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National Level 3 Class A Traditional Chinese Medicine Comprehensive Hospital Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qianxinan Hospital
Codonopsis (Dang Shen) is the root of the perennial herbaceous plant of the Campanulaceae family, Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., or its variety, Codonopsis pilosula Nannf. var. modesta (Nannf.) L.T. Shen, or Codonopsis tongshen Oliv. It is mainly produced in Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Northeast China, and Sichuan. It can be found wild or cultivated, harvested in autumn. It has a special fragrance and a slightly sweet taste. The best quality is characterized by thick roots, loose skin, firm flesh, soft texture, and strong aroma. The processed products include raw Codonopsis, rice-fried Codonopsis, and honey-fried Codonopsis.
The name Codonopsis first appeared in the Qing Dynasty in Wu Yiluo’s “New Herbal Medicine”. Xie Zongwan in “Discussion on Medicinal Material Varieties” stated, “It is named because it originally comes from the Shangdang region of Shanxi, and its root shape resembles ginseng.” Other names for this herb include 防党 (Fang Dang), 狮头参 (Lion’s Head Ginseng), 川党 (Chuan Dang) (as per “Supplement to Compendium of Materia Medica”), and 黄参 (Huang Shen) (as per “Mirror of Hundred Herbs”).
Flavor and Properties
Sweet, neutral. Enters the Spleen and Lung meridians.
Main 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 yellow complexion, palpitations, shortness of breath, thirst due to fluid damage, and internal heat leading to thirst. Dosage 9–30g. It can also be used in pills or powders, or stewed with chicken, duck, pigeon, or pig’s trotters. Clinical Applications
- Spleen and Lung Qi deficiency, poor appetite, fatigue, cough with shortness of breath
Codonopsis has a sweet flavor and neutral nature, primarily entering the Spleen and Lung meridians, and has a similar but milder Qi-replenishing effect as ginseng, making it a good medicine for tonifying the middle and benefiting Qi. It treats symptoms of Spleen Qi deficiency, fatigue, poor appetite, and loose stools, often used in combination with Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Fu Ling (Poria) to strengthen Qi and tonify the Spleen while eliminating dampness. For Lung Qi deficiency, cough, shortness of breath, and low voice, it can be combined with Huang Qi (Astragalus) and Ge Jie (Gecko) to tonify Lung Qi and stop cough. In modern clinical practice, Codonopsis is often used to replace ginseng in ancient formulas for treating mild Spleen and Lung Qi deficiency.
- Insufficient Qi and blood, dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath
This herb has the ability to tonify both Qi and blood, thus suitable for cases where Qi deficiency cannot generate blood, or blood deficiency cannot transform Qi, leading to symptoms such as pale or sallow complexion, fatigue, dizziness, and palpitations. It is often combined with Huang Qi (Astragalus), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), and Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia) to enhance the effect of tonifying Qi and blood.
- Damage to both Qi and fluids, shortness of breath, thirst, internal heat leading to thirst
This herb has the effect of tonifying Qi and generating fluids, suitable for cases of damage to both Qi and fluids, shortness of breath, and thirst due to internal heat. It can be used in combination with Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), and Huang Qi (Astragalus).
Precautions
Both Codonopsis and ginseng have a sweet flavor and enter the Spleen and Lung meridians, both possessing Qi-tonifying and fluid-generating effects, suitable for Spleen and Lung Qi deficiency, damage to both Qi and fluids, and dual deficiency of Qi and blood, as well as blood deficiency leading to sallow complexion. However, since Codonopsis is not as potent as ginseng in tonifying Spleen and Lung Qi, it can be used as a substitute for ginseng in cases of Spleen and Lung Qi deficiency, but in larger doses. Due to its mild nature, Codonopsis is suitable for daily use, and is often found in various medicinal dishes, such as Ginseng and Astragalus Black Chicken Soup, Codonopsis and Poria Soup, and Codonopsis and Perilla Leaf Tea. Dietary Recipes with Codonopsis
- Codonopsis and Jujube Rice
【Ingredients】5g of Codonopsis, 10 jujubes, 100g of glutinous rice, appropriate amount of white sugar.
【Method】Wash and slice the Codonopsis, wash the jujubes, place both in a bowl, add white sugar and soak in water for about 30 minutes, then pour into a clay pot to simmer; put the glutinous rice in a bowl, add clean water, and steam until cooked; boil the medicinal juice with white sugar until thick, then pour over the glutinous rice. Consume in two portions daily, twice a week.
【Effect】This dish has the effects of tonifying Spleen Qi, nourishing Stomach Qi, increasing appetite, and boosting energy, especially suitable for school-age children.
- Spicy Stir-fried Squid with Codonopsis
【Ingredients】10g of Codonopsis, 150g of fresh squid, appropriate amounts of green and red peppers, scallions, ginger, salt, and pepper.
【Method】Soak the Codonopsis and chop finely; cut the squid into thin strips and stir-fry in oil until cooked; cut the green and red peppers into strips; in another pan, sauté scallions and ginger, add the chopped Codonopsis, green and red pepper strips, and squid strips, stir-fry evenly; season with salt and pepper to taste. Consume once daily, 1-2 times a week.
【Effect】Both Codonopsis and squid in this dish can tonify Qi and benefit the Spleen, effectively improving various symptoms caused by Qi deficiency and Spleen and Stomach discomfort, especially suitable for those with poor appetite.
- Codonopsis and Angelica Sinensis Stewed Pig’s Trotters
【Ingredients】10g each of Angelica Sinensis and Codonopsis, 1 pig’s trotter, appropriate amounts of salt, scallions, ginger, and cooking wine.
【Method】Wash the pig’s trotter and cut into large pieces, place it in a pot with Angelica Sinensis, Codonopsis, scallions, and ginger, add appropriate amounts of clean water, season with salt and cooking wine, bring to a boil, then simmer until the pig’s trotter is cooked. Serve with meals, one dose every other day.
【Effect】This dish has the effects of tonifying Qi, nourishing blood, and moistening Yin, effectively treating menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, and abdominal pain during menstruation, and has certain lactation-promoting effects.
- Codonopsis and Angelica Sinensis Black Chicken Soup
【Ingredients】Codonopsis, Angelica Sinensis, white lotus seeds, Astragalus, lily, coix seed, red dates, goji berries, and one black chicken, with a little salt.
【Method】Prepare the black chicken whole or cut into small pieces; wash all ingredients with clean water and set aside; place all ingredients along with the black chicken in a soup pot, add appropriate amounts of clean water. Bring the soup to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 2 hours, adding salt to taste.
【Effect】Codonopsis and Angelica Sinensis Black Chicken Soup is very suitable for those with insufficient Qi and blood, dull skin, weakness in hands and feet, easy fatigue, and dizziness, especially for daily conditioning in women.
- Codonopsis and Jujube Tea
【Ingredients】20g of Codonopsis, 8 jujubes, and 3g of green tea.
【Method】Wash the jujubes, remove the pits, and slice; rinse the Codonopsis and green tea with warm water; place Codonopsis, green tea, and jujubes in a pot and simmer, bringing to a boil, then simmer on low for 3 minutes before drinking.
【Effect】The combination of Codonopsis and jujubes in water has the effect of tonifying Qi and nourishing blood, strengthening the Spleen and Stomach. Note to consume in moderation to avoid overheating.
- Codonopsis and Astragalus Porridge
【Ingredients】15g of Codonopsis, 30g of Astragalus, 30g of yam, 100g of japonica rice, and salt to taste.
【Method】First, boil the Astragalus and Codonopsis in water for 40 minutes. You can add more water at once. While boiling, wash the rice, soak for 10 minutes, and prepare the yam by cutting it into small pieces. After 40 minutes, remove the Astragalus and Codonopsis, let the water cool slightly, then add the yam and 100g of rice to cook into porridge, consuming 1-2 times a week.
【Effect】This porridge is nourishing and beneficial for the stomach, tonifying Qi and replenishing deficiency, and is suitable for those with Spleen and Stomach weakness, presenting symptoms such as stomach pain, weakness, poor appetite, pale complexion, and weak pulse.
END
Address of Qianxinan Prefecture Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital:36 Hunan Street, Xingyi City
Outpatient Phone:0859—2237878 2218139
Consultation Phone: 0859—2299999
Source: Pharmacy Department
Editor: Wang Jian, Li Xiao
First Review: Yuan Hong
Second Review: He Qiaoxin
Third Review: Chen Guizhu
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