Dang Shen Encyclopedia
【Source】 The dried root of the plant Codonopsis pilosula, also known as Dang Shen, Suhua Dangshen, or Chuan Dangshen.
【Related Names】 Dong Dang, Tai Dang, Lu Dang, Kou Dang.
【Properties and Channels】 Sweet, neutral. Enters the Spleen and Lung meridians.
【Characteristics】 Dang Shen is sweet and nourishing, neither drying nor greasy, and enters the Spleen and Lung meridians. Its ability to tonify Qi is inferior to that of Ren Shen (Ginseng), and it is often used for mild cases of Spleen and Lung Qi deficiency. It also generates fluids and nourishes blood, making it suitable for treating fluid deficiency and blood deficiency.
【Functions】 Tonifies the Spleen and Lung, nourishes blood and generates fluids.
【Indications】
1. Poor appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea due to Spleen Qi deficiency.
2. Shortness of breath and spontaneous sweating due to Lung Qi deficiency.
3. Shortness of breath and thirst due to both Qi and fluid deficiency.
4. Pale complexion, dizziness, and palpitations due to blood deficiency.
【Dosage】 9–30g.
【Precautions】 Should not be used with Li Lu (Veratrum). Although Dang Shen is neutral, its sweet and nourishing properties make it unsuitable for use in cases of excess heat.
【Origin】 Mainly produced in Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Sichuan provinces, and Northeast China. Lu Dang (cultivated variety) is produced in Ping Shun, Changzhi, and Hu Guan areas of Shanxi. Suhua Dangshen, also known as Western Dangshen, is primarily produced in Wen County, Gansu, and Nanping, Songpan in Sichuan. Chuan Dangshen is mainly produced in Sichuan, Hubei, and the border areas of Shaanxi.
【Harvesting and Processing】 Harvested in autumn, the aerial parts and fibrous roots are removed, cleaned of soil, dried to semi-dry, kneaded 3-4 times, and then bundled and dried until fully dry.
【Modern Pharmacological Research】 Dang Shen contains triterpenoid compounds (such as dandelion triterpenes), sugars (fructose, glucose), volatile oils, saponins, trace alkaloids, polysaccharides, and 17 amino acids (including 7 essential amino acids), 4 essential macrominerals (K, Na, Ca, Mg), and 7 essential trace elements. It can regulate the gastrointestinal tract, protect gastric mucosa, promote the healing of gastric ulcers, enhance immune function, improve stress resistance, increase red blood cells, white blood cells, and hemoglobin levels, inhibit platelet aggregation, strengthen the heart, regulate blood pressure, prevent myocardial ischemia, improve learning and memory, and exhibit antibacterial effects.
【Clinical Applications】
1. Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Treasure Decoction) (from “Ruizhutang Experience Formula”) treats Qi and blood deficiency syndrome. Symptoms include pale or sallow complexion, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, reduced appetite, pale tongue with thin white coating, and weak or thin pulse. Ingredients: Dang Shen 30g, Dang Gui 30g, Chuan Xiong 30g, Shu Di Huang 30g, Bai Shao 30g, Gan Cao 30g, Fu Ling 30g, Bai Zhu 30g. Take 9g per dose, orally. In this formula, Dang Shen and Shu Di Huang complement each other, providing sweet warmth to tonify Qi and nourish blood, serving as the monarch herb.
2. Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Ten Complete Great Tonifying Decoction) (from “Chuanxin Applicable Formula”) treats Qi and blood deficiency syndrome. Symptoms include sallow complexion, fatigue, reduced appetite, dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, spontaneous sweating, cold limbs, pale tongue, weak pulse, as well as women’s menorrhagia, irregular menstruation, and non-healing sores. Ingredients: Dang Shen 6g, Bai Zhu 9g, Bai Fu Ling 9g, Bai Shao 9g, Huang Qi 12g, Chuan Xiong 6g, Shu Di Huang 12g, Dang Gui 9g, Gan Cao 3g, fresh ginger 3 slices, and 2 dates. Take 9g per dose, strain and take warm, no time restriction. In this formula, Dang Shen is sweet and warm, tonifying Qi and nourishing blood, serving as the monarch herb.
Dang Shen Dietary Recipes
1. Dang Shen and Shu Di Pork Soup: Dang Shen 15g, Goji Berries 15g, Shu Di Huang 15g, Chen Pi 5g, lean pork 250g. Clean and cut the pork into pieces, add with other ingredients into a clay pot, add appropriate amount of water, boil on high heat, skim off the foam, then simmer on low heat for 1-1.5 hours, season with salt to taste. This soup has the effect of tonifying Qi and blood.
2. Dang Shen and Goji Chicken Soup: Dang Shen 30g, Goji Berries 30g, Longan Meat 20g, Chicken 150g. Clean and cut the chicken into small pieces, blanch in boiling water, then in a pot add appropriate amount of water, a little cooking wine, add Goji, Dang Shen, Longan, and chicken, bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for 2 hours, season with salt to taste. This is suitable for periodontal disease due to Qi and blood deficiency: pale gums, gum recession, exposed tooth roots, loose teeth, pale tongue, thin white coating, and deep thin pulse.
3. Dang Shen and Fu Ling Stewed Pigeon: One pigeon, Dang Shen 12g, Fu Ling and Bai Zhu each 6g, Gan Cao 3g, and 15 red dates. Clean the pigeon and herbs, place in a clay pot, add appropriate amount of water, boil, then simmer for 50 minutes, season with salt to taste. This can enhance gastrointestinal function, suitable for those with poor appetite and easy bloating after meals. Regular consumption can improve immune function, strengthen the body, and prevent disease occurrence.
【Warm Reminder】 Not suitable for those with excessive liver fire, Qi stagnation, or those with strong pathogens but weak Zheng Qi.
A Little Story about Dang Shen
Legend has it that the immortals Lü Dongbin and Tie Guaili traveled from the Central Plains to the Taihang Mountains, marveling at the surrounding scenery. When they reached the Ping Shun area, they suddenly saw a wild boar digging in the soil on the hillside. The two immortals, with childlike curiosity, wanted to see what was going on. They noticed that the soil where the boar had dug was loose and shiny, and a plant resembling a bean vine was growing there. Tie Guaili put it in his mouth and chewed while following Lü Dongbin. After a while, Lü Dongbin was out of breath and turned to look at Tie Guaili, who was still following him as if nothing was wrong. Along the way, they met a woodcutter who said this was a divine herb. It is said that in ancient times, there was a family in Shangdang County that heard a voice calling every night, but whenever they went out to check, they could never find anyone. One night, the owner followed the voice and found an unusual plant resembling a human figure over a mile away from home, which was named “Dang Shen” because it was found in Shangdang County.
Dang Shen refers to the dried root of the plant Codonopsis pilosula, Suhua Dangshen, or Chuan Dangshen. According to the “Bencao Gangmu Shiyi” by Zhao Xueming from the Qing Dynasty, it states: “Weng Youliang’s distinction is that Dang Shen can replace Ren Shen, with a yellow skin and horizontal stripes, resembling Fang Feng, hence the name Fang Dang… Its taste is very sweet, surpassing that of jujube flesh.”