INDIVIDUAL HERBS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Radix Codonopsis
Common English: Codonopsis Root
Bonnet Bellflower
Downy Bellflower Root
Herbs that Tonify Qi
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
  • Use with caution for those with Excess conditions.
  • Contraindicated for those with Qi Stagnation causing overabundant Fire.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
  • Incompatible with Rx. et Rz. Veratri Li Lu.
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

Poria
Fu Ling

Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae
Bai Zhu

Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata
Shu Di Huang

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
Huang Qi

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Rx. Asteris
Zi Wan
Cx. Mori
Sang Bai Pi

Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui
Rx. et Rz. Rhei
Da Huang

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
Zi Su Ye
Rx. Peucedani
Qian Hu
(Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum)
(Zhi Ban Xia)
(Rx. Platycodi)
(Jie Gang)

Fr. Schisandrae
Wu Wei Zi
Tub. Ophiopogonis
Mai Men Dong

Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae
Bai Zhu
Poria
Fu Ling

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

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Ganoderma
Ling Zhi

Fr. Aurantii Immaturus
Zhi Shi
Fr. Crataegi
Shan Zha
Fr. Hordei Germinatus
Mai Ya
Per. Citri Reticulatae
Chen Pi

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Rz. Cimicifugae
Sheng Ma

Fr. Aurantii
Zhi Ke
Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae
Bai Zhu

Increases phagocytosis.

Indigestion and epigastric fullness and distention.

Prolapse of organs due to Qi and Yang Deficiency.

Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui
Rx. et Rz. Rhei
Da Huang
Natrii Sulfas
Mang Xiao

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi

Fr. Schisandrae
Wu Wei Zi
Rx. Asteris
Zi Wan
Cx. Mori
Sang Bai Pi

Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata
Shu Di Huang

Rx. Polygoni Multiflori
He Shou Wu

Constipation with Qi Deficiency.

Lung Qi Deficiency.

Blood Deficiency.

Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae
Bai Zhu

Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao
Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui
Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao

 

 

Qi and Blood Deficiency.

 

 

  1. Because flourishing Qi generates Blood and Fluids, this herb indirectly contributes to the normal supply of Blood and Fluids.
  2. It has similar actions to Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen but weaker.
  3. Ginseng is used more for emergencies.
  4. Dang Shen is good for Spleen Qi Deficiency with difficulty digesting.
  5. This herb is said to beautify and freshen the skin.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.