Other Names: Poor Man’s Ginseng • Dang Shen • Bonnet Bellflower
✨ Energetic & Astrological Profile
Element: Earth
Phase of the Moon: Waxing Moon
Zodiac Signs: Virgo, Taurus, Cancer — stabilising for Sagittarius and Gemini
Planets: Earth, Saturn, Moon
Tarot Cards:
🌿 The Empress – nourishment, slow growth
🍯 Strength – gentle power
🧘 The Moon – intuitive restoration
🌾 4 of Pentacles – building reserves, grounded energy
🌍 Habitat & Sensory Nature
Native to the mountainous regions of China, Korea, and the Russian Far East. Grows in rich, well-drained soil, often in forest edges and hillsides.
Flavour: Sweet, earthy, mildly pungent
Temperature: Slightly warming
Humidity: Moistening
Tissue State Support: Cold, deficiency, dryness
🧬 Phytochemistry & Herbal Actions
Constituents:
- Polysaccharides
- Saponins
- Alkaloids
- Phenylpropanoids
- Triterpenes
- Volatile oils
Primary Actions:
Adaptogen • Tonic • Immunomodulator • Digestive aid • Demulcent • Mild expectorant • Hematopoietic (supports blood production)
💊 Medicinal Benefits
Cinchona might've been the battlefield general, but Codonopsis is the herb that helps you rebuild after the war. It’s widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to tonify Qi — the body’s vital energy.
🌿 Energy & Recovery
- Gently boosts energy without overstimulating
- Supports chronic fatigue, post-illness weakness, and low vitality
- A great herb for convalescence, adrenal support, and general burnout
🌿 Digestive Tonic
- Enhances nutrient absorption
- Supports appetite and digestion, especially in those who are depleted or underweight
- Gently moistens the digestive tract
🌿 Immune Support
- Strengthens the immune system over time
- May support white blood cell production
- Often paired with astragalus or licorice for long-term resilience
🌿 Lung & Respiratory Support
- Soothes dry lungs, mild chronic cough
- Useful for those with both immune and respiratory weakness
🧘 Emotional & Energetic Benefits
Energetically, Codonopsis is nourishment in root form. It’s a hug from within for those who feel depleted, foggy, or disconnected from their centre. It's the herb you’d give a caregiver who’s given too much or a student burning out in silence.
- Encourages emotional resilience and soft boundaries
- Reconnects you to slow energy that builds steadily
- Useful for grounding busy minds or nervous systems stretched too thin
🧒 Child-Friendly Use
Yes, with guidance.
- Can be used in gentle tonic formulas for children recovering from illness or who are undernourished
- Add to broths, teas, or stews in small amounts
⚠️ Contraindications
⚠ Not ideal during acute infections — it’s a builder, not a fighter
⚠ Use caution in cases of excess dampness or mucous stagnation
⚠ May interact with blood-thinning or immunosuppressive medications (check with a qualified practitioner)
🧪 Dosage & Preparation
🌼 Tea/Decoction: 5–15g dried root, simmered gently for 20–30 minutes
🌼 Tincture: 30–60 drops of 1:5 extract in 30% alcohol, up to 3x daily
🌼 Powder: 1–3g per day, mixed into smoothies or warm liquids
🌼 In Food: Can be cooked into soups, congees, or stews as a daily tonic
🛒 Shop This Herb
Our Codonopsis blends and root decoctions will be available soon — earthy support for when you're rebuilding your strength. Sign up for updates on product drops!
🔮 Daz’s Diagnosis
If ginseng is the motivational speaker with a loud mic, Codonopsis is the older sister quietly brewing bone broth and sliding a mug across the table without saying a word. You sip it, and suddenly... You feel held.
This herb doesn’t shock the system — it builds you from the root up.
If you're recovering from burnout, nourishing your blood, or rebuilding your reserves, Codonopsis is your day-one. A slow burn, but a loyal one.
