This product is the root of Codonopsis pilosula, a perennial herb of the Campanulaceae family, and the roots of many plants of the same genus. The wild ones are commonly known as Taidang, and those cultivated in Shanxi are called Ludang of Codonopsis pilosula. They are dug in spring and autumn, and those harvested in autumn are better. After digging out the roots, remove the sediment, stems and seedlings, rub them while drying to make the cortex closely adhere to the xylem, dry them in the sun, cut them into sections, and use them raw or processed with honey. Those with thick root strips, many transverse lines, soft and moist texture, sweet taste, and easy to melt without residue when chewed are preferred.
Picture of Codonopsis Radix
[Alias] Shangdang Ginseng, Shitoucan, Huangcan, Dongcan, Ludang.
[Efficacy] Sweet in taste, mild in nature. Tonify the middle-jiao and replenish qi, tonify the lung qi, nourish blood, and promote the production of body fluids.
[Applications]
- Codonopsis Radix Porridge
It is used to treat weakness after illness, poor appetite, and fatigue. Preparation method: Take 30 grams of Codonopsis Radix, decoct it first to get the juice, and then cook it with 100 grams of rice to make a thick porridge. Eat it in 1-2 times. From “Chinese Medicinal Diet Science” - Codonopsis Radix and Jujube Decoction
It is used to treat anemia with symptoms such as pale complexion, emaciation, and fatigue. Preparation method: Take 15 grams of Codonopsis Radix and 20 jujubes, wash them, soak them with an appropriate amount of cold water, and then decoct them over a low fire. Each decoction takes 30 minutes, and combine the two decoctions. Eat the jujubes and drink the soup twice a day. From “The Book of Ten Medicinal Prescriptions” - Codonopsis Radix and Jujube Steamed Rice
It invigorates qi and nourishes the stomach. It is used to treat weakness of qi, fatigue, palpitations and insomnia, poor appetite, loose stools and edema. Preparation method: Put 10 grams of Codonopsis Radix and 20 jujubes in an aluminum pot, soak them with an appropriate amount of water, decoct for 30 minutes, remove the Codonopsis Radix and jujubes, and reserve the soup. Wash 200 grams of glutinous rice, add an appropriate amount of water, steam it in a large bowl until cooked, then turn it upside down on a plate, arrange the jujubes on top, add 50 grams of white sugar to the soup and decoct it into a sticky juice, and pour it on the jujube rice. From “Xingyuanlu” - Codonopsis Radix and Jujube Tea
It invigorates the spleen and harmonizes the stomach, replenishes qi and promotes the production of body fluids, and regulates the ying and wei. It is used to treat poor appetite due to stomach deficiency, loose stools due to spleen deficiency, palpitations, and hysteria in women. Preparation method: Take 30 grams of Codonopsis Radix and 10 jujubes. Decoct them and use the decoction instead of tea. From “Dietary Therapy” - Codonopsis Radix and Fried Rice Tea
It is used to treat weakness after illness, indigestion, poor appetite, or diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal bulb ulcers and other diseases. Preparation method: Take 15-30 grams of Codonopsis Radix and about 30 grams of fried rice (rice fried until yellow), add 4 bowls of water, and decoct until one and a half bowls remain. Drink it instead of tea. Once every other day. From “Dietary Therapy” - Stewed Pig Kidney with Codonopsis Radix, Astragali Radix and Gorgon Fruit
It is used to treat nephritis and proteinuria. Preparation method: Take 20 grams of Codonopsis Radix, 30 grams of Astragali Radix, 30 grams of Gorgon Fruit, and one pig kidney. Dissect the pig kidney, wash it to remove the urine smell, stew them together, drink the soup and eat the meat. From “Chinese Medicinal Diet Science” - Codonopsis Radix, Astragali Radix and Coix Seed Porridge
It tonifies the middle-jiao and replenishes qi, invigorates the spleen and removes dampness. It is used to treat weakness of qi in the elderly and after illness, weakness of the spleen and stomach, poor appetite and loose stools, edema, fatigue, prolapse of the anus, etc. Preparation method: Take 10 grams of Codonopsis Radix, 20 grams of Astragali Radix, 120 grams of Coix seed, 10 jujubes, and 12 grams of ginger. Wash the Codonopsis Radix, Astragali Radix and jujubes, soak them in water until they are soaked through, then add the Coix seed, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, add the crushed ginger, change to a low heat and simmer until the Coix seed is cooked and rotten to make a porridge. Take it on an empty stomach while it is hot, 1-2 times a day. From “Selected Practical Dietary Therapy Prescriptions” - Codonopsis Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix Liver Soup
It nourishes blood and calms the nerves. It is used to treat palpitations, insomnia, and sallow complexion due to deficiency of heart and liver blood. Preparation method: Wash 15 grams of Codonopsis Radix and 15 grams of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and cut them into thin slices; wash and crush 10 grams of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, add an appropriate amount of water and decoct to get the soup. Cut 250 grams of pig liver into slices, mix it with cooking wine, salt, monosodium glutamate and water-starch, put it into the soup and cook until the liver slices are separated, add the crushed ginger and cut scallions, put them in a basin and steam for 15-20 minutes, eat the liver slices and drink the soup. From “Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica Records” - Stewed Meat with Codonopsis Radix
It tonifies deficiency. It is used to treat physical weakness and deficiency of qi and blood. Preparation method: Take 30-60 grams of Codonopsis Radix, or stew the meat together with Astragali Radix, jujubes and Angelicae Sinensis Radix. Eat the meat and drink the soup. From “Chinese Medicinal Diet Science” - Pig Spleen Porridge
It invigorates qi, invigorates the spleen and stimulates the appetite. It is used to treat weakness of qi in the spleen and stomach, fatigue, poor appetite, indigestion, and abdominal distension. Preparation method: Chop 15 grams of Codonopsis Radix, crush an appropriate amount of ginger, cook it together with japonica rice. When the rice is cooked and the soup is thick, add 1 pig spleen that has been cut into thin slices in advance, an appropriate amount of scallions and 6 grams of Exocarpium Citri Rubrum. Remove the Exocarpium Citri Rubrum after the porridge is made, and season it with salt. Take it on an empty stomach or as breakfast. From “Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica” - Codonopsis Radix Appetite-stimulating Decoction
It is used to treat poor appetite due to spleen deficiency. Preparation method: Take 25 grams of Codonopsis Radix and 10 grams of Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli. Decoct in water and take the decoction. From “Folk Effective Prescriptions” - Codonopsis Radix and Longan Fruit Decoction
It is used to treat deficiency of qi and blood in the elderly, dizziness and palpitations. Preparation method: Take 20 grams of Codonopsis Radix and 10 grams of Longan Arillus. Decoct in water and take the decoction. From “Therapeutic and Fitness Effects of Tonifying Medicinal Herbs” - Codonopsis Radix Wine
It is used to treat diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, cold limbs and weakness, poor appetite; shortness of breath and weak voice due to lung deficiency, reluctance to talk and shortness of breath; sallow complexion due to blood deficiency, dizziness and palpitations; consumption of body fluids due to febrile diseases, thirst. Preparation method: Take 1 piece of Codonopsis Radix, crack it open, soak it in 1 jin of wine, seal it for 7 days and then open it. Drink it according to your own capacity. Add more wine when it is finished, and eat the Codonopsis Radix when the taste becomes weak. From “Folk Effective Prescriptions”
[Dosage] 10-15 grams. If it is used instead of ginseng, the dosage can be 4 times that of ginseng.
[Precautions for Use] It is antagonistic to Veratrum nigrum. It cannot be used alone for those with excess syndromes and heat syndromes.