Codonopsis pilosula
Dang Shen
a perennial woody member of the Codonopsis genus in the family Campanulaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Campanulaceae
- Genus
- Codonopsis
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 1.7 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
- Plant part
- Root
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Dang Shun is an important herb in Chinese medicine, it is a gentle tonic that increases energy levels and helps the body adapt to stress[13]. The root contains saponins, triterpenes and steroids[14], it is similar in action to ginseng (Panax species), but it is milder and has a shorter-lasting effect[15][3][6][7][10][12][13]. It is a sweet, warm, soothing herb that is taken as an energy tonic[12]. It acts mainly on the spleen, lungs and stomach, raising secretion of body fluids and blood sugar levels, and stimulating the immune system[12]. Research has shown that it increases haemoglobin and red blood cell levels and lowers the blood pressure. It also helps increase endurance to stress and promotes alertness[13]. The root and the whole plant are adaptogen, appetizer, digestive, galactogogue, sialagogue, stomachic and tonic[3][4][6][7][12][13]. It is taken internally in the treatment of low energy, poor appetite and digestion, anaemia, shallow breathing and debility after illness[12][13]. It is often cooked with rice until it is glutinous and used as a tonic food[12]. The dried root is decocted with other herbs and used to treat a wide range of ailments[10]. The roots of plants at least three years old are harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[12].
- Product or use
- Adaptogen
- Product or use
- Appetizer
- Product or use
- Digestive
- Product or use
- Galactogogue
- Product or use
- Sialagogue
- Product or use
- Stomachic
- Product or use
- Tonic
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber
Environment
- Range
- N.E. Asia - Korea
- Habitat
- Dense shrubby thickets, the shade of trees at forest edges, streambanks etc[16].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - surface sow in spring to early summer in an ericaceous compost in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 6 weeks at 20°c[5]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer and protect them from slugs until the plants are well established[K]. Division in spring, with care, since the plant resents root disturbance[9]. We have found it best to take small divisions that are teased out from the sides of the main clump so as to cause the least possible disturbance to the plants and to avoid having to dig up the clump. These small divisions need to be potted up and placed in light shade in a greenhouse until they are rooting well. They can be planted out into their permanent positions in the summer if they are large enough, otherwise in the following spring[K].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a well-drained fertile light soil in full sun or semi shade[1][9]. Plants only succeed in full sun if the soil remains moist during the growing season[9]. Prefers a slightly acid soil[5]. Although quite cold-hardy when dormant, the young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. A climbing plant, supporting itself by twining and scrambling over other plants[11]. The plant resents root disturbance and should be planted out into its permanent position as soon as possible[5]. It is best grown on a high bank in order to give a good view of the flowers[1]. Plants are very susceptible to the ravages of slugs. The young shoots in spring are particularly at risk, though older growth is also eaten[K].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00
Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00