Dang shen - Codonopsis pilosula

Codonopsis pilosula
[ Dang shen ]
Chinese herbal medicine
Alias: Shangdang ginseng, Shangdangshen, Ludangshen, Taidangshen, Dangshen
Main effects: invigorating the spleen and lungs, nourishing blood and producing body fluids
Codonopsis pilosula is a Chinese herbal medicine for invigorating qi and invigorating the spleen. It has the effects of enhancing physical strength, improving fatigue, promoting digestion and absorption, and improving immunity. It is often used to relieve symptoms such as physical fatigue, poor appetite, and pale face caused by insufficient qi and blood. This herb mainly grows in mountainous areas in Shanxi, Gansu, Shaanxi and other places. Among them, the codonopsis produced in Wutai Mountain, Shanxi and Longxi, Gansu are widely recognized for their full texture and good effects. They are suitable for making soup or soaking in water.
Codonopsis pilosula is sweet and flat in nature. It belongs to the spleen and lung meridians.
It has a mild tonic effect and is not easy to cause dryness or indigestion. Its qi-invigorating effect is slightly weaker than that of ginseng, and is suitable for mild symptoms of lung qi deficiency.
It can also produce body fluid and nourish blood, which can improve problems such as dry mouth and anemia.
The main active ingredients include codonopsis ginsenoside, glucose, inulin, polysaccharides, codonopsis alkaloids, volatile oils, flavonoids, phytosterols and trace elements.
Effects
Codonopsis helps improve the digestive function of the spleen and stomach, relieves discomfort such as loss of appetite and abdominal distension; at the same time, it can enhance lung function, improve long-term coughing or shortness of breath after activities; it can also nourish qi and blood, improve symptoms such as pale complexion, dizziness and weakness, and increase saliva secretion to relieve dry mouth.
What are the main effects and clinical applications of Codonopsis? Codonopsis is mainly used to regulate spleen, stomach and lung function deficiency, loss of appetite, long-term cough, "qi and blood deficiency, yellow complexion, palpitation and shortness of breath, dry mouth and tongue, and thirst symptoms related to diabetes.
For spleen, stomach and lung function deficiency:
Treat fatigue, poor appetite, loose stools and other problems caused by spleen and stomach weakness, often used with herbs such as Atractylodes macrocephala and Poria cocos;.
Improve symptoms such as shortness of breath, weak voice, chronic cough and asthma caused by insufficient lung function, and can be used with Astragalus membranaceus and Schisandra chinensis.
For qi and blood deficiency and body fluid loss:
Treat qi and blood deficiency problems such as yellow complexion, dizziness, palpitation, and weakness in the limbs, often with Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis, Rehmannia glutinosa, etc.; Improve diabetes-related thirst and internal heat problems, often used with Ophiopogon japonicus and Schisandra chinensis.