Leung's Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

andstimulationaswellasrelaxationofisolated
guinea pig ileum (IMM-2;WANG).5,14,15
Dangshenpolysaccharides have exhibited
immunomodulating effects in guinea pigs,
inhibited experimental ulcers (stress, indo-
methacin, acetic acid, and pyloric ligation
models) in rats, and had antistress effects
(prolonging swimming time and increasing
tolerance to anoxia and to elevated tempera-
tures) in mice, and so on.16–18
Oroxylin A was shown to have antihista-
minic effects on isolated guinea pig ileum.^12

USES

Dietary Supplements/Health Foods. Pow-
dered herb and extracts are used in tonic
formulas (in tablet, capsule, or liquid form),
often as oriental ginseng substitute, for boost-
ing immune system and replenishingqi(vital
energy); cut or tea bag cut herb is used in tea or
soup mixes (FOSTER AND YUE).

Traditional Medicine. A relatively recent
addition to Chinese materia medica,dangshen

was first described in theBen Jing Feng Yuan

(AD1695) as a lung-clearing (qing fei) drug

with a sweet taste and neutral nature. Its tonic

properties were later described in theBen Cao

Cong Xin(1757) and has since become a

highly valuedqitonic of equal status as some

ancient ones such as astragalus, ginseng, and

common jujube (see those entries). It is used to

treat many of the same conditions as these

tonics, including general weakness, lack of

appetite, chronic diarrhea, shortness of breath,

palpitations, asthma, cough, thirst and diabe-

tes, conditions due to spleen and blood defi-

ciencies, and damagedqi.

COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONS

Crude (whole or powdered) and extracts, with

no uniform standards.

Regulatory Status. Class 1 dietary supple-

ment (herbs can be safely consumed when

used appropriately).

REFERENCES

See the General References forCHP;CMH;FOSTER AND YUE;IMM-2;JIXIAN;JIANGSU;LU AND LI;NATIONAL;
WANG;ZHU.

1. Z. T. Wang and G. J. Xu,Zhongcaoyao,
   23 , 144 (1992).


2. S. J. Zhang and S. Y. Zhang,
   Zhongcaoyao, 18 (3), 2 (1987).


3. D. G. Cai, Zhongguo Zhongyao Zazhi,
   16 , 376 (1991).


4. S. M. Wanget at.,Shanxi Zhongyi, 6 (3),
   35 (1990).


5. S. M. Wang and Y. Yang,Shanxi Zhongyi,
   5 (1), 37 (1989).


6. G. R. Han et al.,Zhongguo Zhongyao
   Zazhi, 15 (2), 41 (1990).


7. Y.X.Gong,Zhongcaoyao, 18 (11),37(1987).


8. T. Liu et al.,Planta Med., 54 , 472 (1988).


9. M. P. Wong et al.,Planta Med., 49 ,60
   (1983).


10. G. R. Han et al.,Zhongcaoyao, 22 , 422
    (1991).


11. Y. Z. Wang et al.,Zhongcaoyao, 17 (5), 41
    (1986).


12. D. X. Zhou et al.,Zhongguo Zhongyao
    Zazhi, 16 , 564 (1991).


13. J. Liao and Y. Q. Lu,Zhongcaovao, 18 (9),
    2 (1987).


14. X. L. Mao et al.,Chin. J. Integr. Trad.
    West. Med., 5 , 739 (1985).


15. C. O. Ling,Henan Zhongyi, 13 , 94 (1993).


16. M. X. Zhuang et al.,Zhongguo Yaoxue
    Zazhi, 27 , 653 (1992).


17. J. C. Cui et al.,Zhongcaoyao, 19 (8), 21
    (1988).


18. W.Lietal.,JilinZhongyiyao,(6),33(1990).

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