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Codonopsis Root ( Dang Shen ) is used frequently in Chinese medicine to improve the function of the lungs and the spleen. It is thought to revive the entire body as a whole. Codonopsis has been used for centuries to treat appetite loss, diarrhea, and vomiting. This herb is especially useful for asthma or peptic ulcers that are compounded by loss of appetite, diarrhea, or vomiting. Codonopsis may also be used to assist recovery of cancer patients treated with radiation therapy. The most common use of codonopsis is to increase energy and assist with digestive problems.

Other names:

Codonopsis pilosula, Bastard Ginseng, Bellflower, Bonnet Bellflower, Codonopsis tangshen, Codonopsis tubulosa, Dangshen, Radix Codonopsis.

It belongs to the “Labiatae / Lamiaceae” family. The codonopsis plant is a perennial that grows to five feet. It has oval leaves with green and purple flowers. The root is used for medicinal purposes. Codonopsis Root has a sweet and neutral properties. It is use for improving digestive system and corrects blood deficiency and enhances qi.

Codonopsis is a twining perennial. It reaches a length of five feet, and has oval leaves and distinct bell shaped greenish purple flowers. It is native to Asia and China, but now cultivated worldwide, sometimes only for its ornamental value.

Chemical Constituents:

Friedelin, taraxerol, alpha-spinasterol, alpha-spinasterol-beta-D-glucopyranoside, n-butyl-alpha-D-fructofuranoside and n-butyl-beta-D-fructopyranoside.

Triterpenoid sponins, polysaccharides, tangshenoside I, sterins, alkaloid, akenyl and alkenyl glycosides

Medicinal Usage:

The long, sweet taproot is used extensively in herbal medicine. Codonopsis holds an important in Traditional Chinese and Japanese Medicine as a remedy for chronic fatigue, or what is called “false fire syndrome” in China. Codonopsis was first described in the herbal tome Ben Jing Feng Yaun in 1695 C.E. as a lung cleanser (qing fe).

As a cooling herb, codonopsis is useful in any illness in which “spleen qi deficiency” a deficiency of digestive energies, is the underlying cause.

It is also known to strengthen the digestive, respiratory, and immune systems. It has been called the “poor man’s ginseng” as it has often been used as a ginseng substitute in herbal formulas when ginseng was too expensive or not available. This herb is similar to ginseng, but it isn’t as strong and doesn’t last as long. That makes it a good choice for people who are too sensitive to ginseng.

Treatment with the herb increased the ability of interleukin-2, an immune-system chemical, to fight colorectal cancer, lymphoma, melanoma, and kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma). Codonopsis also restrain the immune system in lupus, a condition in which the immune system attacks the DNA found in the body’s own skin cells.

Health Benefits:

• Improves body function, anti fatigue.
• Stimulates nervous system, improves immune system.
• Increases red blood cells, white blood cells.
• Improves the function of macrophages.
• Enhances blood coagulation.
• Raises blood sugar.

Dosage:

As a preventive tonic, simmer 4 tsp codonopsis, 4 tsp astragalus, and 2 tsp lycii berries with 750 mL (3 cups) water for 40 minutes. Drink regularly.

1/2 cup decoction twice a day will reduce fatigue.

1/2 tsp tincture with water, 3 times per day as a tonic.

Cautions:

Codonopsis Root should not be use in cases of infection of the digestive system. Incompatible with li lu (Veratrum nigrum L.)

Side effects have been reported, like : diziness, discomfort in the chest area, nervous and uneasy, dry mouth, etc.