Dang Shen

Thirty species of perennial climbers belong to this genus, which is distributed through the Himalayas to Japan. Most of the species are in cultivation, often grown on banks and trained over supports or larger plants, so that the intricately patterned insides of the flowers can be appreciated. The name is from the Greek kodon "bell", and opsis, "resemblence", because the flowers are bell-shaped. Codonopsis pilosula is extensively cultivated in China as a medicinal plant. It is highly regarded in traditional Chinese medicine as a substitute for Panax ginseng (See, ginseng). Several other species are used interchangeably, including C. tangshen (chuan dang) and C. tubulosa (white dang shen). A famous chinese energy tonic is the "soup of the four gentlemen", first described c.CE1200 which contains Codonopsis pilosula, Actractylodes macrocephela (See, chinese thistle), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (See, licorice), and Wolfiporia cocos (See, Indian bread).

Twining climber with slender stems and pale green, hairy, ovate leaves, to 4cm (1½in) long. Solitary, bell-shaped, pale green flowers, about 2.5cm (1in) long, appear on leafy lateral branches in summer.


Common Name:
Dang Shen
Other Names:
Bastard ginseng, bellflower
Botanical Name:
Codonopsis pilosula
Genus:
Codonopsis
Family:
Campanulaceae
Location:
NE Asia
Cultivation:
Light, well-drained, sandy, slightly acid soil in semi-shade.
Propagation:
By seed sown under cover in spring or autumn; by cuttings of basal shoots in spring. Seedlings have delicate taproots, needing care when transplanting.
Harvest:
Roots are lifted in autumn from plants at least three years old and used fresh, or dried for decoctions by threading onto strings and rubbing vigorously at intervals to distribute moisture until completely dry. Often used in the form of a tincture by Western herbalists.
Height:
2m (6ft)
Hardiness:
Z5-9
Parts Used:
Roots (dang shen)
Properties:
A sweet, warm, soothing herb, taken as an energy tonic. It acts mainly on the spleen, lungs, and stomach, raising body-fluid secretions and blood sugar levels, lowering blood pressure, and stimulating the immune system.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for low energy, poor appetite and digestion, anemia, shallow breathing, asthma, fatigue, and debility after illness. In Chinese folk medicine to stimulate milk production in nursing mothers. Often cooked with rice until glutinous as a tonic food.
Culinary Uses:
Roots are roasted with millet or eaten raw, baked, or pickled in miso. An ingredient of tonic teas and soups in China.
Bibliography:
Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pg 174