Codonopsis Pilosula 党参 Chinese Herbal Medicine Radix Codonopsis Root Dang Shen
Codonopsis pilosulaCodonopsis pilosula is no stranger to most Chinese since this herb is a common ingredient in the everyday recipes of soups and steamed dishes. In China it is better known as Dang Shen, a major tonic for nourishing the vitality.
Modern pharmacological actions
1. It regulates gastrointestinal motility, fight against ulcer, and enhance immunity;
2. It affects both excitatory and inhibitory neural processes;
3. Saponins of Codonopsis excite the respiratory center;
4. It lowers the animal blood pressure temporarily but raises the blood pressure on rabbits that are in late hemorrhagic shock;
5. It significantly increases rabbits’ blood sugar. And rise of serum glucose level is related to the sugar contained;
6. It increases animal erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and reticulocytes;
7. It also delays aging, and fights anoxia and radiation.
