Objective To analyze the relevant literature on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treated by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) using Citespace visual analysis software, and to summarize the cooperation network, research hotspots and research trends of the domestic academic research in this field.

Methods Relevant literatures from January 1, 2000 to April 1, 2022 in the treatment of GERD by traditional Chinese medicine were retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, VIP database and Chinese Biology Medicine(CBM). Citespace5.8. R3 software was used to conduct co-occurrence analysis for authors, institutions and keywords, keyword clustering, emergence and time region were analyzed, and knowledge map was drawn.

Results A total of 3 766 relevant articles were retrieved, and 1 957 articles were included after screening. The number of articles published on TCM treatment of GERD showed an increasing trend. According to the data analysis, 775 authors were found, among whom 84 authors published 5 articles and above, forming four teams, represented by ZHU Shengliang, XIE Sheng, YUAN Hongxia and TANG Xudong. The data analysis found 571 paper publishing institutions, among which 20 institutions published 4 articles and above, forming four major research institutions represented by Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine and Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine. A total of 446 keywords were included, among which 45 keywords were ≥10 times.Key words co-occurrence analysis found that 446 keywords were included, such as esophagitis, famous doctor's experience, dialectical treatment, review, omeprazole, etc. Cluster analysis was carried out on 16 keywords including traditional Chinese medicine, famous doctors'experience, omeprazole, TCM syndrome and traditional Chinese medicine, and cluster labels were formed. The keyword timeline atlas analysis showed that "#11 esophagitis" was the first emerged and the longest-standing keyword, which appeared in 89 literatures. The keyword emergence analysis found 25 emergent words, "treatment" "dialectical classification" "regurgitation" "curative effect observation" and "clinical observation" were the key words that had emerged in earlier period, and "acupuncture" "data mining" "quality of life" "anxiety" and "depression" were the later emerged words. Traditional Chinese medicine therapy and acupuncture were the keywords with greater intensity of emergence.

Conclusion The visualization analysis of the map of scientific knowledge shows the development, research hotspot and trend of this field, and provides reference for future research.