Dang Shen - 党参 - Radix Codonopsis - Codonopsis Root
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Radix Codonopsis |
| Common English: | Bonnet Bellflower Codonopsis Root Downy Bellflower Root |
Category
Herbs that Tonify QiProperties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Sweet | Neutral | Lung Spleen | 6-14g Large dose up to 30g Tincture: 1-4ml 6-9g (up to 30g) (Secondary source) |
Actions And Indications
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Tonifies the Middle Jiao and augments Qi | Any chronic illness due to Spleen Qi Deficiency with anorexia, fatigue, tired limbs, diarrhea and vomiting |
Tonifies the Lungs | Lung Qi Deficiency with chronic coughing and shortness of breath Copious sputum due to Spleen Qi Deficiency |
Restores the constitution and assists herbs that release the exterior or drain downward when there is significant Qi Deficiency | Supports the normal while other herbs expel pathogenic influences |
Nourishes the Blood and promotes the generation of Body Fluids | Deficiency of Qi, Blood and Body Fluids especially due to chronic illness |
Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Major Combinations
| Poria | Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae | Rx. Angelicae Sinensis |
Spleen and Stomach Deficiency with fatigue, a sensation of fullness in the abdomen, dizziness, lethargy, shortness of breath, anorexia and loose stools or diarrhea. | Spleen Qi Deficiency with anorexia, loose stools and vomiting. | Qi and Blood Deficiency with dizziness, weakness and lassitude. |
| Rx. Astragali | Rx. Astragali | Rx. Angelicae Sinensis |
Lung and Spleen Qi Deficiency with fatigue, shortness of breath, diarrhea and anorexia. Decreases platelet aggregation. | Coughing due to Deficiency and exhaustion of Lung Qi. | Interior Excess with significant Deficiency. |
| Fol. Perillae | Fr. Schisandrae | Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae |
Exterior Wind-Cold contracted by one who has underlying Qi Deficiency. | Injury to Qi and fluids with shortness of breath and thirst. | Increases the rate of natural rosette formation of lymph cells of peripheral blood vessels. Increases lymphocyte transformation rate Increases serum IgG |
Rx. Astragali | Fr. Aurantii Immaturus | Rx. Astragali |
Increases phagocytosis. | Indigestion and epigastric fullness and distention. | Prolapse of organs due to Qi and Yang Deficiency. |
Rx. Angelicae Sinensis | Rx. Astragali | Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata |
Constipation with Qi Deficiency. | Lung Qi Deficiency. | Blood Deficiency. |
Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae | ||
Qi and Blood Deficiency. |
Notes
- Since abundant Qi gives rise to Blood and Fluids, this herb indirectly supports a normal supply of both.
- Its actions resemble those of Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen, though they are weaker.
- In emergencies, Ginseng is the more usual choice.
- For Spleen Qi Deficiency with poor digestion, Dang Shen works well.
- It is reputed to beautify and refresh the skin.
- Dang Shen and Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen share similar properties and functions. The effects of Ren Shen are far broader, and it is required when the disorder is severe or calls for immediate relief, as in abandonment patterns or profuse bleeding. Dang Shen tonifies Qi and indirectly augments Blood and Fluids, but it neither tonifies Yuan Qi nor directly generates Fluids. Its action is confined to the Spleen and Lungs and is weaker than that of Ren Shen, yet it is adequate for everyday clinical practice and so makes a good substitute for Ren Shen when a Deficiency pattern is not severe. It is frequently used as a low-cost replacement for Ren Shen.
- Dry-fried Codonopsis Chao Dang Shen is warm and more effective at tonifying the Spleen and Stomach. Bran-frying increases its tonifying effect. Frying with white rice strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes the Stomach, and reduces both Food Stagnation and the possible cloying effect of tonification. Frying with yellow earth augments Spleen Qi, stops diarrhea and eases nausea. Frying with Halloysitum Rubrum Chi Shi Zhi boosts its ability to stop diarrhea, making it suitable for severe Spleen Deficiency with persistent diarrhea.
- Prepared Codonopsis Zhi Dang Shen is processed with honey, which allows it to both tonify Middle Jiao Qi and moisten Spleen Yin, treating Spleen Qi and Yin Deficiency or Qi and Blood Deficiency.
- When substituting it for Ren Shen, use two to three times the Ren Shen dose.
From Class
- Dang Shen (Codonopsis): Tonifies Spleen and Lungs; also assists the Lungs in releasing and the Spleen in its integration function (life review). (Lewis)