Tian Men Dong

Latin name: Asparagi Cochinchinensis, Tuber

Tian Men Dong Also Known As: Asparagus Tuber, Asparagi Rhizoma Root, Asperge, Garden Asparagus, Sativari, Spargelkraut, Spargelwurzelstock, Sparrow Grass. Asparagus officinalis.

Properties: SWEET, BITTER - COLD

Dosage: 6-15g.

Meridians/Channels: KIDNEY, LUNG

• moisten lung, clear lung heat, dry mouth
• coughing up blood
• nourish kidney Yin, generates fluids - constipation

Also Used For: Orally, asparagus is used along with copious fluid consumption as "irrigation therapy" to increase urine output. It is also used orally for treating urinary tract infections and other inflammatory conditions of the urinary tract, preventing kidney and bladder stones, rheumatic joint pain and swelling, female hormone imbalances, dryness in the lungs and throat, AIDS, and to prevent anemia due to folic acid deficiency. Topically, asparagus is used for cleaning the face, drying sores, and acne. In Chinese medicine, it is used orally as a laxative, for neuritis, and for treating parasitic diseases and cancer. Food uses, the newly-formed shoots, or spears, are eaten as a vegetable. The seed and root extracts of asparagus are used in alcoholic beverages.