Codonopsis pilosula / DANG SHEN / Codonopsis Root

Botanical Name – Codonopsis pilosula

Chinese Name – DANG SHEN

English Name – Codonopsis Root

Codonopsis pilosula, also known as dang shen, codonopsis or poor man’s ginseng, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the bellflower family. It is native to Asia, where it grows in forests, meadows, and scrub.

Codonopsis is an important herb in Chinese medicine. The root contains saponins, triterpenes and steroids, it is similar in action to ginseng (Panax species), but it is milder and has a shorter-lasting effect.