Herb module
Dang Shen
Codonopsis (Bellflower Root)Codonopsis pilosula
A gentle, nourishing root that builds Qi in the digestion and Lungs, often called the everyday cousin of ginseng.
Dang Shen is a mild, steady root used to build Qi, the body's working energy, especially in the Spleen and Lung. It also nourishes Blood and Body Fluids, so it is a foundation herb that helps restore a tired constitution. It leads Zoi's Spleen Meridian™ formula and also supports Lung Meridian™ and Metabolic Balance™.
Best functions
- Tonifies the Middle Jiao and augments Qi
- Tonifies the Lung
- Helps restore the constitution when energy feels depleted
- Nourishes the Blood and Body Fluids
Fascinating facts
- Codonopsis is a slender, twining vine in the bellflower family, with nodding, bell-shaped flowers. The part used is the long root.
- Dang Shen is often nicknamed 'the poor man's ginseng.' It is a gentler, more affordable stand-in for ginseng (Ren Shen) and is suited to steady, longer-term use as a tonic.
- The 'Shen' in its name is the same word used for ginseng-type roots. 'Dang' traditionally points to the Shangdang region of northern China, long known for this herb.
- Research on Codonopsis has looked at its polysaccharides. Studies suggest they may support antioxidant levels and act as a prebiotic, feeding helpful gut bacteria.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine
Dang Shen is sweet and neutral in nature, and it is a tonic herb. It enters the Lung and Spleen channels.
Biomedical deep dive
Dang Shen Codonopsis (Bellflower Root)
From the Zoi Medicinals fact sheets’ Biomedical Details, with lines from Noa’s herb notes marked “Noa’s notes”.
On the fact sheet
- Dang Shen (Bellflower Root, Radix Codonopsis pilosula) is neutral and enters the LU and SP channels; tonifies the Middle Jiao and augments Qi, tonifies the Lung, restores the constitution, nourishes the Blood and Body Fluids. Metabolic Balance · Lung Meridian · Spleen Meridian sheets
Key active constituents
- Polysaccharides (long sugar chains), named in several cited Codonopsis studies (Luan et al., Carbohydr Polym 2021)
Pharmacology and mechanisms
- Codonopsis is grouped with Atractylodes and Poria as herbs shown to lower fasting blood sugar and serum insulin.
- It increases antioxidant levels, has positive effects on the gut microbiome, and acts as a prebiotic (food for helpful gut bacteria).
- Codonopsis has been shown to increase liver and muscle glycogen (stored sugar fuel), supporting oxygen and energy for muscles.
- In Lung Meridian, it is one of the herbs with immunomodulating (immune-balancing) properties.
- Polysaccharides are immune-stimulating, increasing T-cell and B-cell activity. Noa’s notes
- Adaptogenic: reduces stress-induced corticosterone (a stress hormone) rises. Noa’s notes
- Haematopoietic: promotes red blood cell and hemoglobin production. Noa’s notes
What the research says
- Codonopsis significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and serum insulin in studies (Zhang et al., Int J Biol Macromol 2020).
- Codonopsis polysaccharides supported gut microbiota and energy metabolism in mice (Cao et al., Front Pharmacol 2022).
- Codonopsis oligosaccharides and polysaccharides showed anti-fatigue and anti-hypoxia (low-oxygen) activity in mice (Xie et al., Food Funct 2020).
- A review of Codonopsis formulas for COPD found better lung function, quality of life and walking distance, and fewer flare-ups, versus conventional drugs (Shergis et al., Phytother Res 2015).
- Codonopsis polysaccharides protected the lungs from infection-related injury in mice (Gong et al., Food Funct 2022).
Safety, interactions and cautions
- Every Zoi fact sheet: do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding unless directed by your health care practitioner.
- The Metabolic Balance fact sheet cautions that the formula may be contraindicated with prescription blood thinners or anti-diabetic drugs.
- Use caution in excess patterns without deficiency. Noa’s notes
- Not for acute infection. Noa’s notes
- Metabolic Balance™ is not for everyday use in children. It can be used short term to support the gut with parasites or gut infections in children, at 1 dropper full 3x per day. Always review an infection with your physician.
In these Zoi formulas
- ★ Spleen Meridian (#1 on the fact sheet)
- Metabolic Balance (#8 on the fact sheet)
- Lung Meridian (#14 on the fact sheet)
