dang shen

党参·Radix Codonopsis

Codonopsis Root

About dang shen

Dang Shen (党参) is the root of codonopsis, a plant of the bellflower family, recorded as Radix Codonopsis. It is sweet in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Lung and Spleen channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that tonify Qi.

Names

Pinyindang shen
Chinese党参·黨參
Latin NameRadix Codonopsis
English NameCodonopsis Root
Japanesetojin
Koreandangsam

Classification

Category
Tonify Qi
Channels
Lung, Spleen
Flavour
Sweet
Temperature
Neutral
Part used
Root
Family
Campanulaceae
Species
Codonopsis Pilosula
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Tonifies the Middle Jiao and augments Qi

  • Chronic illness from Spleen Qi deficiency: poor appetite, fatigue, heavy tired limbs, loose stools or diarrhea, vomiting and a pale complexion

Tonifies Lung Qi

  • Lung Qi deficiency with a long-standing cough, shortness of breath and a weak voice
  • Copious phlegm from deficient Spleen Qi

Supports the constitution alongside herbs that release the Exterior or purge downward when Qi is markedly deficient

  • Upholds the body's upright Qi while other herbs drive out the pathogen

Nourishes Blood and generates Fluids

  • Deficient Qi, Blood and Fluids, especially after long illness, with thirst or mild Blood deficiency
  • A gentler substitute for Ren Shen where ginseng would be indicated, outside collapse patterns

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 6-14g; Large dose up to 30g; Tincture: 1-4ml6-14 g1-4 ml

Cautions

Prepared forms (1)

dang shen Chao

米炒党参·Radix Codonopsis Preparatum

Dang shen chao (米炒党参) is the dry-fried form of dang shen, the root of codonopsis, a Campanulaceae species supplied as Radix Codonopsis Preparatum. The catalogue files it among the substances that tonify Qi, on the Lung and Spleen channels.

The catalogue records no separate actions, dose or cautions for this preparation. Unless noted above it follows dang shen.