Codonopsis pilosula

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Codonopsis pilosula
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Hardiness:6
Soil pH:5.6-7.3
Height:6'
Blooms:Early Summer-Late Summer
Open Woods Forest
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating:PFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Codonopsis pilosula (common name: dang shen)

Propagation: Seed - surface sow in spring to early summer in an ericaceous compost in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 6 weeks at 20°c[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer and protect them from slugs until the plants are well established[K].

Division in spring, with care, since the plant resents root disturbance[2]. We have found it best to take small divisions that are teased out from the sides of the main clump so as to cause the least possible disturbance to the plants and to avoid having to dig up the clump. These small divisions need to be potted up and placed in light shade in a greenhouse until they are rooting well. They can be planted out into their permanent positions in the summer if they are large enough, otherwise in the following spring[K].

Cultivation: Prefers a well-drained fertile light soil in full sun or semi shade[3][2]. Plants only succeed in full sun if the soil remains moist during the growing season[2]. Prefers a slightly acid soil[1].

Although quite cold-hardy when dormant, the young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K].

A climbing plant, supporting itself by twining and scrambling over other plants[4].

The plant resents root disturbance and should be planted out into its permanent position as soon as possible[1].

It is best grown on a high bank in order to give a good view of the flowers[3].

Plants are very susceptible to the ravages of slugs. The young shoots in spring are particularly at risk, though older growth is also eaten[K].

Range: N.E. Asia - Korea

Habitat: Dense shrubby thickets, the shade of trees at forest edges, streambanks etc[5].

Edibility: Root - raw or cooked[6][7].

Medicinal: Dang Shun is an important herb in Chinese medicine, it is a gentle tonic that increases energy levels and helps the body adapt to stress[8]. The root contains saponins, triterpenes and steroids[9], it is similar in action to ginseng (Panax species), but it is milder and has a shorter-lasting effect[10][11][12][13][14][15][8]. It is a sweet, warm, soothing herb that is taken as an energy tonic[15]. It acts mainly on the spleen, lungs and stomach, raising secretion of body fluids and blood sugar levels, and stimulating the immune system[15]. Research has shown that it increases haemoglobin and red blood cell levels and lowers the blood pressure. It also helps increase endurance to stress and promotes alertness[8].

The root and the whole plant are adaptogen, appetizer, digestive, galactogogue, sialagogue, stomachic and tonic[11][16][12][13][15][8]. It is taken internally in the treatment of low energy, poor appetite and digestion, anaemia, shallow breathing and debility after illness[15][8]. It is often cooked with rice until it is glutinous and used as a tonic food[15]. The dried root is decocted with other herbs and used to treat a wide range of ailments[14].

The roots of plants at least three years old are harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[15].

Pollinators: Insects

Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Also Known As: Campanumoea pilosula. Franch.

Links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  4. ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
  5. ↑ Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
  6. ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
  7. ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
  9. ↑ Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea. World Health Organisation, 1998.
  10. ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1986.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Kariyone, Tatsuo. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
  16. ↑ Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.


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