 0.5-1.5%
Fructooligosaccharides and heteropolysaccharides · Immunomodulator, antitumor, hypoglycemic
Activation of NK cells and T lymphocytes, inhibition of α-glucosidase · 15-30% in aqueous extract
Amino acid · Nutritional component; in excess involved in tumor asparagine synthesis
ASNS (asparagine synthetase) substrate in tumor cells · 1-3%
Flavonols · Antioxidant, capillaroprotective, anti-inflammatory
Radical capture, vascular endothelial protection · 0.1-0.5%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Autumn (October-November) or spring, 2-3 year old plants
Fleshy tubers harvested in autumn or occasionally in spring. The tubers are harvested, briefly boiled to remove the skin, and dried.
Tubers boiled briefly 3-5 minutes to facilitate peeling, peeled, cut lengthwise or sliced and dried in the sun.
Formulas it appears in
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
