Codonopsis
CODONOPSIS RADIX
Source: The dried root of the plant Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., or its varieties such as Codonopsis pilosula Nannf. var. modesta (Nannf.) L.T. Shen or Codonopsis tangshen Oliv. It is harvested in autumn, cleaned, and dried.
Alias: Lu Dangshen, Shang Dangshen, Dongdang, Liao Dang, Zhong Lingcao.
Functions and Indications: Strengthens the spleen and benefits the lungs, nourishes blood and generates fluids. Used for spleen and lung qi deficiency, poor appetite, fatigue, cough with shortness of breath, insufficient qi and blood, pale complexion, palpitations, shortness of breath, thirst due to fluid damage, and internal heat leading to thirst.
Codonopsis
Practical Formulas
① Clear lung gold, replenish original qi, open voice, assist muscle strength: 1 pound of Codonopsis (soft and sweet, sliced), 0.5 pounds of Sha Shen (sliced), 4 ounces of longan flesh. Boil in water to concentrate, until it drips like pearls, store in ceramic. Take one wine cup, mix with hot water to drink, or mix into the decoction. (From “De Pei Ben Cao” Shang Dangshen Paste)② Treat diarrhea and postpartum qi deficiency with prolapse: 2 qian of Codonopsis (remove the skin, stir-fried with rice), 1.5 qian each of roasted Astragalus, Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), nutmeg powder, and Poria, 2 qian of Huai Shan Yao (Chinese yam, stir-fried), 6 fen of Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga), and 7 fen of roasted licorice. Add 2 slices of ginger to decoct, or add 5 fen of prepared Aconite. (From “Bu Zhi Yi Bi Yao” Shen Qi Bai Zhu Decoction)③ Treat cold and dampness affecting the spleen and stomach, causing sores in the mouth and tongue; 2 qian each of roasted Codonopsis and roasted Astragalus, 1 qian of Poria, 5 fen of raw licorice, and 7 fen of Bai Shao (white peony). Boil in water and take warm. (From “Hou Ke Zi Zhen Ji” Shen Qi An Wei San)④ Treat oral sores in children: 1 liang of Codonopsis and 5 qian of Huang Bai (Phellodendron). Grind into fine powder and apply to the affected area. (From “Qinghai Province TCM Prescription Compilation”)⑤ Inhibit or kill leprosy bacilli: equal amounts of Codonopsis, Chong Lou (Zao Jiao), and the bark of the thorny root (Zao Mu). Grind Codonopsis and Chong Lou into fine powder; then boil the thorny root bark in an appropriate amount of water three times, concentrate the decoction to a certain amount (enough to moisten the fine powder of Codonopsis and Chong Lou), add an appropriate amount of honey. Mix the fine powders of Chong Lou and Codonopsis into pills, each weighing 3 qian; can also be made into a paste. Take three times a day, one pill each time, with warm water. (From Beijing University of Chinese Medicine “New Medical Method Compilation”)
Consumption Method
Codonopsis Stewed Chicken
Ingredients: Codonopsis, hen, shiitake mushrooms, chestnuts, goji berries, green onions, ginger, etc.
1. Clean the Codonopsis, soak the shiitake mushrooms, and shell the chestnuts.
2. Soak the slaughtered hen in clean water for half a day, changing the water twice if possible, then clean it thoroughly.
3. Stuff two shiitake mushrooms and green onions and ginger into the hen’s cavity.
4. Place the prepared hen in a pot, add Codonopsis, shiitake mushrooms, chestnuts, green onions, and ginger, and add enough water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover and simmer on low heat for about an hour.
