Properties: Sweet, acrid, slightly bitter, slightly warm

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Stomach, Lung, Spleen

1. Tonify the middle and replenish Qi
   Abdominal distension due to spleen deficiency
   Weakness of limbs
   Cough due to Lung deficiency
   Frequent urination in the elderly
   Oedema
2. Resolves Blood Stasis and promotes wound healing
   Bruises, low back pain
   Coughing blood
   Leaves applied externally to treat wounds

Suggested Daily Dosage: 9-15g root in decoction or wine, or leaves pounded and applied externally.

Cautions: Caution when foraging due to the similarity in the appearance of this plant to hemlock (Conium maculatum, 毒參, Du Shen, lit. "poison ginseng").

Notes:

Cow Parsley is very similar to Hemlock and so much be carefully differentiated if foraging in the wild. Cow Parsley has a faint parsley smell when the leaves are crushed, small hairs on the stem with a grooved leaf stem, similar to the shape of celery, and grows up to about 4 ft. Hemlock's distinguishing characteristics include a distinctive and unpleasant smell to the leaves, red- purple spots on a hairless stem and can grow up to 7 ft.

The leaves can also be eaten like parsley but are not listed in the materia medica for having any significant medicinal benefit.

It is unusual for having the character 參 Shen which is normally reserved for very special herbs with spiritual overtones, yet this herb has few medicinal benefits of spiritual/religious significance.