ALIMENTOS SALUDABLES A BASE DE HIERBAS ORIENTALES

MEDICINA HERBARIA

 

 

 

 

Dang Shen

(党参 Codonopsis Root)

 

 

Dang Shen is a medicinal herb recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It consists of the dried root of several Campanulaceae plants:

• 党参 Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf.,
• 素花党参 Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta (Nannf.) L.T. Shen,
• 川党参 Codonopsis tangshen Oliv.

Dang Shen has a sweet taste and a neutral nature.
It tonifies the middle and benefits qi, quenches thirst, strengthens the spleen and benefits the lung, and nourishes blood and generates body fluids.

It is used for:

• Spleen and lung qi deficiency
• Poor appetite, fatigue and lack of strength
• Deficiency-type cough and shortness of breath
• Qi and blood deficiency with pale, sallow complexion
• Palpitations and shortness of breath
• Thirst due to consumption of body fluids
• Interior heat with wasting-thirst (Xiaoke / diabetes-type patterns)

It is suitable for symptoms such as reluctance to speak, shortness of breath, weakness of the four limbs, poor appetite, qi deficiency, dual deficiency of qi and fluids, combined deficiency of qi and blood, and blood deficiency with a sallow complexion.
However, it must not be used when the exterior syndrome is not yet resolved and there is fullness in the middle with excess pathogenic factors.

The actions of Dang Shen are similar to those of Ren Shen (人参, ginseng), but its strength is milder. For general deficiency patterns, it may be used in place of Ren Shen; for severe collapse or extreme deficiency, Ren Shen is still preferred.

It is harvested in autumn, washed clean and sun-dried.

 

1. Historical and textual background

1) Textual research

The name 党参 (Dang Shen) first appears in Ben Cao Cong Xin (《本草从新》), which says:

“According to the ancient materia medica, the bearded ginseng from Shangdang is the best. Nowadays, true Shangdang Ginseng has long been hard to obtain, and the ‘Dang Shen’ sold in the markets is of many kinds, mostly unusable. Only ‘Fangfeng Dang Shen’ is mild in nature and taste and thus valuable. The real one has a lion-head crown at the top of the root; the ones with hard grainy striations are fake.”

Here, “true Dang Shen” refers to the Araliaceae ginseng (Ren Shen, Panax ginseng) produced in Shangdang, Shanxi (present-day Changzhi, Shanxi). As the wild Araliaceae ginseng of this region dwindled and eventually disappeared, people began using other plant roots that resembled ginseng in shape to counterfeit it, while still calling it “Shangdang Ginseng”.

By the Qing dynasty, physicians clearly recognized that these substitutes did not share all the functions of true Ren Shen. Gradually, a group of roots that resemble Fangfeng (防风, Saposhnikovia divaricata) in appearance and have a “lion-head” (狮子盘头) crown were separated out as a new medicinal category, and formally named “Dang Shen” (党参).

In Zhi Wu Ming Shi Tu Kao (《植物名实图考》), the morphology of this Dang Shen is described in detail:

“Dang Shen is widely produced in Shanxi. The root can reach 2–3 chi (approx. 60–100 cm) in length, is a climbing plant; leaves are alternate, nodes thick like a finger. Wild ones have a white sap in the root. It flowers in autumn, the flowers resembling Sha Shen (沙参) and colored greenish white. Locals cultivate it for profit.”

When compared with the illustrations, this original plant corresponds to the same Codonopsis species used today as Dang Shen.

2) Other names

• 上党人参 (Shangdang Ren Shen) – Ben Jing Feng Yuan (《本经逢原》)
• 防风党参 (Fangfeng Dang Shen) – Ben Cao Cong Xin (《本草从新》)
• 黄参 (Huang Shen), 防党参 (Fang Dang Shen), 上党参 (Shangdang Shen) – Bai Cao Jing (《百草镜》)
• 狮头参 (Lion-head root) – Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi (《纲目拾遗》)
• 中灵草 (Zhong Ling Cao) – Qinghai Medicinal Materials (《青海药材》)

3) Explanation of the name

Originally, this plant was used to replace the Araliaceae ginseng produced in Shangdang, Shanxi, and so it inherited the name “Shangdang Ginseng” (上党人参), later shortened to 党参 (Dang Shen).
Because its appearance resembles the root of Fangfeng (防风), it was also called “Fangfeng Dang Shen”.
The root crown bears many protruding stem and bud scars, clustered and bulging, resembling a lion’s mane, hence the name “Lion-head Shen” (狮头参).

 

2. Botanical source

Dang Shen is the dried root of the following Campanulaceae plants:

• 党参 Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf.
• 素花党参 Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta (Nannf.) L.T. Shen
• 川党参 Codonopsis tangshen Oliv.

 

3. Processing (炮制)

• After removing soil and impurities, wash clean, moisten thoroughly, remove the crown (芦), then cut into slices or segments, and sun-dry or dry.
• Fried Dang Shen (炒党参):
  Place wheat bran in a heated wok. When smoke rises from the surface, add Dang Shen slices and stir-fry until they turn a deep yellow. Remove, sift off the bran, and cool.
  (For every 100 jin of Dang Shen, use about 20 jin of wheat bran.)
• Finished slices are stored in a well-ventilated, dry place and protected against insect damage.

 

4. Properties in TCM

1) Nature and flavor (性味)

• Ben Jing Feng Yuan (《本经逢原》): Sweet, neutral.
• Ben Cao Zai Xin (《本草再新》): Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.

2) Meridians entered (归经)

• De Pei Ben Cao (《得配本草》): Enters the qi aspect of the Hand Taiyin (Lung) and Foot Taiyin (Spleen) channels.
• Chinese Pharmacopoeia (《中国药典》): Enters the Spleen and Lung meridians.

 

5. Functions and indications

Functions:

• Tonifies the middle and augments qi (补中益气)
• Generates body fluids (生津)
• Strengthens the spleen (健脾)
• Benefits the lung (益肺)

Main indications:

• Spleen and stomach deficiency
• Deficiency of both qi and blood
• Fatigue and lack of strength
• Poor appetite
• Thirst
• Chronic diarrhea
• Rectal prolapse

Classical statements:

1. Ben Jing Feng Yuan (《本经逢原》):

“Clears the lung.”

2. Ben Cao Cong Xin (《本草从新》):

“Tonifies the middle and benefits qi, harmonizes spleen and stomach, relieves vexation and thirst.”

3. Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi (《纲目拾遗》):

“Treats lung deficiency and benefits lung qi.”

4. Scientific Folk Herbs (《科学的民间药草》):

“A blood-tonifying agent. Suitable for chronic anemia, chlorosis, leukemia, glandular diseases and rickets.”

5. Chinese Herbal Manual (《中药材手册》):

“Treats deficiency-fatigue and internal damage, cold in the stomach and intestines, chronic diarrhea and dysentery, panting and thirst, fever with spontaneous sweating, women’s uterine bleeding (崩), various disorders during pregnancy and childbirth.”

 

6. Dosage and administration

Internal use:

• Decoction: 3–5 qian (approx. 9–15 g), large dose 1–2 liang (approx. 30–60 g);
• Can also be used in syrups, or in pills and powders.

Chinese Pharmacopoeia: 9–30 g per day in decoction.

 

7. Cautions and contraindications

• Contraindicated in patients with excess pathogenic factors (“fullness” and “shi xie” 实邪).
• Should not be used together with Li Lu (藜芦, Veratrum nigrum).

 

8. Selected formulas (实用附方)

1) Shangdang Shen Syrup (上党参膏)

Actions:
Clears lung metal, tonifies original qi, opens the voice and strengthens tendons and muscles.

Ingredients:

• 党参 Dang Shen – 1 jin (soft, sweet roots, sliced)
• 沙参 Sha Shen (root of Glehnia or Adenophora) – ½ jin (sliced)
• 桂圆肉 Longan aril (Dimocarpus longan) – 4 liang

Preparation:
Decoct in water to a thick syrup that forms a drop (pearl) in water. Store in a ceramic container.

Usage:
Take one wine-cupful on an empty stomach, diluted with boiling water, or add to other decoctions.

Source: De Pei Ben Cao (《得配本草》).

2) Shen Qi Bai Zhu Tang (参耆白术汤)

Indications:
Diarrhea and dysentery with qi deficiency and rectal prolapse after childbirth.

Ingredients:

• 党参 Dang Shen (remove crown, stir-fried with rice) – 2 qian
• 炙耆 Zhi Qi – usually 黄芪 Huang Qi, Astragalus root, honey-fried – 1.5 qian
• 白术 Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala, dry-fried) – 1.5 qian
• 肉蔻霜 Rou Kou Shuang – nutmeg “frost” (processed Myristica fragrans) – 1.5 qian
• 茯苓 Fu Ling (Poria) – 1.5 qian
• 怀山药 Huai Shan Yao (Chinese yam, Dioscorea opposita, stir-fried) – 2 qian
• 升麻 Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga rhizome, honey-fried) – 0.6 qian
• 炙甘草 Zhi Gan Cao (honey-fried licorice root) – 0.7 qian

Administration:
Decoct with two slices of fresh ginger. For severe yang collapse, add 0.5 qian of processed Fu Zi (制附子, aconite root).

Source: Bu Zhi Yi Bi (《不知医必要》).

3) Shen Qi An Wei San (参耆安胃散)

Indications:
Mouth ulcers and damaged spleen and stomach due to excessive cold, damp and crude, cold food (寒凉浊剂) injuring the middle.

Ingredients:

• 党参 Dang Shen (roasted) – 2 qian
• 黄芪 Huang Qi (Astragalus, honey-fried) – 2 qian
• 茯苓 Fu Ling – 1 qian
• 甘草 Gan Cao (raw) – 0.5 qian
• 白芍 Bai Shao (white peony root) – 0.7 qian

Administration:
Decoct in plain water and take warm.

Source: Hou Ke Zi Zhen Ji (《喉科紫珍集》).

4) For infant oral ulcers

Ingredients:

• 党参 Dang Shen – 1 liang
• 黄柏 Huang Bai (Phellodendron bark) – 5 qian

Grind into a very fine powder and blow onto the affected area.

Source: Compilation of Verified Formulas of Qinghai Province (《青海省中医验方汇编》).

5) To inhibit or kill Mycobacterium leprae (leprosy bacillus)

Ingredients (equal parts):

• 党参 Dang Shen
• 重楼 Chong Lou (Paris polyphylla, also called 蚤休)
• 刺包头根皮 Ci Bao Tou Gen Pi – bark of the root of Aralia (楤木根皮)

Grind Dang Shen and Chong Lou to fine powder.
Boil Ci Bao Tou root bark three times in water; concentrate the combined decoction to a volume sufficient to wet the powders. Add an appropriate amount of honey, then knead the powders into pills, each weighing 3 qian; can also be made as a paste.

Usage:
Take 1 pill three times daily with warm water.

Source: New Therapy Data Collection of Beijing College of TCM (北京中医学院《新医疗法资料汇编》).

 

9. Clinical application

Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (十全大补汤, “All-inclusive Great Tonifying Decoction”)

Source: Chuan Xin Shi Yong Fang (《传信适用方》).

Indications:
Dual deficiency of qi and blood, such as:

• Pale, sallow complexion
• Fatigue and poor appetite
• Dizziness and blurred vision
• Exhaustion, shortness of breath
• Palpitations and restlessness
• Spontaneous sweating and night sweating
• Cold limbs
• Pale tongue, thin and weak pulse

Also applicable to:

• Women’s uterine bleeding (崩漏)
• Irregular menstruation
• Chronic sores and ulcers that do not heal

Ingredients:

• 党参 Dang Shen – 6 g
• 白术 Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala) – 9 g
• 白茯苓 Bai Fu Ling (Poria) – 9 g
• 白芍药 Bai Shao (white peony root) – 9 g
• 黄芪 Huang Qi (Astragalus root) – 12 g
• 川芎 Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) – 6 g
• 干熟地黄 Gan Shu Di Huang (prepared Rehmannia root) – 12 g
• 当归 Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root) – 9 g
• 甘草 Gan Cao (licorice root) – 3 g
• 生姜 Sheng Jiang (fresh ginger) – 3 slices
• 大枣 Da Zao (Chinese jujube) – 2 pieces

Usage:
Decoct and take 3 qian (approx. 9 g of crude total per dose), strain and drink warm, regardless of time.

In this formula, Dang Shen (党参) is the chief herb, sweet-warm, to tonify qi and help generate blood.

 

10. Classical commentaries

1. Ben Jing Feng Yuan (《本经逢原》):

“It clears the lung. Shangdang Ginseng (上党人参), although it does not have the strong, warm, powerful tonifying effect of Ren Shen, has a sweet, neutral, lung-clearing power. It is also not like Sha Shen, which is cold and tends to drain lung qi.”

2. De Pei Ben Cao (《得配本草》):

“Shangdang Shen, when combined with Huang Qi, solidifies the protective qi; paired with Shi Lian (Nelumbo seed) it stops dysentery; used with Dang Gui it invigorates blood; combined with Suan Zao Ren it nourishes the heart.

For supplementing the lung, it can be steamed with honey; for tonifying the spleen, because it may cause qi stagnation, add Sang Pi (mulberry bark) or Guang Pi (aged tangerine peel).”

3. Ben Cao Zheng Yi (《本草正义》):

“Dang Shen can tonify the spleen and nourish the stomach, moisten the lung and generate fluids, and strengthen the middle qi; in essence, it is not far from Ren Shen in action.

Its most precious qualities are that it:
– Strengthens the spleen without being too drying,
– Nourishes stomach yin without being too damp,
– Moistens the lung without being overly cold,
– Nourishes the blood without causing excessive richness or stagnation,
– Lifts clear yang and invigorates middle qi without harshness.

Compared to Liao Shen (ginseng from Liaoning), which is stronger and more yin-tonifying, or Korean ginseng, which is potent and somewhat fierce, Dang Shen is much more moderate and balanced. It can nourish all five zang organs without any inappropriateness.

Its only limitation is that its strength is somewhat weaker and does not last as long; for post-illness yuan-qi deficiency, taking only 2–3 qian each time is enough to invigorate the spirit for one day, but may not sustain very prolonged treatment.

Nevertheless, it supplements the ‘central region’ (Middle Jiao) and moistens the ‘four extremities’, so in all ancient and modern formulas where Ren Shen is used, Lu Dang Shen (潞党参) may be substituted, and in virtually all conditions calling for Ren Shen, Lu Dang Shen can be used instead.”

 

11. Identification (药材鉴别)

1) Macroscopic characteristics

(1) Dang Shen (党参)

• Shape: Nearly cylindrical, fusiform-cylindrical, or long conical; with few branches or with branching in the lower half; 15–45 cm long, 0.45–2.5 cm in diameter.
• Surface: Grey-yellow, grey-brown, or reddish-brown, with irregular longitudinal grooves and wrinkles, scattered horizontal lenticels. The upper portion often has annular wrinkles, particularly dense near the root head.
• Root head: Bears numerous protruding stem and bud scars clustered into a ball-like structure, popularly called “lion-head crown” (狮子盘头).
• Fractured surface: Sometimes exudes a black-brown gelatinous substance (凝固 latex), known colloquially as “oil spots” (油点).
• Texture: Soft and moist or somewhat hard. Cross-section relatively even, sometimes horn-like.
• Cortex: Thick, yellowish-white to light or dark brown, often with fissures. Between cortex and xylem is a dark-brown ring.
• Xylem: Occupies about 1/3–1/2 of the diameter, pale yellow.
• Odor: Slightly aromatic.
• Taste: Sweet, with no residue when chewed.

(2) Su Hua Dang Shen (素花党参)

• Root slightly shorter, rarely over 30 cm, few branches.
• Surface grey-brown, cork rough, often constricted or twisted; dense annular wrinkles on upper part; many oil spots.
• Texture: Tough and firm; cross-section not very even; leaves residue when chewed.

(3) Chuan Dang Shen (川党参)

• Lower part of root rarely branched.
• Surface grey-brown; cork often partially exfoliated; upper annular wrinkles comparatively sparse.
• Cross-section: Thick cortex with few fissures.
• Taste: Slightly sweet with a slightly sour note.

(4) Guan Hua Dang Shen (管花党参)

• Root with few branches or slight branching in the lower part.
• Surface shrivelled into longitudinal grooves with scattered lenticels; upper annular wrinkles sparse.
• Root head with a spherical lion-head crown; fracture shows exuded brown-black gelatinous substance.
• Cross-section: Mealy or sugar-like horn texture.
• Odor: Slight.
• Taste: Slightly sweet.

(5) Qiu Hua Chang Shen (球花常参)

• Root thick, 20–43 cm long, 1–3 cm in diameter.
• Surface with shrivelled longitudinal grooves, often twisted; dense annular wrinkles in upper part, narrowing from mid-root upwards toward the head, known as “snake-earthworm head” (蛇蚓头).
• Root crown with many small stem and bud scars.
• Cross-section: Numerous fine fissures in radial arrangement; characteristic strong odor.

(6) Hui Mao Chang Shen (灰毛常参)

• Lower part of root sometimes branched.
• Cross-section slightly mealy with needle-like bright points (crystals).
• Distinctive odor.

Quality grading:
Roots that are thick and stout, fleshy, soft, fragrant, intensely sweet, and leave no residue when chewed are considered superior.

2) Microscopic characteristics (显微)

Root transverse section:

(1) Dang Shen (党参)

• Cork: 5–8 layers of cork cells with radial walls showing longitudinal striations.
• Cork stone cells: Scattered singly or in small groups, located outside the cork layer or embedded among cork cells.
• Cortex: Narrow; cells often irregular or broken down into collapsed tissue; groups of laticifers present.
• Phloem: Broad; groups of laticifers associated with phloem sieve elements arranged radially, forming several discontinuous concentric rings. Laticifers contain pale-yellow granular secretions.
• Phloem rays: 5–9 cell rows, with fissures often present on the outer side.
• Cambium: Ring-shaped.
• Xylem: Occupies about ½–4/7 of the root radius. Vessels occur singly or in groups of 5–10, arranged radially in 1–2 rows.
• Xylem rays: Broad, often broken, forming larger fissures; xylem parenchyma tightly packed; protoxylem is triarch.
• Parenchyma cells: Filled with inulin and a few starch granules.

(2) Su Hua Dang Shen (素花党参)

• Outside the cork layer: A relatively thick ring of stone cells, sometimes partially exfoliated.
• Phloem: Occupies about 2/3 of the root radius.
• Xylem: Relatively small; vessels vary in size and are sometimes arranged in alternating concentric patterns resembling growth rings.
• Parenchyma: Contains starch granules and a small amount of inulin.

(3) Chuan Dang Shen (川党参)

• Cork cells: Slightly thickened walls with pits.
• Cork stone cells: Form discontinuous bands of several rows, some embedded among cork cells.
• Phloem: Occupies about 2/3 of the root radius.
• Xylem: Relatively small; some xylem parenchyma cells slightly thickened.
• Parenchyma: Contains mostly compound starch granules; inulin present in fissures and vessels.

(4) Guan Hua Dang Shen (管花党参)

• Cork: 3–7 layers of cells.
• Phloem parenchyma: Prominent intercellular spaces.
• Xylem: Occupies 1/3–1/4 of the root radius; vessels mostly isolated.
• Parenchyma: Packed with starch granules.
  – Phloem starch: 13–16 μm in diameter, mostly compound granules.
  – Xylem starch: 4–7 μm, mostly single granules.
  – Inulin concentrated primarily in xylem; inulin-containing cells often adjacent to vessels.

(5) Qiu Hua Dang Shen (球花党参)

• Cork: 5–10 layers of cells.
• Phloem: Occupies about 5/8 of root radius.
• Rays: 5–7 cell rows.
• Xylem: Occupies about 3/8 of root radius; xylem parenchyma slightly thickened.
• Parenchyma: Contains abundant inulin; inulin bodies around vessels are relatively small.

(6) Hui Mao Chang Shen (灰毛党参)

• Cork cells: Tangentially elongated up to 164 μm.
• Phloem and xylem: Nearly equal in radial width.
• Xylem rays: Broad; phloem rays narrow, only 2–4 cell rows.

3) Powder characteristics (粉末特征)

1. Dang Shen (党参) powder – yellowish-white

• Inulin: Abundant; with chloral hydrate and cold water preparation, inulin aggregates appear fan-shaped, round or semicircular, with radiating lines on the surface.
• Stone cells: Numerous, isolated or in small clusters, sometimes embedded among cork cells; polygonal, quadrangular, rectangular or irregular; 24–51 μm in diameter; sparse pits.
• Vessels: Bordered-pitted, reticulate, scalariform and spirally thickened vessels; diameter 21–80 μm; vessel elements about 80–88 μm long.
• Laticifers: Articulated laticifers 12–15 μm in diameter containing oily droplets and fine granules.
• Cork cells: Brownish-yellow; rectangular, rhomboid or polygonal in surface view; radial walls slightly wavy; lignified with longitudinal striations.
• A few starch granules may be present.

2. Su Hua Dang Shen (素花党参) powder – pale yellow

• Stone cells very numerous, 19–60 μm in diameter, 35–107 (up to 256) μm long, thickness of walls variable; sparse pits with marked pit canals; some pit canals densely distributed, forming net- or honeycomb-like patterns.
• Xylem parenchyma spindle-shaped with reticulate or scalariform secondary thickening.
• Pigment masses yellow or reddish-brown, sometimes filling vessels.
• Starch granules single, spherical or ovoid.

3. Chuan Dang Shen (川党参) powder – whitish

• Stone cells relatively few, 25–36 μm in diameter, 60–76 μm long; walls 3–5 (up to 8) μm thick; some with thicker central walls, giving a dumbbell-shaped lumen; pit canals distinct, funnel-like or trumpet-shaped.
• Xylem parenchyma spindle-shaped; some cells with reticulate thickening on tangential walls; others with bead-like wall thickening and obvious pits/pit canals.
• Starch granules abundant, mostly single, spherical or sub-spherical, 6–20 μm in diameter; hilum dot-like or indistinct; compound granules composed of 2–7 subgranules.

4. Guan Hua Dang Shen (管花党参) powder – white

• Starch granules extremely abundant, mostly single, spherical or ellipsoid, 6–30 μm, hilum fissure-like, dot-like or star-shaped; lamellae visible in larger granules.
• Semi-compound granules with 2–3 hila; compound granules with two subgranules of markedly different size.
• Cork cells square or rectangular, 80–100 μm in length/width, lignified.
• Xylem parenchyma rectangular with scalariform, reticulate or spiral secondary thickening.

5. Qiu Hua Dang Shen (球花党参) powder – pale yellowish-white

• Cork cells rectangular or rhomboid in surface view; radial walls sometimes bead-like thickened with prominent pit canals.
• Xylem parenchyma long or short spindle-shaped, with scalariform or reticulate thickening; side walls bead-like.
• Ray cells arranged in regular radial rows, rectangular in radial view; upper and lower radial walls sometimes separated or bead-like thickened.
• Thick-walled cells resembling stone cells, with obvious pits and pit canals, but non-lignified.
• Pigment blocks easy to see, brownish or bright yellow.

6. Hui Mao Dang Shen (灰毛党参) powder – pale yellow

• Cork cells rectangular, narrow-rectangular or nearly square in surface view, with striations on radial walls.
• Xylem parenchyma slender spindle-shaped with scalariform or reticulate thickening; side walls bead-like.
• No pigment blocks.
• Other features similar to Qiu Hua Dang Shen.

 

12. Commercial specifications (规格)

1. Dong Dang (东党)
   • Grade 1: length ≥ 20 cm; diameter below crown ≥ 1 cm; no hairy rootlets.
   • Grade 2: length < 20 cm; diameter below crown ≥ 0.5 cm.
2. Lu Dang (潞党)
   • Grade 1: diameter below crown ≥ 1 cm; no “oil lines” (bars of latex).
   • Grade 2: diameter ≥ 0.8 cm; no oil lines.
   • Grade 3: diameter ≥ 0.4 cm; oil lines ≤ 10 %.
3. Xi Dang (西党)
   • Grade 1: diameter below crown ≥ 1.5 cm; no oil lines.
   • Grade 2: diameter ≥ 1 cm; no oil lines.
   • Grade 3: diameter ≥ 0.6 cm; oil lines ≤ 15 %.
4. Tiao Dang (条党)
   • Grade 1: diameter below crown ≥ 1.2 cm; no oil lines.
   • Grade 2: diameter ≥ 0.8 cm; no oil lines.
   • Grade 3: diameter ≥ 0.5 cm; oil lines ≤ 10 %, no stem remnants.

 

13. Difference between Dang Shen and Lu Dang Shen (党参 vs. 潞党参)

• Dang Shen (党参):
  Refers broadly to the dried roots of the Campanulaceae species:
  • 党参 Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf.
  • 素花党参 Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta (Nannf.) L.T. Shen
  • 川党参 Codonopsis tangshen Oliv.
• Lu Dang Shen (潞党参):
  Refers specifically to the dried root of 党参 Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. produced in the Lu region (潞, in Shanxi).

In other words:

Lu Dang Shen is a type of Dang Shen, but not all Dang Shen is Lu Dang Shen.

 

14. Herbal names in this article (Chinese – English)

Main herb

• 党参 – Dang Shen, Codonopsis root (Codonopsis pilosula)
• 素花党参 – Suhua Dang Shen, “pale-flowered Codonopsis” (Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta)
• 川党参 – Chuan Dang Shen, Sichuan Codonopsis (Codonopsis tangshen)

 

Other herbs mentioned

• 人参 – Ren Shen, Ginseng root (Panax ginseng)
• 防风 – Fang Feng, Siler root / Saposhnikovia root (Saposhnikovia divaricata)
• 黄芪 – Huang Qi, Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus)
• 白术 – Bai Zhu, Atractylodes macrocephala rhizome
• 茯苓 – Fu Ling, Poria / Hoelen (sclerotium of Poria cocos)
• 肉蔻霜 – Rou Kou Shuang, Nutmeg “frost” (refined Myristica fragrans product)
• 怀山药 – Huai Shan Yao, Chinese yam rhizome (Dioscorea opposita)
• 升麻 – Sheng Ma, Bugbane rhizome (Cimicifuga dahurica or related species)
• 甘草 – Gan Cao, Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis etc.)
• 黄柏 – Huang Bai, Phellodendron bark (Phellodendron amurense / P. chinense)
• 重楼 / 蚤休 – Chong Lou / Zao Xiu, Paris rhizome (Paris polyphylla)
• 刺包头根皮 / 楤木根皮 – Ci Bao Tou root bark / Song Mu root bark, Aralia root bark (Aralia elata or related species)
• 沙参 – Sha Shen, Glehnia or Adenophora root (Glehnia littoralis / Adenophora spp.)
• 桂圆肉 – Long Yan Rou, Longan aril (Dimocarpus longan)
• 白芍 – Bai Shao, White peony root (Paeonia lactiflora)
• 石莲 – Shi Lian, lotus nut / lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera)
• 当归 – Dang Gui, Chinese angelica root (Angelica sinensis)