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Cura x Cura

Nan Sha Shen南沙参

Adenophorae Radix · Southern Adenophora Root · Ladybell Root

Herbs that Tonify the Yin 补阴药《神农本草经》

Overview

The root of an adenophora bellflower — light and spongy where its northern counterpart Bei Sha Shen is dense and hard. Sweet and slightly cold, it moistens a dry Lung and a dry Stomach, and unlike the northern root it also loosens phlegm and gives a small amount of qi support, which is why it is the better choice when a dry, depleted cough still has sputum in it. The earliest records list only; the split into southern and northern came much later. Dry-frying makes it easier on a weak stomach, and honey-preparing strengthens its moistening, cough-quieting side.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Slightly cold

Channels

Lung · Stomach

Typical Dosage

9–15 g in decoction
南沙参Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Nourishes Lung yin, clears Lung heatDry cough with little or sticky sputum, hoarseness, and a dry throat left behind by a febrile illness.
  • Transforms phlegm and supports qiThe point of difference from Bei Sha Shen: a lingering cough that has phlegm and fatigue in it rather than pure dryness.
  • Nourishes Stomach yin, generates fluidsDry mouth, thirst, poor appetite, and a red tongue with little coating after illness.
  • Processed formsDry-fried for a weak stomach; honey-prepared when moistening the Lung and quieting the cough is the aim.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Nan Sha Shen

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Dry cough of Lung yin deficiency, with or without scant sticky sputum
    - Hoarseness and dry throat following a febrile illness
    - Thirst, dry mouth and poor appetite from Stomach yin deficiency

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Chronic dry coughPost-viral coughDry mouthChronic gastritis

Contraindications

Cautions

Cold and moistening: not for cough from wind-cold, and not for cold phlegm or damp obstructing the middle burner, where it makes the fullness worse. Classical incompatibility: not combined with Li Lu 藜芦.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.