The difference between southern and northern adenophora

Different medicinal materials have different effects and functions, no matter how similar their names are, so we need to be extremely cautious when prescribing medicines. Do not assume that medicines with similar names have the same effects and functions. If you prescribe the wrong medicine, it will lead to very serious consequences. For example, although the names of Adenophora australis and Adenophora radix are only one character different, there are differences between the two and their uses are also different.

1. Overview of the differences between Nansha ginseng and Beisha ginseng:

According to ancient documents, the Adenophora used by our ancestors was Adenophora australis. In the Qing Dynasty, it was recorded that Adenophora radix was divided into two types: southern and northern. It is generally believed that the two medicines have similar effects and are both yin-nourishing medicines, which have the effects of nourishing yin, clearing the lungs, benefiting the stomach and producing body fluids. However, Adenophora australis, also known as large Adenophora stellaria and empty Adenophora stellaria, has a rough shape, loose texture, poor efficacy, and is good at entering the "lungs", and is biased towards clearing the lungs, removing phlegm and relieving cough; Adenophora australis, also known as northern strip ginseng and fine strip ginseng, has a slender shape, hard and dense texture, better efficacy, and is good at entering the "stomach", and is biased towards nourishing yin, promoting fluid production and quenching thirst. There are different opinions.

Modern research shows that Glehnia littoralis contains alkaloids, volatile oils, etc., which have the effects of lowering body temperature, relieving pain, and strengthening the heart. Glehnia littoralis contains flavonoids, saponins, etc., which have the effects of removing phlegm, resisting true stones, and strengthening the heart.

Adenophora australis nourishes yin, clears heat, moistens the lungs and resolves phlegm to treat yin deficiency, chronic cough, tuberculosis, cough with blood in sputum, dry cough and less sputum; deficiency-heat throat congestion (moistens the lungs and relieves cough). Northern Adenophora is used to treat stomach yin deficiency, lack of body fluid, dry throat and thirst (nourishes the stomach and produces body fluid).

2. Nansha ginseng and Beisha ginseng should be two kinds of medicine:

① Different families: Adenophora australis belongs to Campanulaceae, while Adenophora australis belongs to Apiaceae.

② Different nature and flavor: Adenophora australis is sweet and mild, and has a neutral nature, while Adenophora australis is sweet and cold

③ Different functions: Southern Adenophora replenishes the Qi of the lungs and spleen, and is suitable for those with spleen and lung Qi deficiency, fatigue, poor appetite, spontaneous sweating, pale tongue, and weak pulse; Northern Adenophora is good at nourishing the Yin of the lungs and stomach, and is suitable for those in the late stage of fever or long-term illness with Yin deficiency and internal heat, dry cough, little sputum, low fever, dry mouth, red tongue, little coating, and weak pulse. In addition, in terms of their texture, Northern Adenophora is solid, while Southern Adenophora is loose. The solid one is used to nourish yin, while the loose one is used to replenish qi.