Also known as dang shen or poor man's ginseng, codonopsis is flowering perennial climber native to Asia. It's important in traditional Chinese medicine, with the carrot-shaped root being the key part. The medicinal use is as an adaptogen and stimulant to help temporarily relieve symptoms of stress like mental fatigue and weakness and to boost the immune system.

_{Photo by @krnel}

The most common species has the scientific botanical name of Codonopsis pilosula. Other names include Bastard Ginseng, Bellflower, Bonnet Bellflower, Campanule à Bonnet, Chuan Dang, Codonopsis Modestae, Codonopsis pilosula, Codonopsis Pilosula Modesta, Codonopsis tangshen, Codonopsis tubulosa, Dangshen, Dong Seng, Ginseng Bâtard, Ginseng du Pauvre, Racine de Campanule à Bonnet, Radix Codonopsis, Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae.

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_{ProjectManhattan/wikimedia - CC BY-SA 3.0}

Key Points

• widely used in TCM
• replaced ginseng use in China due to costs and communist export rules
• boosts immune system, used for cancer radiation treatment
• helps with physical and mental fatigue

History

The recorded use of the root in China is from 1751. Some argue that ancient texts referring to ginseng are actually referring to codonopsis, but it can't be proven.

After the communist revolution, ginseng was reserved for export, codonopsis was instead used in traditional formulations. Ginseng is available now, but it's still 10 times more expensive.

Where is it found?

Codonopsis is found in Asia, including cHina, Japan, Russian Far East, Kazakhstan, India, Iran, Indochina, Indonesia and more.

It grows in forests, meadows and in shrubby areas.

What's it used for?

The root is used to treat HIV infection and to protect cancer patients against side effects of radiation treatment, boost the immune system, treat weakness, loss of appetite (anorexia), chronic diarrhea, shortness of breath, noticeable heartbeat (palpitations), asthma, cough, thirst, tiredness, gas, weak arms and legs, bloatedness, diarrhea, vomiting, prolapse of the uterus, and diabetes.

It's been used to help nursing mothers produce milk, and the nutrients are considered nourishing to babies. It's been given to babies who are teething for it's hard and sweet tasting root.

While codonopsis shares a similar taste and tonifying properties as ginseng, ginseng can raise blood pressure, codonopsis lowers it.

Are there any risks?

Codonopsis might slow blood clotting and increase bleeding. Those with bleeding disorders or going into surgery should avoid it. Use during pregnancy isn't known to be harmful.

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References:

• Codonopsis pilosula
• Dang Shen - Codonopsis Pilosula Radix
• Codonopsis: The “Other” Ginseng
• Codonopsis

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Previous posts on Getting to Know Herbs:
Schisandra | Rhodiola | Canadian Goldenrod | German Chamomile | Blue Vervain | Blessed or Holy Thistle | Common Horehound | Cayenne | Ashwagandha | Gotu Kola | Common Verbana/Vervain | Holy Basil | Sweet Annie | Globe Artichoke | Butterfly Weed / Pleurisy Root | Joe-Pye Weed / Gravel Root | Valerian | Malva/Mallow | Boneset | Elecampane | Lungwort | Cramp Bark | Motherwort | Common Plantain | Eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) | Black Cohosh | Common Bearberry | Mahonia Mountain Grape (Oregon Grape) | Blue Cohosh | Goldenseal

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