Sha Shen (Radix Glehniae) is from the root of Glehnia littoralis Fr. Schmidt ex Miq. After cleaning, it is dried in the sun and then cut into segments. There are 2 variants, Bei (Northern) and Nan (Southern) Sha Shen.
Category: Tonifying – Yin Tonifying.
Common Name: Glehnia Root; Adenophora.
Channels Entered: Lung and Stomach.
Properties and Functions: Sha Shen is sweet, slightly bitter and slightly cold. It has the functions of nourishing Lung Yin and clearing Lung heat. Additionally, it nourishes Stomach Yin and generates fluids. The Bei (Northern) type is better to nourishing Yin while the Nan (Southern) type is better at clearing deficient heat and expelling phlegm.
Indications: Clinical indications for its use include non-productive dry cough from heat injuring Lung Yin. This is typically marked with dry mouth and thirst, additionally, it is used for thirst and irritability. Another clinical use is dificiency of Stomach Yin or consumption of body fluids due to Heat.
Dosage: 9 – 15g
Cautions and Contra-Indications: Contra-indicated for cough due to Wind-Cold or cold due to deficiency of Lung and Stomach. Incompatible with Li Lu and antagonises Han Fang Ji. It is antagonised by Gui Ban.