Dang Shen (Codonopsis pilosula) appears as oval or round thick slices, with a yellow-brown or gray-yellow surface, and a yellow-white or yellow-brown cross-section, featuring cracks or chrysanthemum patterns, with a light yellow center. It is harvested in autumn, cleaned, and dried.
Dang Shen is a commonly used traditional tonic herb in China, primarily found in regions such as southeastern Tibet, western Sichuan, northwestern Yunnan, southern Gansu, southern Shaanxi, Guizhou, Ningxia, Qinghai, and Inner Mongolia, especially thriving at altitudes of 1560-3100 meters in Tibet and Gansu.
Nutritional Benefits of Dang Shen
Dang Shen contains polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, sterols, volatile oils, vitamins B1, B2, and various essential amino acids, as well as baicalin glycosides, saponins, trace alkaloids, and trace elements, which enhance immunity, lower blood pressure, tonify the middle and boost qi, and nourish blood.
1Enhancing Immunity
Dang Shen has a stimulating effect on the nervous system, enhancing the body’s resistance.
2Lowering Blood Pressure
It can dilate peripheral blood vessels to lower blood pressure and inhibit the hypertensive effect of adrenaline.
3Tonifying the Middle and Boosting Qi
The primary function of Dang Shen is to tonify the middle and boost qi. It strengthens the spleen and benefits the lungs, suitable for those with qi deficiency. Symptoms include weakness in the limbs, poor appetite, and loose stools.
4Nourishing Blood
Dang Shen not only tonifies qi but also nourishes blood, which is another significant characteristic. Therefore, it is suitable for those with both qi and blood deficiency, shortness of breath, palpitations, fatigue, pale complexion, dizziness, poor appetite, loose stools, and those prone to colds.
5Preventing Gastric Ulcers
It regulates gastrointestinal motility, has anti-ulcer properties, inhibits gastric acid secretion, and reduces gastric protease activity.
Cooking Methods for Dang Shen – Soup Recipes
01. Angelica, Red Dates, and Dang Shen Chicken Soup
Ingredients: Angelica (Dang Gui), Dang Shen (Codonopsis pilosula), red dates, goji berries, and a whole chicken.Method:1. Prepare Angelica, Dang Shen, red dates, and goji berries, and clean the chicken.2. In a clean clay pot, place the chicken, scallions, ginger, and cooking wine, adding water to the maximum level.3. Bring to a boil over high heat, skim off the foam, add Angelica, Dang Shen, and red dates, cover, and simmer on low heat for 1 hour. Add goji berries and salt to taste, then cook for another 3 minutes before serving. A small bowl daily is recommended, but do not overconsume.Benefits: Strengthens the spleen, nourishes the lungs, and boosts qi.
02. Carp and Dang Shen Soup
Ingredients: 1 carp (about 250g), 4 pieces of tofu, 30g Dang Shen, 10g cooked ham, 50g lean pork.Method:1. Clean the carp, drain, and fry in oil; slice the lean pork.2. Boil the pork slices, ham, and Dang Shen in meat broth, then add the carp and tofu. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 20 minutes on low heat, seasoning with salt, MSG, and cilantro.Benefits: Boosts qi, strengthens the spleen, promotes diuresis, and reduces swelling. Suitable for kidney yang deficiency with symptoms of low back pain, edema (more pronounced below the waist), pale complexion, fatigue, and a pale red tongue with a white, slippery coating.
03. Dang Shen, Lotus Root, and Pig Trotter Soup
Ingredients: 640g lotus root, 240g pig trotter, 20g Dang Shen, 50g dried red dates, 5g dried tangerine peel.Method:1. Clean the lotus root and peel; wash the red dates and remove the pits; clean the Dang Shen, tangerine peel, and pig trotter.2. Place Dang Shen, lotus root, red dates, tangerine peel, and pig trotter in boiling water and simmer for 3 hours over medium heat.3. Season with fine salt and serve.Benefits: Tonifies the middle and boosts qi, strengthens the spleen and stomach, calms the mind, nourishes yin, and replenishes muscle.
Cooking Methods for Dang Shen – Staple Food Recipes
04. Dang Shen and Red Date Rice
Ingredients: 5g Dang Shen, 10 red dates, 200g glutinous rice, 25g white sugar.Method:1. Soak Dang Shen and red dates in water, then boil for half an hour, removing the Dang Shen and dates, and reserving the broth.2. Rinse the glutinous rice, add appropriate water, steam until cooked, then invert onto a plate. Place the dates on top and pour the broth mixed with sugar over the rice.Benefits: Suitable for those with physical weakness, qi deficiency, fatigue, palpitations, poor appetite, and edema.
05. Dang Shen and Astragalus Congee
Ingredients: 10g Dang Shen, 10g Astragalus (Huang Qi), 100g japonica rice.Method:1. Boil Dang Shen and Astragalus to extract the juice.2. Add the japonica rice to the herbal juice and cook into congee, seasoning with white sugar.Benefits: This formula tonifies the qi of the spleen and lungs, while Astragalus also stabilizes the exterior and stops sweating. It is used for lung and spleen qi deficiency, fatigue, shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, and poor appetite with loose stools.
06. Dang Shen and Poria Congee
Ingredients: 3-5g Dang Shen, 15-20g white Poria (Fu Ling), 3-5g fresh ginger, 100g rice.Method:1. Slice Dang Shen, crush Poria and ginger.2. Boil Dang Shen, white Poria, and ginger in water, strain to obtain the juice.3. Add rice to the herbal juice and cook into congee, adding a little salt before serving.Benefits: Boosts qi, replenishes deficiency, strengthens the spleen, and nourishes the stomach. It is indicated for typhoid fever with disharmony of stomach qi, loss of appetite, gradual weakness, qi deficiency, and insufficient spleen and stomach, leading to fatigue, pale complexion, reduced food intake, poor appetite, and thin stools.
Cooking Methods for Dang Shen – Beverage Recipes
07. Astragalus, Dang Shen, and Goji Berry Wine
Ingredients: 60g Astragalus, 60g goji berries, 30g Dang Shen, 2L yellow rice wine, 60g Poria, 30g pitted red dates, 40-50g rock sugar.Method:1. Remove impurities from all ingredients, blend in a food processor until coarsely chopped, and wrap in cheesecloth.Note: If using white liquor, it can be soaked without grinding due to its high alcohol content and good permeability.2. Place the cheesecloth bag in a clean, dry glass or ceramic container, pour in the yellow rice wine, seal, and store away from light. Shake the bottle every 5 days, and it can be consumed after one month.Benefits: Tonifies the middle and boosts qi.
08. Dang Shen and Goji Berry Tea
Ingredients: 5g Dang Shen, 2g goji berries, 0.5g Sichuan pepper, 1 small piece of ginger, 150g lean meat.Method:1. Place Dang Shen, Sichuan pepper, ginger, and 3 bowls of water in a pot, and simmer on low heat for about 25 minutes.2. Add the lean meat and continue to simmer for 3 minutes, then sprinkle in goji berries before serving.Benefits: Strengthens the spleen and nourishes the chest.
09. Black Date and Dang Shen Health Tea
Ingredients: 6 black dates, 6 Xinjiang red dates, 2 honey dates, 10g Dang Shen.Method:1. Soak Dang Shen for 15 minutes.2. Place the cleaned black dates, red dates, honey dates, and soaked Dang Shen in a slow cooker with water (7 parts full to avoid overflow).3. Slow cook for 3-5 hours before serving.Benefits: Suitable for symptoms of qi and blood deficiency, spleen and stomach qi deficiency, fatigue, weakness in the limbs, and insufficient lung qi.
Cooking Methods for Dang Shen – Individual Tonic Recipes
10. Dried Dang Shen
Method: Take 500g of Dang Shen, wash, cut off the root ends, place in a container, and steam once or twice daily for three to four days until it becomes soft and sticky, with a sweet aroma. Chew 10-15g in the morning and evening.Benefits: Boosts qi, strengthens the spleen, promotes diuresis, and reduces swelling.
11. Dang Shen Paste
Method: Boil Dang Shen, concentrate the decoction, and when thick, add an equal amount of white sugar or honey, stirring until well mixed to form Dang Shen paste, which can be taken with warm water daily.Benefits: Suitable for symptoms of qi and blood deficiency, weak spleen and stomach, muscle soreness, and mental fatigue.
Source: Kangmei Traditional Chinese Medicine Health, copyright belongs to the original author. If there is any infringement, please contact for deletion. Thank you!
Editor: Lao Zhou
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