Evidence supporting the use of: Codonopsis
For the health condition: Stress
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Codonopsis, also known as "Dang Shen" or "poor man's ginseng," is primarily used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a tonic herb to support energy, vitality, and resilience. In the context of stress, Codonopsis is thought to help the body cope with physical and mental strain, much like adaptogenic herbs. Historical TCM texts describe its use for "qi deficiency," a state loosely associated with fatigue, weakness, and poor stress tolerance. It is often included in formulas intended to "strengthen the spleen and lungs," which in TCM theory, can help bolster the body's capacity to handle stressors.
However, while the traditional use is well established, modern scientific research is limited. A handful of preclinical studies suggest that Codonopsis extracts may have mild anti-fatigue, immune-modulating, and neuroprotective properties, but robust clinical trials in humans examining its effects specifically on psychological or physiological stress are lacking. Therefore, its use for stress is justified primarily by traditional practice, with only weak scientific evidence to date supporting these effects.
Other ingredients used for Stress
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)7-Keto-DHEA
acetyl l-carnitine
alpha-pinene
arjun tree
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
sesame
black tea
bonito peptide
bupleurum falcatum
California poppy
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
chamomile
cordyceps
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
dong quai root
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish protein
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gardenia
gotu kola
green tea
guayusa
heartwood
hibiscus
hops
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-ornithine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus helveticus
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lavender
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
maca
magnesium
magnolia
matcha
melatonin
mint
motherwort
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
oat
passionflower
peppermint oil
perilla
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
pine bark
polygala root
pregnenolone
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
rose oil
saffron
sceletium
black ginger
skullcap
spearmint leaf
spinach
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
mulberry
whole adrenal glandular
zinc
sarsaparilla
suma
jiaogulan
catnip
cardamom
anise
fumaria parviflora
bee pollen
lingzhi
kanna
silk tree
oriental arborvitae
anemarrhena asphodeloides
St. John's Wort
yerba mate
noni
wood betony
biota seed
goji berry
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Aralia
Arjuna
akebia
Antler
Agastache
Agrimony
Apigenin
Antrodia camphorata
Arginine aspartate
Albizia
Anserina
Agmatine
Agarwood
Alpha lactalbumin
Algal protein
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Black spruce
Baccosides
Bacopin
Baicalein
Basidiomycota
Banyan
Brahmi
Bacopa
Buddha's Hand
Borage
banana
Bifidobacteria
Bupleurum
bacoside
Baicalin
Bird's nest
Centella triterpenes
Common Monkey Flower
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Codonopsis
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Chinese Fleeceflower
Chuchuhuasi
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Coca
Chocolate
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Catuaba
C-Phycocyanin
cypress
Cowslip
Calamus
Cherimoya
Convolvulus prostratus
Corydalis
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Celastrus
Canscora
Dismutase
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
Devil's Club
Date
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
Eplotab
Erythrina
Emblicanin
Goldthread
Glycine
jasmine
Lotus
Mistletoe
Mimosa
Orchid
Poppy
Pistachio
Rose
Spikenard
yohimbine
Other health conditions supported by Codonopsis
Adrenal FatigueAnemia
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Bronchitis
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Convalescence
Debility
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Gastritis
Inflammation
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Memory and Brain Function
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Pain (general remedies for)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Wasting
Wounds and Sores