Codonopsis, Dang Shen 党参 Dang Shen (TCM) Codonopsis tangshenCurtis’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) 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: 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 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 Ginseng1. Spleen deficiency with Fatigue, Poor appetite, Codonopsis Dang Shen with Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Poria Fu Ling, Licorice (Si Jun Zi Tang)2. Spleen…

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