Codonopsis

28Jan08

Codonopsis
Codonopsis pilosula

AKA: Codonopsis tangshen, Dang shen

Portrait: Perennial. Native to northeastern China, especially the Shanxi and Szechuan provinces. Grows in a twining fashion up to 5 feet. Greenish flowers with purple veins appear in summer. Harvested in autumn after plant dies back for winter.

Medicinal Element: Roots

Herbal Properties: Expectorant, galactagogue, stimulant, tonic

Summary: Commonly used in Chinese medicine, codonopsis is used as a milder substitute for Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng). Said to improve vitality and balance metabolic function, this herb is more effective than Asian ginseng in reducing levels of endogenous adrenaline, a hormone mainly responsible for physiological responses to stress. Eastern herbalists believe this herb can raise the red and white blood cell counts in persons undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. Other conditions codonopsis is used for includes chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, diabetes, and hypertension. Lactating women claim that a decoction of the roots stimulates and increases breast milk production. The gentle expectorant properties of codonopsis make it a valuable herb for treating respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, and shortness of breath due to chest congestion.

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