Glehnia, Bei Sha Shen 北沙参
Adenophora, Nan Sha Shen 南沙参
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Botanical name:
Glehnia littoralis
There are two main varieties of Sha Shen:
1. Bei Sha Shen: Glehnia littoralis (Northern China)
2. Nan Sha Shen: Adenophora tetraphylla, A. stricta (Southern China)
The two roots are largely synonymous, and were only differentiated in the 17th century.
Parts used:
Root
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, moist. Sweet, slightly Bitter
Classifications:
N. Tonics
Glehnia littoralis
There are two main varieties of Sha Shen:
1. Bei Sha Shen: Glehnia littoralis (Northern China)
2. Nan Sha Shen: Adenophora tetraphylla, A. stricta (Southern China)
The two roots are largely synonymous, and were only differentiated in the 17th century.
Parts used:
Root
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, moist. Sweet, slightly Bitter
Classifications:
N. Tonics
Uses:
1. Nourishes Lung Yin, Clears Lung Heat:
-dry, non-productive Cough from Heat and Yin deficiency
-chronic Cough
-Hemoptysis, Consumption
-it has been used alone for Lung-heat Cough
-also used alone for weak pulse and cold limbs after Blood loss (Chengdu Chinese Herbal Medicine)
2. Nourishes Stomach Yin, Generates Fluids:
-dry mouth, thirst, irritability
-also for toothache caused by Stomach Fire from Yin deficiency
3. Promotes Milk:
-cooked with Pork and the soup drunk, promotes breast Milk
DOSE:
4–9 grams in Decoction
COMMENT:
1. Glehnia is generally regarded as stronger, and is more commonly used. If Sha Shen is written in a prescription without specifying a particular variety, Glehnia is generally prescribed.
2. Glehnia is heavier, richer, and better to nourish Yin, especially of the Stomach. Adenophora is better to clear heat and phlegm from the Lungs while still nourishing Lung Yin.
3. The two roots are often combined.
4–9 grams in Decoction
COMMENT:
1. Glehnia is generally regarded as stronger, and is more commonly used. If Sha Shen is written in a prescription without specifying a particular variety, Glehnia is generally prescribed.
2. Glehnia is heavier, richer, and better to nourish Yin, especially of the Stomach. Adenophora is better to clear heat and phlegm from the Lungs while still nourishing Lung Yin.
3. The two roots are often combined.
Main Combinations:
1. To nourish Lung and Stomach Yin:
i. Glehnia Bei Sha Shen with Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong
ii. Glehnia Bei Sha Shen with Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong, Solomon's Seal (Yu Zhu), Mulberry leaf (Sang Ye), Trichosanthes Tian Hua Fen, Licorice (as in Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang)
2. Dry Cough, Glehnia Bei Sha Shen with Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong, Almond (Xing Ren), Licorice
3. Qi and Yin deficiency following Fever, Glehnia Bei Sha Shen, Pseudostellaria Tai Zi Shen, Dioscorea Shan Yao
4. Hemoptysis with Lung Yin deficiency, Glehnia Bei Sha Shen with Anemarrhena Zhi Mu, Fritillaria Chuan Bei Mu
5. Stomach Yin deficiency with Heat, Glehnia Bei Sha Shen with Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong (as in Yi Wei Tang)
6. Heart and Lung Fire with Palpitations and shortness of Breath, Glehnia Bei Sha Shen with Aloeswood, Sandalwood, Safflower, Nutmeg, Tabasheer (as in Aloeswood Clear the Heart 8 Powder)
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Cautions:
Incompatible with Veratrum
Main Preparations used:
Incompatible with Veratrum
Main Preparations used: