Asparagi Radix
Aliases：Tiān Mén Dōng, Qióng Dōng, Dà Dāng Mén Gēn, Tiān Dōng Cǎo, Míng Tiān Dōng, Sī Dōng, Ní Líng, Duō Zǎi Pó, Gǎn Tiáo Shé, Sān Bǎi Bàng, Xiǎo Yè Qīng, Lǎo Hǔ Wěi Bā Gēn.
Tiān Dōng is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried root tuber of Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr., a plant belonging to the family Liliaceae. The root tuber is long fusiform in shape, slightly curved, 5–18 cm in length and 0.5–2 cm in diameter. Its surface is yellowish-white to pale yellowish-brown, semi-translucent, smooth or with longitudinal wrinkles of varying depth, occasionally with remnants of greyish-brown outer bark. It is hard or柔润 (soft and moist) in texture, with a sticky feel, a horny cross-section, and a yellowish-white central column. Tiān Dōng was first recorded in Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica). It has been included in the list of "substances that are both food and medicinal materials according to traditional practice" (medicinal and edible dual-use).
Efficacy & Actions
Nourishes Yin and moistens dryness; clears the Lung and promotes fluid production; nourishes the Kidneys and reduces fire.
Indications
Indicated for lung-dryness dry cough, spasmodic cough with sticky phlegm, consumptive cough, cough with hemoptysis due to overstrain, soreness and pain of the lower back and knees, bone-steaming tidal fever, internal heat with thirst (Xiao Ke), febrile disease with fluid damage, dry throat and thirst, constipation due to intestinal dryness, and restlessness with insomnia.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitussive, expectorant, and antiasthmatic effects: Tiān Dōng exhibits significant antitussive, expectorant, and antiasthmatic effects and is commonly used in cough-relieving and phlegm-resolving Chinese patent medicines. Antitumor effects: Tiān Dōng has certain inhibitory effects on some types of leukemia and exhibits antitumor activity. Antibacterial effects: Exhibits antibacterial activity against Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Diplococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Anti-inflammatory effects: Tiān Dōng possesses anti-inflammatory activity. Antioxidant effects: Possesses antioxidant activity. Immunomodulatory effects: Enhances immune function. Hypoglycemic effects: Exhibits blood glucose-lowering effects. Anti-aging effects: Possesses anti-aging effects. Neuroprotective effects: Exhibits neuroprotective activity.
Ingredients
Tiān Dōng contains various chemical constituents. It mainly contains steroidal saponins, such as asparagosides and methylprotodioscin. The aglycones of six steroidal saponins isolated from fresh rhizomes include yamogenin, diosgenin, smilagenin, and isosmilagenin. It also contains polysaccharides, amino acids, norlignans, mucilage, β-sitosterol, and other components.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 6–15 g; may also be made into an extract, or made into pills or powders. For external use: apply an appropriate amount of fresh herb, crushed and applied topically, or crushed and the juice extracted for application.
Contraindications
Not suitable for those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold—as Tiān Dōng is cold in nature and may impair the Spleen and Stomach, potentially aggravating symptoms such as epigastric and abdominal pain and diarrhea. Not suitable for those with poor appetite and loose stools. Contraindicated in those with deficiency-cold diarrhea. Contraindicated in those with externally-contracted wind-cold cough. Contraindicated in those with phlegm-dampness cough. Avoid eating carp after taking Tiān Dōng.
Selected Formulas
For cough (Rumen Shiqin, Sancai Wan) Take equal parts of Renshen (Ginseng), Tianmendong (Asparagus root, core removed), and Shugan Dihuang (Prepared Rehmannia). Grind into fine powder, mix with honey to make pills the size of cherries. Dissolve one pill in the mouth and swallow. For lung-deficiency cough (Benshi Fang, Tianmendong Wan) Take 50g of Tianmendong (soaked in water, core removed), 25g each of honey-fried Gancao (Licorice), Xingren (Apricot kernel, peeled and stir-fried), Beimu (Fritillaria, core removed, stir-fried), Baifuling (Poria, peeled), and Ejiao (Donkey-hide gelatin, stir-fried with clam powder). Grind into fine powder, mix with honey to make pills the size of a bullet. Dissolve one pill in the mouth and swallow the saliva. For blood deficiency with lung dryness (Yixue Zhengzhuan, Tianmendong Gao) Take an appropriate amount of Tianmendong, wash thoroughly, remove the core and skin, finely crush, extract juice, and simmer slowly to make a paste. Take 1–2 spoonfuls each time on an empty stomach with warm wine. For upper wasting thirst with irritability and polydipsia (Yixue Xinwu, Erdong Tang) Take 6g of Tianmendong, 9g of Maidong (Ophiopogon), 3g of Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes root), 3g of Huangqin (Scutellaria), 3g of Zhimu (Anemarrhena), 1.5g of Gancao, 1.5g of Renshen, and 3g of Heye (Lotus leaf). Decoct in water and drink. For tonsillitis and sore throat (empirical formula) Take 15g each of Tianmendong, Maidong, Banlangen (Isatis root), Jiegeng (Platycodon), and Shandougen (Sophora root), plus 10g of Gancao. Decoct in water and drink. For elderly constipation due to intestinal dryness (empirical formula) Take 40g of Tianmendong, 120g each of Maimendong, Danggui (Angelica), Marenzi (Hemp seed), and Shengdihuang (Raw Rehmannia). Decoct into a paste, mix with honey to solidify. Take ten spoonfuls each morning and evening with plain boiled water. For women with wheezing and bone-steaming fever (empirical formula) Take 300g of Tianmendong, 400g of Maimendong (core removed), and 1500g of Shengdihuang (extract juice for paste). Make into a paste and take.
Daily Consumption
Tiān Dōng Congee: Take 15–20 g of Tiān Dōng, 60 g of polished rice, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. First decoct the Tiān Dōng to obtain a concentrated liquid, strain to remove the residue, then add the rice and cook into congee. When boiling, add an appropriate amount of rock sugar and continue to cook until dissolved. Tiān Dōng, Lily, and Snow Fungus Soup: Take 15 g of Tiān Dōng (30 g if fresh), 20 g of Lily, 1 piece of snow fungus (about 10 g dried), an appropriate amount of rock sugar, and 10 Goji berries. Slice the Tiān Dōng and soak for 30 minutes to remove bitterness. Soak the snow fungus until soft, then tear into small pieces. Add 1.5 L of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1 hour. Add the Goji berries and rock sugar and cook for another 10 minutes. Tiān Dōng, Polygonatum, and Old Duck Soup: Take 20 g of Tiān Dōng, 15 g of Polygonatum, half an old duck (about 500 g), 3 slices of ginger, and a little salt. Blanch the duck to remove the odor, then place it with the Tiān Dōng, Polygonatum, and ginger slices in a clay pot. Add 2 L of water and simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Season with salt. Tiān Dōng and Lean Meat Soup: Blanch the lean meat to remove the blood foam, then place it with Tiān Dōng, Lily, and ginger slices in a clay pot. Add water, bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1 hour. Season with salt. Tiān Dōng Tea: Place Tiān Dōng and Licorice in a thermos, pour in boiling water, cover and let steep for 7 minutes. Then add green tea and steep for about 3 minutes before drinking. Tiān Dōng Extract: Crush the Tiān Dōng, simmer with water until it becomes thick and sticky, then add an appropriate amount of honey to finish the extract.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root tuber.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place. Protect from moisture and insects.
