各地皆产，钱塘西湖南山尤多，春二三月发苗如蒿艾，而叶细小，本长二三寸，作石绿
色，
映日有光，土人俟夏月采其根以入药，俗名粉沙参，红党即将此参去皮净煮极熟阴干而成。
味淡无用。准绳∶劫瘴消毒散用之，呼为百丈光。
甘微寒，须蒸之极透，则寒去，气香味淡，性善下降，能伸肺经治节，使清肃下行，补
气生
津，治咳嗽喘逆，痰涌火升，久虐淋沥，难产经闭，泻痢由于肺热，反胃噎膈由于燥涩，凡
有升无降之症，每见奇效。以其根一直下行，入土最深故也。
脾虚下陷，滑精梦遗，俱禁用。以其下行滑窍，孕妇亦忌。
白带初起∶百草镜∶土人参切片三两，用陈绍酒饭上蒸熟，分作三服，吃完即愈。
王安采药方云∶土人参补阴虚，对配茯苓熬膏，治杨梅结毒，酒煎服。
防党附
本经逢原云∶产山西太行山者，名上党人参。虽无甘温峻补之功，却有甘平清肺之力。
不似
沙参之性寒，专泄肺气也。 百草镜云∶党参，一名黄参，黄润者良，出山西潞安太原等处
。有白色者，总以净软壮实味甜者佳。嫩而小枝者，名上党参。老而大者，名防党参。
味甘性平，治肺虚，能益肺气。
从新云∶古本草云参须上党者佳，今真党参久已难得，肆中所市党参，种类甚多，皆不
堪用
。惟防党性味和平足贵，根有狮子盘头者真，硬纹者伪也。白党即将此参煮晒已成，原汁已
出，不堪用。 翁有良辨误云∶党参功用，可代人参，皮色黄而横纹，有类乎防风，故名防
党。江南徽州等处呼为狮头参，因芦头大而圆凸也，古名上党人参。产于山西太行山潞安州
等处为胜，陕西者次之。味甚甜美，胜如枣肉。
近今有川党，盖陕西毗连，移种栽植，皮白味淡，类乎桔梗，无狮头，较山西者迥别，
入药亦殊劣不可用。
味甘平，补中益气，和脾胃，除烦恼，解渴，中气微虚，用以调补，甚为平安。
Produced in various places, with the South Mountain west of West Lake in Hangzhou being particularly abundant. In the second and third lunar months, it sprouts seedlings resembling mugwort (Artemisia argyi) and wormwood (Artemisia annua), but with smaller leaves; the stems are two to three cun long, displaying a stone-green color that shines in the sunlight. Locals harvest its roots for medicinal use during the summer months. It is commonly known as Fen Shashen (Powdered Glehnia Root). "Hong Dang" refers to this root peeled, cleaned, boiled until thoroughly soft, and then dried in the shade. Its taste is bland and it lacks efficacy. *Zhunsuo* records: It is used in Jie Zhang Xiao Du San (Miasma-Expelling and Toxin-Detoxifying Powder), where it is called Baizhang Guang.
It is sweet and slightly cold in nature. It must be steamed thoroughly to eliminate its cold property. It has a faint aroma and bland taste, and its nature tends to descend. It can regulate the governance functions of the Lung Meridian, allowing clear and descending Qi to flow downward. It tonifies Qi and generates fluids. It is used to treat coughing, wheezing, surging phlegm, rising fire, lingering malaria, difficult labor, and amenorrhea. For diarrhea and dysentery caused by Lung Heat, and regurgitation or dysphagia caused by dryness and obstruction, it often shows miraculous effects in conditions characterized by ascending without descending. This is because its main root grows vertically downward, penetrating deepest into the soil.
It is strictly contraindicated for Spleen Qi deficiency with sinking, seminal emission, and nocturnal emission, due to its descending and slippery nature which opens the orifices. Pregnant women should also avoid it.
For early-stage leukorrhea: *Baicao Jing* records: Take three liang of sliced Tu Renshen, steam it over rice wine (Chen Shaojiu) on steamed rice until cooked, divide into three doses, and consume completely for a cure.
Wang An's Herb-Gathering Formula states: Tu Renshen tonifies Yin deficiency. When paired with Poria cocos (Fuling) and decocted into an ointment/paste, taken with wine decoction, it treats chancre sores (Yamei Jiedu).
Note on Fang Dangshen:
*Benjing Fengyuan* records: The variety produced in the Taihang Mountains of Shanxi is named Shangdang Renshen. Although it lacks the potent warming and tonifying power of sweet-warm herbs, it possesses the ability to clear the Lungs with a sweet and neutral nature. Unlike Glehnia root (Shashen), which is cold in nature and specifically drains Lung Qi.
*Baicao Jing* records: Dangshen, also known as Huangshen, is best when yellow and moist. It originates from areas such as Lu'an and Taiyuan in Shanxi. Some varieties are white. Generally, those that are clean, soft, robust, and sweet-tasting are superior. The tender, small branches are named Shangdang Dangshen, while the older, larger ones are named Fang Dangshen.
Cong Xin Yun: Ancient materia medica texts state that Dangshen tendril from Shangdang is superior. Today, authentic Dangshen is rare, and the many varieties sold in markets are mostly unsuitable for use. Only Fang Dangshen, with its mild and harmonious nature, is precious. Authentic roots exhibit a "Lion's Head Coil" feature, whereas those with hard lines are counterfeit. "Bai Dang" refers to this herb boiled and sun-dried, having lost its original juice, making it unsuitable for use.
Weng Youliang's Correction of Errors states: The efficacy of Dangshen can substitute for Ginseng. Its skin is yellow with transverse wrinkles, resembling Saposhnikovia root (Fangfeng), hence the name Fang Dang. In Jiangnan regions like Huizhou, it is called Shitou Shen (Lion-Head Ginseng) because the rhizome head is large and convex. Its ancient name was Shangdang Renshen. The variety produced in Lu'an Prefecture, Taihang Mountains, Shanxi, is considered the finest, followed by those from Shaanxi. Its taste is very sweet and pleasant, surpassing that of jujube flesh.
Recently, there is Chuan Dangshen, likely cultivated in areas bordering Shaanxi. It has white skin and a bland taste, resembling Platycodon root (Jiegeng), lacks the lion-head feature, and is distinctly different from the Shanxi variety. It is inferior for medicinal use and should not be used.
(Fang Dangshen) is sweet in taste and neutral in nature. It tonifies the Middle and benefits Qi, harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach, relieves vexation, and quenches thirst. For slight deficiency of Middle Qi, using it for regulation and tonification is very safe and stable.