Glehnia, Bei Sha Shen 北沙参

Adenophora, Nan Sha Shen 南沙参

Picture Glehnia littoralis
Komorov, V.L., Flora of the U.S.S.R., vol. 17

Picture Glehnia littoralis
Photo by Pieria

Picture Picture
Adenophora stricta
Photo by Kenraiz (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


There are two main varieties of Sha Shen:
  1. Bei Sha Shen: Glehnia littoralis (Northern China)
  2. Nan Sha Shen: Adenophora tetraphylla, A. stricta (Southern China)
The two roots are largely synonymous, and were only differentiated in the 17th century.

Parts used:


Root

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, moist. Sweet, slightly Bitter

Classifications:


N. Tonics

Uses:


1. Nourishes Lung Yin, Clears Lung Heat:
-dry, non-productive Cough from Heat and Yin deficiency
-chronic Cough
-Hemoptysis, Consumption
-it has been used alone for Lung-heat Cough
-also used alone for weak pulse and cold limbs after Blood loss (Chengdu Chinese Herbal Medicine)

2. Nourishes Stomach Yin, Generates Fluids:
-dry mouth, thirst, irritability
-also for toothache caused by Stomach Fire from Yin deficiency

3. Promotes Milk:
-cooked with Pork and the soup drunk, promotes breast Milk


Dose:


Powder: 2–4 grams
Decoction: 4–9 grams

Comment:


1. Glehnia is generally regarded as stronger, and is more commonly used. If Sha Shen is written in a prescription without specifying a particular variety, Glehnia is generally prescribed.
2. Glehnia is heavier, richer, and better to nourish Yin, especially of the Stomach. Adenophora is better to clear heat and phlegm from the Lungs while still nourishing Lung Yin.
3. The two roots are often combined.

Main Combinations:


1. To nourish Lung and Stomach Yin:
i. Glehnia Bei Sha Shen with Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong
ii. Glehnia Bei Sha Shen with Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong, Solomon’s Seal (Yu Zhu), Mulberry leaf (Sang Ye), Trichosanthes Tian Hua Fen, Licorice (as in Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang)
2. Dry Cough, Glehnia Bei Sha Shen with Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong, Almond (Xing Ren), Licorice
3. Qi and Yin deficiency following Fever, Glehnia Bei Sha Shen, Pseudostellaria Tai Zi Shen, Dioscorea Shan Yao
4. Hemoptysis with Lung Yin deficiency, Glehnia Bei Sha Shen with Anemarrhena Zhi Mu, Fritillaria Chuan Bei Mu
5. Stomach Yin deficiency with Heat, Glehnia Bei Sha Shen with Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong (as in Yi Wei Tang)
6. Heart and Lung Fire with Palpitations and shortness of Breath, Glehnia Bei Sha Shen with Aloeswood, Sandalwood, Safflower, Nutmeg, Tabasheer (as in Aloeswood Clear the Heart 8 Powder)

Major Formulas


Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang
Yi Guan Jian
Aloeswood Clear the Heart 8 Powder

Cautions:


1. Not used for Cold-type Cough
2. Use cautiously in cold and weak digestion

Drug Interactions:


1. Incompatible with Veratrum

Main Preparations used: