INDIVIDUAL HERBS
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Radix Codonopsis |
| Common English: | Codonopsis Root Bonnet Bellflower Downy Bellflower Root |
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
Sweet |
Neutral |
Lung Spleen |
6-14g Large dose up to 30g Tincture: 1-4ml |
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Tonifies the Middle Jiao and augments Qi |
Any chronic illness due to Spleen Qi Deficiency with anorexia, fatigue, tired limbs, diarrhea and vomiting |
Tonifies the Lungs |
Lung Qi Deficiency with chronic coughing and shortness of breath Copious sputum due to Spleen Qi Deficiency |
Restores the constitution and assists herbs that release the exterior or drain downward when there is significant Qi Deficiency |
Supports the normal while other herbs expel pathogenic influences |
Nourishes the Blood and promotes the generation of Body Fluids |
Deficiency of Qi, Blood and Body Fluids especially due to chronic illness |
CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Poria |
Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae |
Rx. Angelicae Sinensis |
Spleen and Stomach Deficiency with fatigue, a sensation of fullness in the abdomen, dizziness, lethargy, shortness of breath, anorexia and loose stools or diarrhea. |
Spleen Qi Deficiency with anorexia, loose stools and vomiting. |
Qi and Blood Deficiency with dizziness, weakness and lassitude. |
Rx. Astragali |
Rx. Astragali |
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Lung and Spleen Qi Deficiency with fatigue, shortness of breath, diarrhea and anorexia. Decreases platelet aggregation. |
Coughing due to Deficiency and exhaustion of Lung Qi. |
Interior Excess with significant Deficiency. |
Fol. Perillae |
Fr. Schisandrae |
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Exterior Wind-Cold contracted by one who has underlying Qi Deficiency. |
Injury to Qi and fluids with shortness of breath and thirst. |
Increases the rate of natural rosette formation of lymph cells of peripheral blood vessels. Increases lymphocyte transformation rate Increases serum IgG |
Fr. Aurantii Immaturus |
Rx. Astragali |
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Increases phagocytosis. |
Indigestion and epigastric fullness and distention. |
Prolapse of organs due to Qi and Yang Deficiency. |
Rx. Angelicae Sinensis |
Rx. Astragali |
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata |
Constipation with Qi Deficiency. |
Lung Qi Deficiency. |
Blood Deficiency. |
Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae |
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Qi and Blood Deficiency. |
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- Because flourishing Qi generates Blood and Fluids, this herb indirectly contributes to the normal supply of Blood and Fluids.
- It has similar actions to Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen but weaker.
- Ginseng is used more for emergencies.
- Dang Shen is good for Spleen Qi Deficiency with difficulty digesting.
- This herb is said to beautify and freshen the skin.
- Both Dang Shen and Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen have similar properties and functions. Ren Shen is much broader in its effects and must be used when the disorder is severe or requires immediate relief as in patterns of abandonment or profuse bleeding. Dang Shen tonifies Qi and indirectly augments Blood and Fluids, but does not tonify Yuan Qi or directly generate Fluids. Its effects are limited to the Spleen and Lungs and is less powerful than Ren Shen, although it is sufficient for everyday clinical use and is therefore a good substitute for Ren Shen when a Deficiency pattern is not severe. It is often used as an inexpensive substitute for Ren Shen.
- Dry-fried Codonopsis Chao Dang Shen is warm and is better able to tonify the Spleen and Stomach. Frying with bran is more tonifying. Frying with white rice strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes the Stomach, reduces Food Stagnation and the potential cloying effect of tonification. Frying with yellow earth augments Spleen Qi, stops diarrhea and reduces nausea. Frying with Halloysitum Rubrum Chi Shi Zhi enhances its ability to stop diarrhea and is appropriate for severe Spleen Deficiency with continuous diarrhea.
- Prepared Codonopsis Zhi Dang Shen is prepared with honey and enables it to both tonify the Middle Jiao Qi and moisten Spleen Yin. to treat Spleen Qi and Yin Deficiency or Qi and Blood Deficiency.