Objective To conduct a bibliometric analysis of the relevant literature on traditional Chinese medicine with nourishing-yin properties for tumor prevention and treatment published both domestically and internationally over the past 20 years, with the intention of providing references for the pharmacological effects and scientific connotations of such traditional Chinese medicine in tumor prevention and treatment. Methods The relevant literature was obtained from the databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and Web of Science (WOS). Using bibliometrics and visualization research tools such as NoteExpress, CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Gephi, the publication volume, countries, institutions, authors, and keywords of the selected literature were analyzed to form visualization results and analyze the current research status, hotspots, and trends. Results The analysis of publication volume shows that the research on yin-nourishing traditional Chinese medicine in tumor prevention and treatment has been increasing year by year. Currently, Chinese literature is the main body of research literature in this field. Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), and Gouqizi (Lycii Fructus) are the most frequently studied yin-nourishing traditional Chinese medicines in this field. The analysis of the countries and institutions that published papers indicates that the country with the most research publications in this field is China, and the dominant forces are Chinese medical colleges and hospital units. The analysis of authors’ publications shows that there is no core author group formed between domestic and international authors, and the research force in this field presents a diversified situation. The keyword analysis indicates that the research in this field mainly focuses on lung cancer, active ingredients, pharmacological effects, etc., while the medication pattern, data mining, mechanism of action, cell cycle regulation, and Lycium barbarum polysaccharides are the research hotspots in recent years. Conclusion Research on the prevention and treatment of tumors with yin-nourishing traditional Chinese medicine is still in an upward development stage at present. The research focus is on the study of the material basis and mechanism of action of yin-nourishing traditional Chinese medicines in preventing and treating tumors, as well as the research on clinical application experience and innovation in research methods.

yin-nourishing traditional Chinese medicines  /  tumor prevention and treatment  /  bibliometrics  /  medication rules  /  Ophiopogonis Radix  /  Dendrobii Caulis  /  Lycii Fructus