Asparagus Root (Tian Men Dong)
天冬 · Tiānméndōng
Asparagus cochinchinensis
Family: Asparagaceae · Part used: Root tuber · Origin: Guizhou & Sichuan, China
Nature
Cold
Flavor
Sweet, bitter
Meridian
Lung, Kidney
Tian Men Dong — 'heaven's gate winter' — is the great moistener of lung and kidney yin, treasured in Daoist longevity traditions. Glutinous, translucent tubers clear deficiency heat where ophiopogon cannot reach, particularly for deep dryness with night sweats and wasting thirst.
🌿 Functions & Actions
- •Nourishes lung and kidney yin
- •Clears lung deficiency heat
- •Generates fluids
- •Moistens the intestines
📋 Traditional Indications
- •Dry cough with blood-streaked sputum
- •Night sweats and afternoon fever
- •Wasting and thirst (xiao ke)
- •Dry, constipated bowels
- •Premature aging of hair and skin (traditional)
📖 Usage & Dosage
6–12 g in decoction, simmered 40 minutes; traditionally honey-processed to moderate its cold nature.
🍵 Classic Recipes
Er Dong Decoction
Asparagus root 10 g + ophiopogon 10 g, decocted 30 minutes for deep yin dryness.
Tian Men Dong Porridge
Asparagus 15 g boiled, strained, then cooked with rice — the classical xiao ke (thirsting) porridge.
🔬 Modern Research
Asparagus steroidal saponins (asparagosides) and polysaccharides are studied for antitussive, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activity.
⚠️ Contraindications
Avoid with spleen deficiency, dampness, and diarrhea — its cold and cloying nature burdens weak digestion.
