Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta (Luzhong Dangshen)

Luzhong Dangshen

　　Luzhong Dangshen is mainly produced in counties of southeast Shanxi such as Pingshun, Lingchuan, Licheng, Wuxiang, and Changzhi.

History: In the Ming Dynasty, Li Shizhen described Dangshen in his Compendium of Materia Medica, writing: “The roots of this type are quite slender and long, drooping downward, sometimes reaching over a foot in length, or branching into ten forks. Its price was comparable to silver, and high-quality specimens were rare.” Luzhong Dangshen has round-conical roots, with a swollen apex and numerous stem scars, commonly referred to as a “lion’s head.” The cross-section of Luzhong Dangshen is pale yellow or yellowish-white, with a yellow round core at the center. It features a sweet taste, large size, stout and long shape, straight skin texture, yellowish-black skin color, firm and dense flesh, many wrinkles, and is not dry. High-quality specimens are valued for their long and thick roots with white cross-sections. Dangshen is an authentic medicinal herb of Shanxi. Used medicinally for its root, it has a neutral nature and sweet flavor, and is known for benefits such as tonifying the middle energizer and benefiting qi, promoting fluid production, and harmonizing the spleen and stomach. It is one of the commonly used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Luzhong Dangshen is the most renowned variety.