Use of Bei Sha Shen (glehnia roots) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Remove stems and fibrous roots, wash, peel off the skin and dry it.
Dosage: 6 - 12 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Nourishes Lung Yin and stops cough. Nourishes Stomach Yin and generates Fluids.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Bei Sha Shen may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Dry cough Bloody sputum Dry mouth Sore throat
Contraindications*: This herb should not be used by those with conditions of Wind-Cold nor should it be used by those with a weak Cold Spleen.
Common TCM formulas in which Bei Sha Shen is used*
Qi Ge San
Source date: 1732 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Formula key actions: Regulates Qi and removes Stagnation. Moistens Dryness. Transforms Phlegm.
Conditions targeted*: EsophagitisEsophageal diverticulum and others
Bei Sha Shen is a king ingredient in Qi Ge San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Qi Ge San, Bei Sha Shen clears Stomach Heat and tonifies without causing Stagnation.
The combination of the two key herb, Fritillary bulb and Glehnia root effectively invigorates Qi of the Upper Burner when it has become Stagnated by Phlegm.
Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Formula key actions: Clears and nourishes the Lungs and Stomach. Generates Body Fluids and moistens Dryness.
Conditions targeted*: PneumoniaBronchitis and others
Bei Sha Shen is a king ingredient in Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang, Bei Sha Shen is cooling, sweet, and slightly bitter. Despite its moistening nature,
it is thought to dredge the Lungs. It is thus ideally suited for
conditions where the tonification of Lung Yin must be combined with the venting of pathogens to the Exterior.
Yi Wei Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Formula key actions: Strengthen the Stomach. Creates Body Fluids.
Conditions targeted*: Chronic gastritisDiabetes and others
Bei Sha Shen is a deputy ingredient in Yi Wei Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Yi Wei Tang, Bei Sha Shen enters the Stomach Channel. It directs the action of the king herbs more specifically to the Stomach.
Key TCM concepts behind Bei Sha Shen's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Bei Sha Shen belongs to the 'Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency' category. Tonic herbs are used for patterns of Deficiency, when one lacks one of the 'Four Treasures' (Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang). Yin tonics have a heavy, moist nature. They either nourish the Kidneys and Liver or moisten the Lungs and Stomach. Extreme Yin Deficiency often translates into a 'burn-out', unfortunately more and more common among people today. It is worth mentioning that another great remedy against Yin Deficiency is a lot of rest and sleep; no herb will ever be able to replace this!
Furthermore Bei Sha Shen is Cool in nature. This means that Bei Sha Shen tends to help people who have too much 'Heat' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Cold in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Heat in their body are said to either have a Yang Excess (because Yang is Hot in nature) or a Yin deficiency (Yin is Cold in Nature). Depending on your condition Bei Sha Shen can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Bei Sha Shen also tastes Bitter and Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like Bei Sha Shen tends to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. On the other hand Sweet ingredients tend to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Bei Sha Shen is thought to target the Lung and the Stomach. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body. The Stomach on the other hand is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine.
Research on Bei Sha Shen
Glehnia littoralis has antibacterial and antifungal properties.1
Sources:
1. H Matsuura, G Saxena, SW Farmer et al. (1996). Antibacterial and Antifungal Polyine Compounds from Glehnia littoralis ssp. Ieiocarpa. Planta Medica 62: 256—259