Dang Shen
Codonopsis Radix
Source
The source is the root of the plant Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., also known as the variety Suhua Dangshen (C. pilosula Nannf. var. (Nannf.) L.T. Shen) or Chuan Dangshen (C. tangshen Oliv.).
Aliases
Shang Dangshen, Fengfeng Dangshen, Huangshen, and Fangdang.
Distribution and Growth Environment
It is distributed in Northeast China, Hebei, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, and Qinghai.
It grows in mountainous shrub areas and forest edges.
Harvesting and Processing
After transplanting, in the 2nd or 3rd year, in September to October, the roots are dug up, cleaned, and sun-dried for 4-6 hours. They are then tied with string, kneaded to make the roots firm, and after 3-4 rounds of processing, they can be bundled and stored or processed further.
Identification of Characteristics
Dang Shen: It is long cylindrical, slightly curved, 10-35 cm long, and 0.4-2 cm in diameter. The surface is yellow-brown to gray-brown, with numerous warty protrusions at the root tip and buds. Each stem scar has a depressed round dot at the top; below the root tip, there are dense ring-like transverse wrinkles, which gradually become sparse downwards, some reaching half the total length. Cultivated varieties have fewer or no ring-like transverse wrinkles; the whole root has longitudinal wrinkles and scattered horizontal lenticels, and the broken root often has black-brown gelatinous material. The texture is slightly hard or slightly flexible, with a slightly flat fracture surface, which may have cracks or radial patterns. The bark is light yellow-white to light brown, and the wood part is light yellow. It has a special aroma and a slightly sweet taste.
Suhua Dangshen (Western Dangshen): 10-35 cm long, 0.5-2.5 cm in diameter. The surface is yellow-white to gray-yellow, and the dense ring-like transverse wrinkles at the root tip often reach more than half the total length. The fracture surface has more cracks, with the bark being gray-white to light brown and the wood part being light yellow.
Chuan Dangshen: 10-45 cm long, 0.5-2 cm in diameter. The surface is gray-yellow to yellow-brown, with obvious irregular longitudinal grooves. The texture is softer yet firm, with fewer cracks on the fracture surface, the bark is yellow-white, and the wood part is light yellow.
Properties and Channels
It has a sweet taste, is neutral in nature, and enters the Spleen and Lung meridians.
Effects
It tonifies the Spleen and benefits the Lung, generates fluids, and nourishes the blood.
Indications
It is indicated for Spleen and Stomach deficiency, Lung deficiency with cough and wheezing, fluid damage with thirst, and blood deficiency with weakness.
Pharmacological Research
It affects the central nervous system, digestive system, cardiovascular system, has antibacterial effects, influences the blood system, impacts the immune system, enhances cold resistance, and has certain effects on lowering blood sugar, improving learning and memory functions, enhancing SOD activity, anti-hypoxia, anti-radiation, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.
Chemical Components
This product contains sterols, Codonopsis saponins, Codonopsis polysaccharides, Codonopsis lactones, alkaloids, inorganic elements, amino acids, trace elements, etc.
Performance Characteristics
Dang Shen has a sweet and neutral nature, with a mild effect and weak potency. It tonifies Spleen Qi, Lung Qi, benefits Qi, generates fluids, nourishes blood, and supports the righteous Qi while dispelling evil. It can be used for Spleen Qi deficiency, Lung Qi deficiency, fluid damage with thirst, diabetes, blood deficiency, and Qi deficiency with evil excess. For mild symptoms and chronic diseases, Dang Shen can be used in large doses to replace Ren Shen (Ginseng), while for acute and severe conditions, Ren Shen is preferred.
Contraindications
It is most suitable for cold deficiency conditions; if it is a heat condition, it should not be used alone.
Editor: Science and Education Department
