Properties: Sweet, neutral
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Lung and Spleen
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Tonifies the Middle Jiao and augments Qi
Any chronic illness due to Spleen Qi Deficiency with anorexia, fatigue, tired limbs, diarrhoea 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
Suggested Daily Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.
Notable Constituents: For a complete list of constituents see
Dong et al. (2023).
- Lobetyolin
Alkyne used by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as a quality index component for Dang Shen. It has anticancer, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions, and protective effects against gastric mucosal damage.
- Tangshenoside I
Lignan exclusive to Dang Shen. It is a syringin molecule bound to meglutol glucoside. Syringin has potential antidiabetic properties but the pharmacology of Tangshenosides is currently under researched.
- Atractylenolide III
Sesquiterpene lactone with anti-inflammatory effects that msy also be a posdible quality indicator.
- Codonopsis Polysaccharides
One of the main components of Dang Shen with mainly composed of five-carbon sugar, six-carbon sugar and its derivatives, with central inhibitory and anti-ulcer effects. Some of these are an inulin-like fructans with prebiotic effects on Bifidobacterium (Li et al., 2021), Lactobacillus (Cao et al., 2022) and Eubacteriales (Zou et al., 2022).
Notes:
Analysis of the ancient script forms of 參 Shen suggest it is simplified from 曑 (晶 -> 厽) making an ideogrammic compound of 晶 ("stars") + 光 ("light; brightness") + 彡 ("light rays") meaning the Three Stars astrological mansion (referring to the three stars of Orion's belt in western astronomy at the centre of this constellation). 彡 also acts as a phonetic component. Its main meaning is "joining, merging, being a part of" suggesting the three stars making up a single constellation.
光 may also be interpreted as 卩 ("kneeling person"), representing someone looking at the shining stars above him or be the original character for 簪 a hairpin and thus someone with a ceremonial hat of stars.
參 also appears in the title of the famous alchemical text 參同契 Cantong Qi translated as The Seal of the Unity of the Three, or Joining as One with Unity, with 參 playing on the double meaning as "three" and "joined as one" where it refers to the unity of the cosmology of the Yi Jing, Daoism and internal alchemy (Pregradio, 2011, Seal of the Unity of the Three, p. 3).
These all suggest a great reverence for these herbs, which crosses into the cosmological, religious and self-cultivation realms, while also suggesting a completeness of these herbs in themselves. Herbs with 參 in their name may be used individually, without needing a formula to complement them.
Appears in 21 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
An Tai Zhu Gao (Foetus Quieting Plaster)
From: Rhymed Prose on Medical Principles and Applications (1870)
Chong He Tang (Flush and Harmonise Decoction)
From: Indispensable Tools for Pattern Treatment by Wang Ken-Tang (1602)
Dan Shen Shi Hu Jiu (Salvia and Dendrobium Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Du Huo Ji Sheng Jiu (Pubescent Angelica and Taxillus Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Er Hua Fei Pang Yu (Two Flowers Bath for Obesity)
From: Shen-nong.com
Guan Zhuang Bing Du Yu Fang Pei Fang Er (Coronavirus Preventative Formula 2)
From: Phoenix Medical Newsletter by Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners (2020)
Guan Zhuang Bing Du Yu Fang Pei Fang San (Coronavirus Preventative Formula 3)
From: Phoenix Medical Newsletter by Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners (2020)
Huang Qi Shi Hu Jiu (Astragalus and Dendrobium Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Hui Fu Qi Fei Pi Xu Fang (Convalescent Stage Lung and Spleen Qi Deficiency Prescription)
From: Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (Trial Version 7), Chinese Medical Journal 2020, 133(9): 1087-1095.
doi: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000000819 by Wei Pei-Fang (editor), National Health Commission & National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2020)
Jia Wei Ba Zhen Tang (Modified Eight Treasures Decoction)
From: Secrets of the Mantis Boxing Art by Huang Hanxun (1946)
Nei Zhang Wan (Cataract Pill)
From: Journal of Ethnopharmacology 324, 117786 by Xiao-min Liu, Hui Shi & Wei Li (2024)
Shen Qi Di Huang Tang (Codonopsis, Astragalus and Rehmannia Decoction)
From: Illuminating the Origins of Miscellaneous Diseases with a Rhinoceros Candle: Colorectal Disease by Shen Jinao (1773)
Shen Su Cha (Codonopsis and Perilla Tea)
From: Chinese Medicinal Teas by Zong Xiao-Fan and Gary Liscum (1996)
Shu Di Dang Shen Tang (Prepared Rehmannia and Codonopsis Decoction)
From: Journal of Ethnopharmacology 324, 117786 by Xiao-min Liu, Hui Shi & Wei Li (2024)
Shu Gan Li Pi Tang (Dredge the Liver and Regulate the Spleen Decoction)
From: New Explanations of Medical Formulas (1980)
Tong Sai Pian (Unblock Obstruction Pill)
From: Journal of the Nanking College of Chinese Medicine (1984)
Wen Xin Ke Li (Steady Heart Granules)
From: Guan'anmen Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (2015)
Yi Shen Ming Mu Tang (Augment the Kidneys and Brighten the Eyes Decoction)
From: Journal of Ethnopharmacology 324, 117786 by Xiao-min Liu, Hui Shi & Wei Li (2024)
Zhou Gong Bai Sui Jiu (Master Zhou's Hundred Years Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Zhu Yang Jiu (Invigorate Yang Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Zong Zi Yao Jiu (Boosting Progeny Medicinal Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, has been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
