Dandelion

蒲公英

Taraxacum Officinale

History Of Use Dandelion leaves and roots have been used for centuries to treat liver, gall bladder, kidney, and joint problems. In some countries, dandelion is considered a blood purifier and is used for ailments such as eczema and cancer. Dandelion has also been used to treat poor digestion, water retention and diseases of the liver such as hepatitis. The first mention of the dandelion as a medicine was in the works of Arabian physicians of the tenth and eleventh centuries. Thirteenth-century Welsh medicine also lauds its properties.

Traditional Use The bitter compounds in the leaves and root of the dandelion plant help to stimulate digestion and have a mild laxative effect. They also increase bile production in the gall bladder and bile flow from the liver, making dandelion a useful tonic for people with sluggish liver function due to alcohol abuse or a poor diet. The increase in bile flow can also help improve the body's metabolism of fat (including cholesterol). In Chinese medicine terms, dandelion is considered to be a bitter, cool herb that enters the liver, stomach and bladder meridians to clear heat and drain dampness.

Origin and Sources The dried roots of the plant are most widely used in medicine.

Dangshen

黨蔘

Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf.

History Of Use First appeared in Thoroughly Revised Materia Medica.

Modern Use Dangshen is an adaptogenic, meaning it has both stimulating and inhibiting effects on the central nervous system. It is also able to treat and prevent peptic ulcers, stimulate the immune system and temporarily lower blood pressure.

Traditional Use Dangshen comes from a climbing plant native to northeast China. It is a sweet, neural herb associated with the lung and spleen meridians. Its applications include tonifying the chi, strengthening the middle jiao, tonifying the lungs, nourishing blood, restoring the constitution and expelling pathogens. It is commonly used to treat chi deficiency, which is characterised by symptoms such as fatigue, lack of appetite, weakness and diarrhea.

Origin and Sources The root of Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., and other several species of the same genus, family campanulaceae.

Danshen

丹蔘

Salvia Miltorrhiza Bge.

History Of Use First appeared in the Divine Husbandman's Classic of the Materia Medica, classified as upper class.

Modern Use Danshen has several pharmacological properties. It is an anticoagulant, antibiotic, hepaprotective, a sedative, and can dilate the coronary arteries. It has been used in clinical studies to treat conditions including chronic hepatitis, coronary artery disease, thrombosis and insomnia with good results.

Traditional Use Danshen, also known as salvia root, is a cooling herb for the heart and liver meridians. It activates blood circulation, clears blood stasis, cools the blood, reduces swellings, nourishes blood and calms the spirit. It can be used to address various disorders caused by blood stagnation, including chest pains and an enlarged liver. Its calming properties also mean it can treat palpitations and insomnia caused by heart-blood deficiency.

Origin and Sources The root and rhizome of Salvia militiorrhiza Bunge, family Labiatae.