Tian Dong (天冬) — Asparagus Root | TCM Herb Guide

At a Glance

Herb: Tian Dong
Chinese name: 天冬 (Tiān Dōng)
Latin name: Asparagus cochinchinensis root tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste: Sweet / Bitter
Meridian: Lung / Kidney
Category: Herbs that Tonify Yin
Introduction: Tian Dong (天冬), Radix Asparagi, is the tuberous root of Asparagus cochinchinensis, harvested in autumn and winter and used dried. Revered in classical literature for its ability to nourish the ‘three yin’ of the lungs, kidneys, and heart, it is a premier herb for deficiency-heat patterns. Modern research highlights its steroidal saponins and polysaccharides, which exhibit antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities.

Yin deficiency with empty-heat: afternoon fever, night sweats, malar flush, dry throat — combines with Shu Di Huang, Zhi Mu
Lung yin deficiency: dry cough, hemoptysis, chronic hoarseness — combines with Mai Dong, Bai He
Kidney yin deficiency: soreness of lumbar region, seminal emission, tinnitus — combines with Sheng Di Huang, Gui Ban
Dry intestines and constipation due to yin deficiency — combines with Sheng Di Huang, Huo Ma Ren

Dosage: 6–12 g in decoction
Cold in nature — contraindicated in spleen-stomach deficiency cold with loose stool or poor appetite
Avoid in patients with wind-cold cough or phlegm-damp cough
Use with caution in diarrhea due to deficiency cold
Not suitable for long-term use without monitoring digestive function

Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (天王补心丹): Tian Dong, Ren Shen, Dan Shen, Fu Ling, Wu Wei Zi, Dang Gui, Tian Men Dong, Mai Men Dong, Shu Di Huang — nourishes yin and blood, calms heart spirit
Er Dong Gao (二冬膏): Tian Dong + Mai Dong — nourishes lung yin, clears heat
San Cai Feng Sui Dan (三才封髓丹): Tian Dong, Ren Shen, Shu Di Huang — nourishes three treasures to anchor ministerial fire

麦冬 (Mài Dōng) — classic pair (二冬汤): lung-kidney yin deficiency with dry cough, hemoptysis, and bone-steaming fever (天冬清肺肾，麦冬润肺胃，相须为用). 2. 生地 (Shēng Dì) + 知母 (Zhī Mǔ) — kidney yin deficiency with deficiency heat and bone-steaming fever. 3. 人参 (Rén Shēn) + 熟地 (Shú Dì) — severe qi and yin deficiency with palpitations (三才封髓丹). 4. 川贝母 (Chuān Bèi Mǔ) + 阿胶 (Ē Jiāo) — pulmonary tuberculosis with cough and hemoptysis. 5. 火麻仁 (Huǒ Má Rén) — intestinal dryness constipation from yin deficiency. Source: 神农本草经, 医方集解 (三才封髓丹).

ACP polysaccharides
- Antitumor: inhibit tumor growth via NK cell activation and apoptosis induction
- Antitumor: 5-MMF inhibits topoisomerase II in leukemia cells
asparagine analogs
- Antidiabetic: inhibit α-glucosidase
- Antidiabetic: reduce postprandial glucose spike
saponins
- Neuroprotective: protect hippocampal neurons from glutamate-induced excitotoxicity
Antimicrobial
- active against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus hemolyticus, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis
polysaccharides scavenge superoxide and hydroxyl radicals
- Antioxidant: reduce lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney
moistens intestines
- Laxative: increases intestinal fluid secretion

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》): ‘Governs all sudden wind-damp hemiplegic impediment, strengthens bone marrow, kills the three parasites, eliminates lurking corpse; long-term use lightens the body, benefits qi, and prolongs life.’
Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》): ‘Asparagus Tuber clears Metal and descends fire, benefits the upper source of Water; hence it can descend to unblock Kidney qi, moisten and lubricate the skin; cold nature drains Lung fire, bitter flavor consolidates Kidney water.’
Ben Cao Bei Yao (《本草备要》): ‘Greatly cold, bitter and sweet; clears Metal and descends fire, nourishes yin and moistens dryness; treats lung atrophy, lung abscess, wasting-thirst, dry throat, and bone-steaming taxation heat.’