Adenophora stricta
Aliases：Nan Shashen, Bei Shashen, Zhi Mu, Bai Shashen, Ku Xin, Pao Shen, Ling Er Shen
Shashen (Adenophorae Radix), a Chinese medicinal, is the root of Adenophora stricta Miq., Adenophora hunanensis Nannf., Adenophora tetraphylla (Thunb.) Fisch., Adenophora khasiana (Hook.f. et Thoms.) Coll. et Hemsl., Adenophora potaninii Korsh., and several other plants of the same genus (family Campanulaceae).
Efficacy & Actions
Nanshashen (Adenophorae Radix): Nourish Yin and clear the Lung Transform Phlegm Supplement Qi Beishashen (Glehniae Radix): Nourish Yin and clear the Lung Benefit the Stomach and generate fluids
Indications
Nanshashen (Adenophorae Radix): Lung heat dry cough Yin deficiency consumptive cough Dry cough with sticky sputum Qi and Yin deficiency Feverish sensation and dry mouth Beishashen (Glehniae Radix): Lung heat dry cough Consumptive cough with bloody sputum Thirst due to fluid consumption in febrile disease
Modern Pharmacology
Effects on the respiratory system: Has expectorant effects. Exhibits certain therapeutic effects on pulmonary fibrosis. Antitumor effects: Medicated serum inhibits the proliferation and migration of non‑small cell lung cancer A549 cells and induces their apoptosis. The herb pair Shashen‑Maidong (Adenophora and Ophiopogon) can treat hepatocellular carcinoma by modulating immune function. Immunomodulatory effects: Regulates immune balance. The Shashen‑Maidong herb pair increases the proportion of CD8+ T cells in the immune microenvironment. Other effects: Antifungal, anti‑inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Affects the cardiovascular system: enhances myocardial contractility and exhibits antiarrhythmic effects.
Ingredients
Nanshashen (Adenophorae Radix) Contains triterpenoid saponins, xanthotoxin, etc. Contains β‑sitosterol, taraxerone, and octacosanoic acid. Also contains various triterpenoids. Beishashen (Glehniae Radix) Contains coumarins, polyacetylenes, flavonoids, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Nanshashen (Adenophorae Radix): 10–15 g in decoction; 15–30 g for fresh herb. May also be used in pills or powders. Beishashen (Glehniae Radix): 4.5–9 g in decoction. When used in a decoction, it should be decocted first.
Contraindications
Incompatibility: Should not be used together with Veratrum nigrum L. (Lilu). Pattern contraindication: Contraindicated in cases of wind‑cold cough.
Selected Formulas
1. Shashen Maidong Tang (Adenophora and Ophiopogon Decoction): Indicated for dryness damaging the lung and stomach with fluid consumption, manifesting as dry throat, thirst, dry cough with scanty sputum. 2. Yiwei Tang (Benefiting the Stomach Decoction): Indicated for Yangming warm disease with stomach yin damage, manifesting as dry mouth, dry throat, and poor appetite.
Daily Consumption
1. Glehnia, Polygonatum Odoratum and Old Duck Soup Ingredients: Glehnia root (Beishashen), Polygonatum odoratum (Yuzhu), old duck, fresh ginger. Preparation: Blanch the old duck in boiling water, then place it together with Glehnia root, Polygonatum odoratum, and ginger slices in a pot. Add water and simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Action: Nourishes yin and moistens dryness, benefits the stomach and promotes fluid production. Suitable for dry cough, dry throat, and dry skin caused by autumn dryness or yin deficiency. 2. Ophiopogon, Glehnia and Pork Ball Soup Ingredients: Glehnia root (Shashen), Ophiopogon root (Maidong), ground pork. Preparation: Decoct Glehnia and Ophiopogon in water to make the soup base. Form the ground pork into meatballs and cook them in the soup until done. Action: Moistens the lung, promotes fluid production to relieve cough, and clears heat. Suitable for dry cough, dry‑heat cough, and individuals with “excessive heat” symptoms. 3. Glehnia Congee Ingredients: 15 g Glehnia root (Shashen), 50 g japonica rice. Preparation: Decoct the Glehnia root in water to obtain the liquid, then cook the rice with this liquid into congee. Action: Nourishes yin, clears the lung, benefits the stomach and promotes fluid production. Used for lung heat dry cough, dry throat and thirst.
Medicinal Parts
Root
Selection & Storage
Adenophorae Radix (Nanshashen): Store in a dry container. For honey‑processed Nanshashen (Mi Shashen), keep in an airtight container. Store in a well‑ventilated, dry place, protected from insects. Glehniae Radix (Beishashen): Store in a well‑ventilated, dry place, protected from insects. General: Protect from moisture and mold.