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Dangshen - Bonnet Bellflower
Common Names: Dangshen, Bonnet Bellflower, Codonopsis, Poor Man's Ginseng, Tangseng, Tangshen, Codonopsis pilosula, Radix Codonopsis, Chinese Bellflower, Party Ginseng, Bastard Ginseng, Dang shen, Asian Bellflower
Latin Name: Codonopsis pilosula
Origin: Asia, Australia, Europe, South America, North America
Short Introduction
Although Bonnet Bellflower is a plant native outside our region, it can be cultivated quite successfully here. It’s best sown in early April or late March, either in a heated greenhouse or in containers designed for exotic plants. Some people sow it outdoors as well. Seedlings can be thinned and transplanted at a spacing of about 150 or 170 mm by 250 or 270 mm (the sources vary slightly on this point). The ideal soil is well-draining, loose, and rich in nutrients to support strong root growth. Dangshen prefers partial shade and is not recommended for prolonged cultivation in the same spot over several years. Interestingly, after transplanting and towards the end of the growing season, excess moisture can actually be harmful to the plant.
In the first year, Bonnet Bellflower may not develop an above-ground portion or even bloom. In the following year, providing a support structure helps the plant climb and thrive. For seed production, it’s best grown in specialized hoop houses; otherwise, the seeds may not ripen fully. If grown for its roots, harvesting can be done from one-year-old plants—gently dig up the roots, clean them, and store them in a cool, dark place. Maximum yields are achieved with three-year-old plants. To process, dry the roots and cut them into small pieces. Roots can be steeped in 60% alcohol to prepare tincture. From 3 kg of fresh root, about 1 kg dry can be obtained; roots should be firm, thick, with a brittle skin, less woody, oily texture, and sweet taste.
Detailed Description
A cherished herb in traditional Chinese medicine, Bonnet Bellflower (Dangshen) is revered for strengthening the body, boosting energy and endurance, and promoting mental balance.
Botanical Information
Bonnet Bellflower, known scientifically as Codonopsis pilosula, is a perennial that often resembles a small shrub or more commonly a climbing vine. Its stem is dark purple, slender, covered in sparse hairs, and can reach lengths of up to 3 meters, though most typically grow between two and three meters. The plant’s fleshy root is noted for its color and fragrance, reminiscent of its famous cousin—Ginseng. Side branches vary in length and often support either opposite leaves or bracts. Leaves are oval, delicately pointed, up to 7 cm long, and lightly covered in fine hairs. The solitary bell-shaped flowers appear at the branch tips, are about 2 cm in length and width, greenish-yellow with subtle pink dots on the underside. The fruit is a capsule up to 2.5 cm long containing numerous small, glossy seeds.
Origin and Distribution
Bonnet Bellflower originates from Southeast and South Asia—specifically China, Japan, and India—where it grows wild in forests, meadows, and fields. Cultivation is possible in Central European climates as well.
Usage / Dosage
Bonnet Bellflower holds a prominent role in traditional Chinese medicine and other healing traditions across Southeast and East Asia. It is most commonly taken in herbal blends to boost appetite, strengthen the body, and increase vitality, endurance, and energy. Much like Ginseng, it stabilizes the flow of qi (vital energy) within the body, although its effects are more gentle (Ginseng is considered stronger as a tonic).
Active constituents of Dangshen—such as phenolics, oils, polysaccharides, glucosinolates, saponins, and alkaloids—appear to fortify and stimulate the immune system, promote dilation of cardiac vessels, enhance coronary circulation, reduce high blood pressure, improve microcirculation in peripheral vessels, support hematopoiesis (blood cell formation), and directly benefit white blood cell counts during chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Recent studies highlight that, when taken in sufficient concentrations, Bonnet Bellflower’s compounds regulate gastrointestinal motility, soothe pain from gastric ulcers, and strengthen the intestinal immune system. They also moderately suppress excess nerve excitability, which may help relieve epileptic and pain-related symptoms. The plant’s saponins support mucolytic and expectorant effects for the respiratory system, making them useful for productive coughs, and they work partly as local antibiotics by supporting immune cell migration and contributing to the elimination of pathogens.
Animal studies have observed that Dangshen can lower high blood pressure and also help restore arterial pressure after hemorrhagic shock, both considered benefits. Statistically significant increases in free plasma glucose were measured in both humans and animals, with improved energy conversion during exercise relative to placebo groups. Animal research also indicates that Bonnet Bellflower’s compounds help the body combat aging by reducing age-related markers and phenotypes. Protective effects were observed in models of anorexia and radiation exposure.
Traditional Chinese medicine regards Codonopsis as a sweet and neutral herb that promotes the lung and spleen meridians. Its primary role is to tonify the middle jiao (digestive organs) and vital qi, thereby strengthening lung and spleen function. Its use is recommended for lung and spleen deficiency, breathing difficulties, heart palpitations, poor appetite, loose stools, asthma, cough, and diabetes. To support the lungs, it may be combined with herbs such as Fu Ling or Bai Zhu. Traditional dosage in Chinese medicine recommends 9–30 grams under professional supervision. It may also be used to address deficiencies of qi and blood, making it a valuable remedy for hematopoietic failure and fluid imbalances associated with blood element disorders.
In Europe, extracts of Dangshen root are used for asthmatic issues, fevers, immune stimulation, enhancing sleep, and improving vitality. The aerial parts of the plant can also be used to stimulate circulation and elevate vitality and well-being.
Dangshen is considered very safe with no significant adverse effects reported. There have, however, been rare reports of irregular heartbeat or chest discomfort with acute intake of very high doses (such as 60 grams at once).
Active Compounds
The medicinal part of Dangshen is the root, which contains saponins, mucilages, vitamins (especially B1 and B2), minerals (notably potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum), organic acids, tannins, polysaccharides (especially inulin, fructose, and other monosaccharides), resins, alkaloids (such as codonopsin, codonopsinin, perlolyrin), as well as various sterols and triterpenes including taraxerol and friedelin. The root is also rich in free amino acids, predominated by threonine, aspartic acid, isoleucine, alanine, asparagine, glycine, serine, valine, proline, and glutamine.
Traditional Dosage
Dried Dangshen root can be prepared as a tea using 1 teaspoon of the herb in 250 ml of boiling water, simmered for 15 minutes, or steeped for 10 minutes for a milder infusion. Drink twice daily, preferably on an empty stomach—30 minutes before or two hours after meals.
A tincture is another practical form of herbal extract: use as many drops as the child’s age in years or, for adults, as many drops per dose as their weight in kilograms, divided into several doses per day. There are no known contraindications. However, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has advised caution for those with high blood pressure. Due to a lack of data, usage is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or children under 3 years old.
