Codonopsis - Codonopsis pilosula
Codonopsis pilosula is native to China and the roots are the parts used medicinally. Codonopsis contains triterpenoid saponins, alkaloids, alkenyl, alkenyl glycosides, and polysaccharides. Its polyphenols are especially strong.
Codonopsis is given as an adaptogenic, stimulant, and tonic. It increases hemoglobin and RBC levels while lowering blood pressure. It is used to increase endurance of stress and alertness. It is tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine for cancer, lungs and spleen, it is thought to balance metabolism and increase lactation. It helps tired limbs, fatigue, appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea. Codonopsis clears mucus from lungs and helps asthma and shortness of breath. There are studies that show it can slow the growth of liver cancer cells.1 It is strongly antioxidant.
Codonopsis is being thoroughly investigated. This article gives a great overview of all the diseases being researched as well as links to those studies. Have a look at the charts. 2
It remediates False-fire symptoms of headache, tension, irritability, high blood pressure. It is believed to reduce adrenaline and generally be adaptogenic for stress. Using it as a tincture is Western, not Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Dosing: tincture ½ tsp in water 3 x day.
Possible side effects: vertigo, dry mouth and nose, nausea, epistaxis, gastrointestinal upset, allergy.
Contraindications: Codonopsis may slow blood clotting. Taking codonopsis might increase the risk for bleeding during and after surgical procedures. It may reduce the anticancer effects of abiraterone. Codonopsis may lower blood sugar levels. Consult your physician before using it.
1 Hongxu Liu, William Kwame Amakye, Jiaoyan Ren, Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide in synergy with dacarbazine inhibits mouse melanoma by repolarizing M2-like tumor-associated macrophages into M1-like tumor-associated macrophages, Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 142, 2021, 112016, ISSN 0753-3322, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112016.
2 Guo H, Lou Y, Hou X, Han Q, Guo Y, Li Z, Guan X, Liu H, Zhang C. A systematic review of the mechanism of action and potential medicinal value of codonopsis pilosula in diseases. Front Pharmacol. 2024 May 13;15:1415147. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1415147. PMID: 38803438; PMCID: PMC11128667.