Dǎng Shēn (党参), known in English as Codonopsis (Codonopsis pilosula), is a neutral, sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify qi category. It enters the Spleen and Lung channels. Its main action: tonifies Middle Jiao qi, nourishes Blood and fluids.
| Pinyin | Dǎng Shēn (Dang Shen) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 党参 |
| English | Codonopsis |
| Botanical name | Codonopsis pilosula |
| Category | Tonify qi |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Spleen, Lung |
| Dosage | 9–30g |
| Cautions | Incompatible with Lilu; not for collapse (use Ren Shen instead) |
Actions
- Tonifies Middle Jiao qi, nourishes Blood and fluids
- Gentler substitute for Ren Shen in non-emergency settings
Indications
- Spleen and Lung qi deficiency
- Qi and Blood deficiency
- Generating fluids
How to remember Dǎng Shēn
Tonify qi herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Spleen, Lung and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet: like most Tonify qi herbs
- Spleen and Lung channels: from its use for “Spleen and Lung qi deficiency”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Tonify qi herbs vary in nature
Other Tonify qi herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Dǎng Shēn?
Dǎng Shēn is neutral and sweet.
Which channels does Dǎng Shēn enter?
Dǎng Shēn enters the Spleen and Lung channels.
What are the actions of Dǎng Shēn?
Tonifies Middle Jiao qi, nourishes Blood and fluids; Gentler substitute for Ren Shen in non-emergency settings.
What is Dǎng Shēn used for?
Spleen and Lung qi deficiency; qi and Blood deficiency; generating fluids.
Practise Dǎng Shēn and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.