Dangshen is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It refers to the dried roots of the plants Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., Codonopsis pilosula Nannf. var. modesta (Nannf.) L.T.Shen, or Codonopsis tangshen Oliv., all belonging to the Campanulaceae family. The first two are primarily produced in Gansu and Sichuan; the latter is primarily produced in Sichuan, Hubei, and Shaanxi.This herb has the effects of strengthening the spleen and nourishing the lungs, as well as nourishing the blood and generating body fluids. It is primarily used to treat spleen and lung qi deficiency, poor appetite and fatigue, coughing and wheezing due to deficiency, deficiency of qi and blood, sallow complexion, palpitations and shortness of breath, thirst due to fluid depletion, and internal heat with excessive thirst.