"The Lungs govern the voice"

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Herb Documents

Properties & Channels

Drug Interactions

Incompatible Herbs

Toxic or Endangered

Latin Name Notes

Sha Shen (Adenophora Root, Four Leaf Lady Bell Root)

Herb 10 of 15 in Herbs that Tonify Yin

Channels:
LU, ST

Properties:
Sweet, Cool, Slightly Bitter

Latin Name:
Glehniae/Adenophorae Radix

Sha Shen means "Sand Root From the South"

Actions

Nourishes Lung Yin, Stops Cough, Dispels Phlegm
For dry, non-productive cough. Also for cough with yellow, scanty, difficult to expectorate sputum or blood streaked sputum. Associated symptoms include dry mouth, dry throat, dry nasal cavity, voice loss, sore throat
Nourishes Stomach, Generates Fluid
For thirst and dry mouth, red/dry tongue, and constipation associated with Stomach Yin Deficiency. Also for aftermath of febrile disease with low grade fever and peeled tongue coat.
Moistens Exterior
For dry skin, itchy skin especially due to cold weather

Contraindications and Cautions

Do not use in cases of cough due to Wind-Cold

Herb-Drug Interactions

None Noted.

Toxicity and Overdose

No toxicity noted
Possible allergic reactions may follow constant intense contact like that of those who work in herbal factories. Contact dermatitis results.

Dosage

10-15 grams dried in decoction, 15-60 grams fresh in decoction ¹²
9-15 grams in decoction ¹³

Notes

This herb antagonizes Fen Fang Ji (Radix Stephaniae Tetandrae)

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

Yi Guan Jian (Linking Decoction)
Formulas that Nourish and Tonify the Yin

This herb is incompatible with:

Li Lu (Radix Et Rhizoma Veratri)

References

Herbs

13. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Revised Edition)
- Dan Bensky

25. Lancet 2000 January 8;355(9198):134-138 (Article)
- Fugh-Berman A.

17. Handbook of Chinese Herbs (Second Edition)
- Him Che. Yeung

12. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (First Edition)
- John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen

26. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (Third Edition)
- Max Wichtl

Formulas

15. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (First Edition)
- Dan Bensky

18. Handbook of Chinese Herbal Formulas (First Edition)
- Him Che. Yeung

16. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Study Guide (First Edition)
- Qiao Yi

Only use Chinese herbs or formulas under the direct care and supervision of a licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist.
Some of the substances included on this website are no longer used, and are included for historical reference only.