1. Aliases
Dong Dang, Tai Dang, Lu Dang, Kou Dang.
2. Plant Morphology
Codonopsis (Dang Shen) is a perennial herb of the Campanulaceae family. It can be used as a Chinese herbal medicine, with a sweet taste and neutral nature. The plant has milky sap, and the stem base has many tuberous scars. The roots are relatively large, spindle-shaped and cylindrical, with few branches. The surface of the branches is grayish-yellow, and the leaves are alternate, green in color, growing on the main stem and lateral branches, with leaf shapes being narrow-ovate or ovate.
3. Geographic Distribution
Found in North China, Northwest China, Northeast China, southeastern Tibet, western Sichuan, northwestern Yunnan, eastern Gansu, southern Shaanxi, Ningxia, eastern Qinghai, Henan, Shanxi, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, and Northeast China.
4. Harvesting and Processing
The optimal harvesting period for Codonopsis is three years. The harvesting season can start from the time the above-ground parts wither in autumn until the roots sprout in the following spring. Roots harvested in autumn have sufficient powdery content, high drying rates, and good quality because they accumulate more organic matter and are thicker. The longer harvesting time in autumn, with higher temperatures, facilitates processing.
After digging up the Codonopsis, shake off the soil and wash it clean. First, sort by size, length, and thickness into old, large, and medium sections, and dry them until they are 30-40% dry. When the surface is slightly moist and soft (it should not break when wrapped around a finger), hold the Codonopsis in bunches or place them on a wooden board and rub them by hand. If the roots are too dry, soak them in water before rubbing. After rubbing, dry them again, repeating this process 3-4 times to ensure the skin and flesh of the Codonopsis are tightly adhered, plump, and elastic. Once they are 80-90% dry, they can be stored.
5. Medicinal Properties
Codonopsis appears as a long cylindrical shape, slightly curved, measuring 10-35 cm in length and 0.4-2 cm in diameter. The surface is yellow-brown to gray-brown, with many wart-like protrusions at the root tip and buds, each scar having a depressed round dot at the top. Below the root tip, there are dense ring-like transverse lines that gradually become sparse downwards. Some may reach half the total length, with a slightly hard or slightly flexible texture. When sliced, the cross-section is slightly flat, with cracks or radial patterns, the skin part being light yellow-white to light brown, and the wood part being light yellow. It has a special aroma and a slightly sweet taste.
6. Properties and Meridian Affinities
Sweet and slightly bitter in taste, slightly warm in nature, and enters the Spleen (Pi), Lung (Fei), Heart (Xin), and Kidney (Shen) meridians.
7. Effects and Functions
Tonifies the middle and benefits Qi, strengthens the Spleen and Lung, nourishes blood and generates fluids.
8. Clinical Applications
Can be used to treat cardiovascular diseases, gynecological disorders, and alleviate physical discomfort caused by stress responses. It can also be used as an adjunct to enhance the efficacy of Western medicine and reduce adverse reactions.
9. Pharmacological Research
Effects on the digestive system: regulates gastrointestinal motility, anti-ulcer; enhances immune function; effects on the blood system: enhances hematopoietic function, improves blood rheology; effects on the cardiovascular system: anti-myocardial ischemia, strengthens the heart, anti-shock, regulates blood pressure; effects on the central nervous system: sedative, hypnotic, anti-convulsant, protects brain nerve cells, enhances learning and memory.
10. Chemical Composition
Contains polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, sterols, volatile oils, baicalin glucoside, saponins, and trace alkaloids.
11. Contraindications
Not suitable for individuals with excessive physical deficiency. Although Codonopsis has tonifying effects suitable for those with slight weakness, those with severe deficiency may experience dry mouth, ulcers, etc. Individuals with a hot constitution should avoid it, as Codonopsis can exacerbate internal heat, leading to aggravated symptoms. Such individuals typically have loud voices, irritable temperaments, and a preference for cold drinks.
12. Compatible Formulas
① For treating functional uterine bleeding, take 30-60g of Codonopsis, decoct twice. Take one dose each morning and evening for five consecutive days starting from the first day of menstruation. (Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine)
② For treating oral ulcers in children, use one liang of Codonopsis and five qian of Huangbai. Grind into a fine powder and apply to the affected area. (Compilation of Proven Recipes from Qinghai Province)
③ For clearing lung heat, tonifying Yuan Qi, opening the voice, and assisting muscle strength, use one jin of Codonopsis (soft and sweet, sliced), half a jin of Sha Shen (sliced), and four liang of longan flesh. Decoct to a concentrated juice, drop into a porcelain container. Each time, take one wine cup, mix with hot water, or add to the decoction. (De Pei Ben Cao)
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