Codonopsis

Latin Name: Codonopsis pilosula

Chinese Name: DangShen

Traditional Uses

Actions: Has tonic effect, invigorates the spleen and stomach, replenishes qi or chi, harmonizes spleen and stomach, promotes digestion, absorption, and metabolism, and increases the secretion of fluids.

Applications: Insufficient qi or chi, fatigue, loss of appetite and thirst. Chinese physicians use it as a ginseng substitute. It is particularly used for cancer patients after therapy treatments with spleen and gastric weakness.

Reference: Hung-yen Hsu, Ph.D. and Associates: Oriental Materia Medica A Concise Guide 1986, Keats Publishing