Campanulaceae
Codonopsis
Codonopsis pilosula
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: China, Korea, Japan mountains
Also known as: Dang Shen, Poor Man's Ginseng, Bellflower Root
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Root
Therapeutic Uses
Fatigue, immune deficiency, digestive weakness, anemia, cancer adjunct. Budget ginseng alternative used in most TCM formulas.
Herbal Actions
Adaptogen, immunomodulator, digestive tonic, blood tonic (TCM), anti-fatigue, antioxidant
Active Constituents
Codonopsis polysaccharides (primary), perlolyrine (alkaloid), tangshenoside, phytosterols, amino acids
Preparation Methods
🍵 Decoction🏺 Tincture💊 Capsule
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 9–30g simmered 45 min in 500ml — sweet pleasant taste, 2x daily |
| Tincture | 4–6 ml (1:5, 40% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Sweet flavour — add to soups and congee. Used in 70%+ of TCM formulas as cost-effective ginseng substitute. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Acute infections (tonifying herbs). Caution in pregnancy.
Side Effects: Rare GI upset. One of safest adaptogens.