tai zi shen

太子参·Radix Pseudostellariae

heterophylly false satarwort root

About tai zi shen

Tai Zi Shen (太子参) is the root of pseudostellaria, recorded as Radix Pseudostellariae. It is sweet and slightly bitter in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Lung and Spleen channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that tonify Qi. Its Chinese name reads as prince ginseng.

Names

Pinyintai zi shen
Chinese太子参
Latin NameRadix Pseudostellariae
English Nameheterophylly false satarwort root·Pseudostellaria Root
Japanesegaijijin
Koreantaejasam

Classification

Category
Tonify Qi
Channels
Lung, Spleen
Flavour
Sweet, Slightly Bitter
Temperature
Neutral
Part used
Root
Family
caryophyllaceae
Species
Pseudostellaria heterophylla
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Strengthens the Spleen and tonifies Qi

  • Fatigue and poor appetite from Spleen and Stomach deficiency
  • Stomach Yin deficiency
  • A mild tonic, usually combined with other herbs, suited to children and to convalescence

Generates Body Fluids

  • Damaged Fluids and weakness following a febrile illness, with thirst
  • Children with persistent fever or Summerheat

Tonifies Lung Qi and Yin

  • Spontaneous sweating from weak Lung Qi
  • Lung Yin deficiency with Dryness
  • A weak, dry cough and shortness of breath on a background of Dryness
  • Lung deficiency

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 9-30g; Tincture: 2-5ml9-30 g2-5 ml

Cautions