Tiān Dōng (天冬), known in English as Chinese asparagus root (Asparagus cochinchinensis), is a cold, sweet and bitter Chinese herb from the Tonify yin category. It enters the Lung and Kidney channels. Its main action: nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin, clears Heat.
| Pinyin | Tiān Dōng (Tian Dong) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 天冬 |
| English | Chinese asparagus root |
| Botanical name | Asparagus cochinchinensis |
| Category | Tonify yin |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Sweet, Bitter |
| Channels | Lung, Kidney |
| Dosage | 6–12g |
| Cautions | Spleen deficiency with Cold-Damp; diarrhoea |
Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin, clears Heat
- Generates fluids, moistens Dryness
Indications
- Lung and Kidney Yin deficiency: chronic cough, haemoptysis, dry throat, night sweats
- Wasting-thirst
How to remember Tiān Dōng
Tonify yin herbs are mostly cool or cold and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Cold, Sweet: like most Tonify yin herbs
- Lung and Kidney channels: from its action “Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin”
- Learn by heart
- Bitter: unusual for Tonify yin herbs (most are sweet)
Formulas containing Tiān Dōng
Other Tonify yin herbs
- Mài Dōng
- Nǚ Zhēn Zǐ
- Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ
- Shēng Dì Huáng
- Yù Zhú
- Shí Hú
- Hàn Lián Cǎo
- Guī Bǎn
- Biē Jiǎ
- Bǎi Hé
- Běi Shā Shēn
- Huáng Jīng
- Sāng Shèn
- Hēi Zhī Má
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Tiān Dōng?
Tiān Dōng is cold and sweet and bitter.
Which channels does Tiān Dōng enter?
Tiān Dōng enters the Lung and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Tiān Dōng?
Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin, clears Heat; Generates fluids, moistens Dryness.
What is Tiān Dōng used for?
Lung and Kidney Yin deficiency: chronic cough, haemoptysis, dry throat, night sweats; wasting-thirst.
Which formulas contain Tiān Dōng?
Tiān Wáng Bǔ Xīn Dān and Zhèn Gān Xī Fēng Tāng.
Practise Tiān Dōng and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.