Codonopsis, Dang Shen 党参

Dang Shen (TCM)
Codonopsis tangshen
Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, 1906

Codonopsis pilosa
(Photo by Kenraiz) (Wikimedia)

Bunches of Codonopsis Dang Shen at the Chengdu Medicine Market (Adam, 2009)

Codonopsis Dang Shen pieces as typically available in the West (Adam, 2023)

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Botanical name:

Codonopsis pilosula, C. tangshen; many local species are used including C. tibulosa, C. clematidea, C. nervosa

Parts used:

Root

Temperature & Taste:

Neutral, Sweet.

Classifications:

N. Qi Tonic

Uses:

1. Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, Increases Qi:
-poor appetite, fatigue, weakness, loose stool
-chronic digestive disorders with Qi deficiency
-Prolapses of the Stomach, Uterus or Bowels

2. Tonifies Lung Qi:
-chronic Cough, shortness of Breath, copious sputum from Spleen deficiency
-useful in chronic Lung disease, COPD etc

Comment:

Codonopsis is regularly used as a substitute for Ginseng in TCM, especially in decoctions due to the expense of Ginseng. Ginseng is required in cases with severe deficiency. Generally 2–4 times the dose of Codonopisis is used to replace Ginseng.

Dose:

Decoction: 6–12 grams; up to 30 grams in severe cases.
Powder: 1–4 grams

Main Combinations:

Generally as for Ginseng

1. Spleen deficiency with Fatigue, Poor appetite, Codonopsis Dang Shen with Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Poria Fu Ling, Licorice (Si Jun Zi Tang)
2. Spleen deficiency with Phlegm and Damp, Codonopsis Dang Shen with Poria Fu Ling, Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Pinellia Ban Xia
3. Diarrhea from Deficiency and Damp, Codonopsis Dang Shen, Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Poria Fu Ling (as in Shen Ling Bai Zhu San)
4. Chronic Cough from Deficiency:
i. Codonopsis Dang Shen with Ganoderma Ling Zhi and Licorice
ii. from Lung Qi deficiency, Codonopsis Dang Shen, Dioscorea Shan Yao and Licorice
5. Qi and Blood deficiency, Codonopsis Dang Shen with Dang Gui and Donkey-hide Gelatin (E Jiao)
6. Excessive sweating from Qi or Yang deficiency, Codonopsis Dang Shen and Astragalus Huang Qi with Cornus Shan Zhu Yu.

Major Formulas

Note that most of the major formulas listed below are intended to use Ginseng. Codonopsis is regularly used in place of Ginseng unless there is severe deficiency.

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Gui Pi Tang
Li Zhong Wan
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Si Jun Zi Yang

Cautions:

Use with caution in cases with excess pathogens. Generally, pathogens need to be relieved before using tonics.

Main Preparations used:

As for Ginseng

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• Extra Info
  
• Research

1. ANTIOXIDANT: –The comparison of antioxidative and hepatoprotective activities of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (CP) and sulfated CP. –The antioxidant effects of aqueous and organic extracts of Panax quinquefolium, Panax notoginseng, Codonopsis pilosula, Pseudostellaria heterophylla and Glehnia littoralis. 2. IMMUNOMODULATORY: –he Polysaccharides from Codonopsis pilosula Modulates the Immunity and Intestinal Microbiota of Cyclophosphamide-Treated Immunosuppressed Mice. –Exopolysaccharides from a Codonopsis pilosula endophyte activate macrophages and inhibit cancer cell proliferation and migration. –Structural characterization of a pectic polysaccharide from Codonopsis pilosula and its immunomodulatory activities in vivo and in vitro. –Immunological adjuvant effect of a water-soluble polysaccharide, CPP, from the roots of Codonopsis pilosula on the immune responses to ovalbumin in mice. –Structural characterization of a water-soluble polysaccharide from the roots of Codonopsis pilosula and its immunity activity. –Stimulating activity of Chinese medicinal herbs on human lymphocytes in vitro. 3. PREBIOTIC EFFECT: –Characterization and prebiotic activity in vitro of inulin-type fructan from Codonopsis pilosula roots. 4. HYPOGLYCEMIC / ANTI-DIABETIC EFFECT: –Characterization and hypoglycemic effect of a neutral polysaccharide extracted from the residue of Codonopsis Pilosula. –Codonopsis lanceolata Water Extract Increases Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity in Rats with Experimentally-Induced Type 2 Diabetes. –[Effects of banqiao radix codonopsis polysaccharide on experimental diabetes in mice]. –Evaluation of antidiabetic potential of selected traditional Chinese medicines in STZ-induced diabetic mice. 5. HEPATOPROTECTIVE: –The comparison of antioxidative and hepatoprotective activities of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (CP) and sulfated CP. 6. CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD): –Effects of Astragalus and Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides on alveolar macrophage phagocytosis and inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mice exposed to PM2.5. –[Inhibitory effects of codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides on the deterioration of impaired phagocytosis of alveolar macrophage induced by fine particulate matter in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mice].

7. ANTI-HYPOXIA: –[Experimental study on anti-fatigue and anti-hypoxia effect of rich selenium-banqiao-codonopsis pilosula]. –[Study on the effect of promoting intelligence development and preventing hypoxia/reoxygenation injury of selenium-banqiao-Codonopsis pilosula-overground part in mice]. 8. COGNITIVE ENHANCING EFFECT / INTELLIGENCE PROMOTING / ENHANCE LEARNING: –Cognitive-Enhancing Effect of Steamed and Fermented Codonopsis lanceolata: A Behavioral and Biochemical Study. –[Study on the effect of promoting intelligence development and preventing hypoxia/reoxygenation injury of selenium-banqiao-Codonopsis pilosula-overground part in mice]. –Dangshen (Codonopsis pilosula) and Bai guo (Gingko biloba) enhance learning and memory. 9. ANTI-ULCER: –Structure Features and Anti-Gastric Ulcer Effects of Inulin-Type Fructan CP-A from the Roots of Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. 10. ANTI-TUMOR: –Anti-Tumor Effect of Steamed Codonopsis lanceolata in H22 Tumor-Bearing Mice and Its Possible Mechanism. –Structural characterization and antitumor activity of a pectic polysaccharide from Codonopsis pilosula. –The inhibitory effect of a polysaccharide from Codonopsis pilosula on tumor growth and metastasis in vitro. 11. ANTI-CANCER: –Exopolysaccharides from a Codonopsis pilosula endophyte activate macrophages and inhibit cancer cell proliferation and migration. 12. ANTI-METASTATIC: –Exopolysaccharides from a Codonopsis pilosula endophyte activate macrophages and inhibit cancer cell proliferation and migration. –Codonopsis lanceolata polysaccharide CLPS inhibits melanoma metastasis via regulating integrin signaling. –Codonolactone, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Chloranthus henryi Hemsl, inhibits breast cancer cell invasion, migration and metastasis by downregulating the transcriptional activity of Runx2. –The inhibitory effect of a polysaccharide from Codonopsis pilosula on tumor growth and metastasis in vitro.