Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae

Source
Root of Codonopsis. pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., and other several species of the same genus, family Campanulaceae.

Characteristics
Axial root stout, few of branch roots, long-terete 10-15 cm long, 0.4-2.0 cm in diameter. Cork greyish yellow, lenticellate; root base with numerous tuberculate stem bases or buds; dense annular marks appearing at the upper part and spotted fibrous root scars covered with brown sticky material at the lower. Cross section even or showing radial marks. Soft and tenacious in texture. Aromatic in odour. Sweet in taste, mild in nature, and attributive to spleen and lung channels.

Indication
Supplement middle-jiao energy, benefit the lung, promote the production of body fluid, nourish blood: For insufficiency of middle-jiao energy manifested as poor appetite, loose stools and fatigue, usually used together with Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephaize; for collapse of middle-jiao energy manifested as prolapse of rectum hysteroptosis, gastroptosis, nephroptosis, etc., used together with Radix Astragali seu Hedysari, Atractylodis Macrocephaiae Rhizoma Cimicifugae and Radix Bupleuri; for deficiency of vital energy and of blood manifested as poor appetite, fatigue, pale complexion and palpitation; for metrorrhagia, hypermenorrhea, hematemesis, hemoptysis, and hemafecia due to the failure of controlling blood by the spleen; for lung-energy deficiency with dyspnea, cough, shortness of breath and speaking in a weak voice. Recently, also used for neurasthenia, anemia, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, anaphylactoid. purpura and thrombocytopenic purpura, usually used together with Astragali seu Hedysari and Radix Angelicae Sinensis. Also for skin infection, common cold in energy-deficiency patients, diabetes, and febrile diseases with consumption of body fluid and thirst.

Pharmacological Action
1. Promoting phagocytosis.

2. Increasing the tolerance of hyperthermia, hypothermia, anoxia and X-ray radiation in mice.

Administration
Decoction: 9-30g.