Fourleaf Ladybell Root — Classic Formulas
Nan Sha Shen · Radix Adenophorae
Primary Actions
- Nourishes Lung Yin and moistens dryness - Nan Sha Shen is used for chronic dry cough, scant sticky sputum, throat dryness, hoarseness, and mild blood-streaking from dryness-heat.
- Nourishes Stomach Yin and generates fluids - it is chosen for dry mouth, thirst, hunger without appetite, and fluid depletion after warm disease or chronic illness.
- Benefits deficient Lung Qi while helping loosen phlegm - compared with Bei Sha Shen it is often considered somewhat better when dryness and deficiency coexist with lingering phlegm or weak appetite.
Classic Formulas
- Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang - classic Lung-Stomach dryness formula in which Sha Shen moistens and rebuilds depleted fluids.
- Yi Wei Tang - Stomach-Yin formula that commonly pairs Nan Sha Shen with Yu Zhu, Mai Men Dong, and Sheng Di Huang.
Classical Text References
- TCM Wiki describes Nan Sha Shen as sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly cold, entering the Lung and Stomach to nourish yin, clear heat, tonify qi, and dispel phlegm.
- Traditional formula commentary repeatedly places Nan Sha Shen in Lung-Stomach dryness patterns with cough, thirst, and weak appetite.