Codonopsis pilosula

Dang Shen is a plant whose root is used to make medicine. Dang Shen is used to treat HIV infections and to protect cancer patients from the side effects of radiation therapy. It is also used to improve the function of the immune system and to treat weakness, loss of appetite, chronic diarrhea, shortness of breath, palpitations, asthma, cough, thirst and diabetes. Although Dang Shen is sometimes used as a substitute for ginseng in general tonics, Dang Shen does not contain any of the chemicals known as saponins, which are responsible for some of the effects of ginseng.

How does Dang Shen work?

DangShen appears to stimulate the central nervous system. It also appears to promote weight gain and increase stamina, as well as increasing white and red blood cell counts and promoting blood circulation.

How effective is Dang Shen?

There is insufficient scientific data to assess the effectiveness of Dang Shen for HIV infections, brain disorders, loss of appetite, diarrhea, asthma, cough and diabetes, as well as to protect against the side effects of radiation therapy in cancer patients. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Dang Shen in these applications.

Safety and side effects

DangShen appears to be safe and harmless for most people.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of Dang Shen during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to avoid Dang Shen.

Interactions

There is currently no information on interactions between Dang Shen and medications or supplements.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of Dang Shen depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for Dang Shen. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.