This product is the dried root of the perennial herbaceous plant Tangshen (Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf.), plain-flowered Tangshen (Codonopsis pilosula Nannf. var. modesta (Nannf.) L.T.Shen), or Sichuan Tangshen (Codonopsis tangshen Oliv.) from the Platycodon Root family. It is mainly produced in the provinces of Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Sichuan. It is most famous for being produced in Shangdang, Shanxi, hence the name Tangshen. It is harvested in autumn, washed, and dried. Thick slices are cut and used raw.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Sweet, neutral. Act on spleen and lung meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Tonifying qi, promoting fluid production, nourishing blood.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for middle qi deficiency with symptoms of physical weakness, fatigue, poor appetite, and loose stools. It can tonify the middle and replenish qi. It is often combined with Astragalus Root, White Atractylodes Rhizome, etc.
2. Used for lung qi deficiency with symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, and weak voice. It can tonify the lung and replenish qi. It can be combined with Skullcap Root, Schisandra Fruit, etc.
3. Used for dual deficiency of qi and body fluids with symptoms of shortness of breath, thirst, and dual deficiency of qi and blood with symptoms of pale complexion, dizziness, and palpitations. It has the effects of tonifying qi and promoting fluid production, as well as tonifying qi and promoting blood production. It can be used separately with Ophiopogon Tuber, Schisandra Fruit, etc., as fluid-promoting medicinals, or with Chinese Angelica, Prepared Rehmannia Root, etc., as blood tonics. In addition, for qi deficiency with external contraction or deficiency-type pathogen excess, it can be combined with exterior-releasing medicinals or interior-purging medicinals to reinforce healthy qi and eliminate pathogenic factors.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Bencao Congxin: "Primarily tonifies the middle and replenishes qi, harmonizes the spleen and stomach, and eliminates thirst. For weak middle qi, it is used for regulation and supplementation, being very gentle and appropriate."
2. Bencao Gangmu Shiyi: "Treats lung deficiency, can benefit lung qi."
3. Bencaozheng Yi: "Its power can tonify the spleen and nourish the stomach, moisten the lung and produce fluid, strengthen and move middle qi, fundamentally not far from Ginseng. What is especially valuable is that it strengthens the spleen without being drying; nourishes stomach yin without being damp; moistens the lungs without being cold; nourishes blood without being overly greasy, stimulates clear yang, invigorates middle qi without the drawbacks of harsh dryness."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 10-30g.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

Tangshen contains saponins, trace alkaloids, sugars, vitamin B₁, B₂, various essential inorganic elements for the human body, and amino acids, among others.

• Tangshen has a stimulating effect on the nervous system and can enhance the body's resistance;
• it can increase red blood cells and hemoglobin in rabbits;
• it can dilate peripheral blood vessels to lower blood pressure and can inhibit the blood pressure-raising effect of adrenaline;
• it has the effects of regulating gastrointestinal motility, anti-ulcer, inhibiting gastric acid secretion, and reducing pepsin activity;
• it also has the effect of elevating white blood cell counts that have been reduced by chemotherapy and radiation.

bubble_chart Supplementary Medicinals

Medicinal Changium Root is the dried root of the perennial herbaceous plant Changium smyrnioides Wolff, belonging to the Apiaceae family. It has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, and is slightly cold in nature. It acts on the lung and spleen meridians. It is capable of moistening dryness and resolving phlegm, as well as tonifying yin and harmonizing the stomach. It is primarily used to treat lung heat cough, reduced appetite, and dry mouth. It is not the same as Tangshen, and their effects are also different.