Codonopsis Codonopsis pilosula
- Common Names
- Codonopsis , Dang Shen, tangshen, Bastard Ginseng, bonnet bellflowers
- Botanical Name
- Codonopsis pilosula
- Family
- CAMPANULACEAE
Medicinal Uses & Benefits of Codonopsis
How to Use|
Side Effects |
Plant & Garden|
- Medicinal Uses: * Chinese
* Hypertension
* Immune
* Menorrhagia
- Properties: * Hypotensive
- Parts Used: taproot
- Constituents: friedelin, taraxerol, alpha-spinasterol, alpha-spinasterol-beta-d-glucopyranoside, n-butyl-alpha-d-fructofuranoside and n-butyl-beta-d-fructopyranoside
How to Use: Codonopsis
Codonopsis is a relatively inexpensive herb that is often substituted for Panax ginseng in herbal tonics. It is believed to have an action similar to that of panax ginseng, but milder. Often used by poorer Chinese patients, it is commonly referred to as "poor man's ginseng". It's relatively low cost does not diminish it's place as one of the more important Chinese herbal medicines.
Codonopsis has been used as an astringent in excessive uterine bleeding, and for rheumatic and other joint pains, and described as an aphrodisiac, general tonic and styptic...Pharmacological research has confirmed that the herb promotes digestion and metabolism, helps to strengthen the immune system, stimulates the nervous system, dilates peripheral blood vessels, and inhibits adrenal cortex activity, thereby lowering blood pressure. 1
Preparation Methods & Dosage :Teas, tablets, and tinctures.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
As a cooling herb, codonopsis is useful in any illness in which "spleen qi deficiency" a deficiency of digestive energies, is the underlying cause.
Mountain Rose Herbs (2008-06-21)
Plant Description
The genus Codonopsis includes 40 or more of species of herbaceous perennials native to Central and East Asia.Codonopsis is a twining perennial with oval leaves and purple-veined green flowers About half of these species have been used as a source plant for dang-shen, the dried root often used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Regional Traditions :Traditional Chinese Medicine *
Works Cited- Foster,Steven, Yue chongxi. "Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West", Healing Arts Press (1992)
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