- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Coasts of East Asia and western North America
- Traditions
- Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Herb · № 649
Glehnia littoralis
Herb · Asia
Glehnia root (sha shen)
Glehnia littoralis
Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the lungs and is good for the stomach; for persistent dry cough and to dissolve phlegm.
Safety notes
According to tradition not for cough from cold with much clear phlegm. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Chinese materia medica: Not with wind-cold or a cold, weak spleen.
Preparation
Dried root in soups and decoctions.
Use in traditions
A coastal plant; the root is a yin-nourishing lung remedy in Chinese medicine.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese food therapy
Attributed effects
A tonic that nourishes the lungs, cools body heat and is good for the stomach; for persistent dry cough and to dissolve phlegm.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sweet, bland, cool
- Meridians
- lung, stomach
Attributed effects
Bei sha shen nourishes the lung yin in a dry throat, dry skin and dry cough without phlegm, and the stomach yin in a dry mouth after febrile illnesses.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 6–12 g a day, usually in a decoction. According to the book it works almost the same as American ginseng, but is much cheaper. Nan sha shen (Adenophora) is a different species that dissolves phlegm more strongly.
Caution: Not with wind-cold or a cold, weak spleen.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionPowder and kitchen
- Formulas
- Yi guan jian