Shā Shēn (沙参) — Glehnia / Adenophora Root
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Modern research
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Shā Shēn (沙参) refers in modern practice to two related but distinct herbs: Běi Shā Shēn (Glehnia littoralis) and Nán Shā Shēn (Adenophora spp.). Both belong to the category of Cool herbs that nourish Yin in the Chinese Materia Medica and are widely used in Chinese herbal medicine to nourish Lung and Stomach Yin, ease dry cough and relieve a dry mouth and throat.
I prescribe Shā Shēn as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Shā Shēn |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 沙参 |
| Latin name | Glehnia littoralis (Běi Shā Shēn) / Adenophora spp. (Nán Shā Shēn) |
| English name | Glehnia root / Adenophora root |
| Nature | Slightly cold |
| Flavour | Sweet, slightly bitter |
| Channels entered | Lung, Stomach |
| Category | Cool herbs that nourish Yin |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Nourishes Lung Yin and clears Lung heat
- Nourishes Stomach Yin and generates fluids
- Nán Shā Shēn additionally transforms phlegm and tonifies Qi mildly
Indications
- Dry cough with little phlegm or blood-streaked sputum from Lung Yin deficiency
- Dry throat, hoarse voice and thirst from Lung-Stomach Yin deficiency
- Atrophic gastritis with thirst, poor appetite and dry stools
- Residual heat after febrile illness with dryness and weakness
4. Modern research
Glehnia root contains coumarins (psoralen, imperatorin), polysaccharides and essential oil. Adenophora contains triterpenoid saponins and polysaccharides. Studies report immunomodulatory, antitussive, expectorant and mild antitumour effects. Both are used as gentle convalescent tonics in modern Chinese practice.
5. Cautions and contraindications
Traditionally considered incompatible with Lí Lú (Veratrum nigrum) according to the “eighteen incompatibilities”. Contraindicated in cough from Wind-Cold.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).
6. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Shā Shēn as part of tailored herbal formulas for chronic dry cough, post-viral cough, dry-throat hoarseness in singers and teachers, and Stomach-Yin patterns with thirst and poor appetite. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available.
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