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Knowledge baseHerbs

Tai Zi Shen太子参

Radix PseudostellariaePseudostellaria Root

Also known asPrince Ginseng Root · Heterophylly False Starwort Root

Category
Herbs that tonify Qi
Nature
neutral
Taste
sweet, slightly bitter
Channels entered
Lung, Spleen
Dosage
9–30 g

Usual doses

Dosage
9–30 g
Tincture
2–5 ml

Actions & indications

Strengthens the Spleen and tonifies *Qi*
  • Spleen and Stomach Deficiency with fatigue and anorexia
  • Lung Qi Deficiency with spontaneous sweating
Generates Body Fluids and treats chronic febrile disorders
  • Yin Deficiency Lung Dryness
  • Injury to fluids and weakness after febrile disease.
  • Unrelenting fever or Summerheat in children
Tonifies the Lungs
Lung Deficiency

Contraindications

Use with caution in Excess conditions.

Incompatibilities

Do not combine with Rx. et Rz. Veratri Li Lu.

Combinations

Notes

  • Its actions resemble those of Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen and Rx. Codonopsis Dang Shen, but more weakly.
  • It is more effective at generating Fluids.
  • It tonifies Spleen and Lung Qi, nourishes Yin and generates Fluids, treating Spleen Deficiency accompanied by Stomach Yin Deficiency, a combination often seen after a febrile illness.
  • One source credits it with tonifying the primal Qi of the Spleen and Lungs, stopping sweating, generating Yang Fluids and settling palpitations from Deficiency.
  • Tai Zi Shen, Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen, Rx. Codonopsis Dang Shen and Rx. Panacis Quinquifolii Xi Yang Shen all tonify the primal Qi and generate Fluids. Tai Zi Shen is much weaker, needing a larger dose, and its tonifying action is confined to the Lungs and Spleen. Dang Shen tonifies the Spleen Qi but not the primal Qi the way Ren Shen does, nor does it generate Fluids as Ren Shen and Tai Zi Shen do. Xi Yang Shen matches Ren Shen in strength but is cooler and generates Fluids more effectively, making it less suited to cases needing warm tonification. In mild Qi and Yin Deficiency, Tai Zi Shen can be used in its place.

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