Codonopsis is a genus in the family Campanulaceae. There are about 40 Codonopsis species worldwide, among which 39 species can be found in China. In addition, 21 of them and 4 varieties can be used medicinally. In TCM it mainly refers to the dry root of Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., Codonopsis pilosula Nannf. var. modesta (Nannf.) L. T. Shen, or Codonopsis tangshen Oliv. And because this plant is native to Shangdang in Shanxi, it is named after "Dang Shen". Though this herb and ginseng are frequently mentioned together, they are not from the same family actually. As you can see, the former is from Campanulaceae and the latter from Araliaceae.

This is a perennial herb. The slightly curved cylindrical root is 1 to 1.7cm in diameter, with a swollen top on the root head, tumor-like stem scars in the majority, cream to grayish brown skin, and vertical and horizontal wrinkles. Stems are twining, long, and branched. Leaves are opposite, alternative or false verticillate, with 0.5 to 2.5cm petiole and ovate or widely ovate leaf blade. Flowers are solitary, and with slender pedicels, green calyx, and bell-shaped corolla. Capsule is conical, and with persistent calyx and small, oval, brown and shiny seeds. It blooms from August to September and fruits from September to October.

Codonopsis benefits
As mentioned above, Codonopsis is commonly used in TCM thanks to its tonic nature. As a matter of fact, nowadays more and more codonopsis health benefits are being discovered along with the scientific progress. And Modern research found that it contains a variety of sugars, phenols, volatile oil, baicalein glucosinolates, saponins and trace alkaloids, which can enhance immunity, dilate blood vessels, lower blood pressure, improve microcirculation, enhance hematopoietic function, and so on. In addition, it also improves the Leukopenia induced by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Salvia Miltiorrhiza

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.

POPULAR CODONOPSIS PILOSULA RELATED FORMULAS
Based on the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this herb is sweet and neutral in properties. And it goes to lung and spleen meridians. Its key functions are tonifying middle-Jiao and Qi and strengthening spleen and tonifying lung. Main Codonopsis uses and indications include deficiency in lung and spleen, shortness of breath and heart palpitations, reduced appetite, loose stools, deficient asthma and cough, and heat Diabetes. Recommended dosage is from 9 to 30 grams.

1) Syndrome of Qi deficiency of spleen and lung
This herb is good at tonifying Qi of spleen and lung and used for symptoms induced by insufficiency of middle-warmer energy, such as fatigue due to weakness, appetite loss, and Diarrhea. In this case, it usually combines with Fu Ling (Poria) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes).

As for lung Qi deficiency induced symptoms like cough, low voice, and shortness of breath, it usually couples with Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) and Ge Jie (gecko) to replenish and restore lung qi for relieving a cough and stopping Asthma.