The difference between Codonopsis pilosula and American ginseng lies in their medicinal properties as well as their efficacy.
1. Medicinal properties. Radix Panax Ginseng has a slightly bitter and sweet taste and is cool in nature. It belongs to the foot-shao yin kidney meridian, the hand-tai yin lung meridian and the hand-shao yin heart meridian. Codonopsis pilosula has a sweet flavor and is neutral in nature. It belongs to the Taiyin Lung Meridian and Taiyin Spleen Meridian.
2. Efficacy. Radix Panax Ginseng is effective in promoting the production of body fluid, clearing heat, nourishing yin and replenishing qi. It is used in treating deficiency of body fluid and qi, dryness of throat and mouth, thirst and internal heat. It is also used in treating deficiency of yin and qi, tiredness and deficiency of heat, blood in phlegm, and loss of both qi and yin. It is not to be taken by those who have weak yang in the middle and have cold and dampness in the stomach.
Codonopsis is effective in generating body fluid, nourishing blood, benefiting the lung and tonifying the spleen. It is used for deficiency of Qi and blood, yellowish color, weakness, palpitation, dizziness, shortness of breath, injury of Qi and fluid, thirst, thirst and internal heat, deficiency of lung, spleen and Qi, tiredness, asthma and cough, etc. It is contraindicated in solid and hot cases. It is forbidden to take it for solid and hot cases; it is not suitable to apply it alone for positive deficiency and solid evil cases.
The adverse reactions of the above drugs are not clear, and they should not be used together with veratrum. The compounding and use of Chinese medicines should be judged by a professional physician, and should be used under the guidance of a physician if necessary.