Codonopsis (Dang shen).

To: herb.franklin.oit.unc.edu
Subject: Re: Dong shen Chinese herb?
From: p_iannone.lamg.com (Paul Iannone)
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 08:32:45 -0800

> Does anybody know a Latin name for dong shen (my best phonetic rendering)? Herb appeared as brown root in slender pieces maybe 10 cm long. Label just said herb, not very specific. This was in a Chinese grocery store, and the person said it was dong shen, Chinese name, didn't know English or Latin name.

Dangshen (literally 'substitute (ren)shen' [chinese for 'ginseng']), which is Codonopsis pilosula.

Wrinkly looking licorice sticks, but in light brown. Your basic ginseng low-cost replacement in formula, though it only covers the mid-level aspect of ginseng.

Paul