Codonopsis pilosula (Codonopsis pilosula)

Other names: Pazvonek dangšen, Ginseng of the poor

The hairy ginseng, also known as dangshen ginseng or poor man's ginseng, is a traditional plant native to East Asia. This perennial herb of the bellflower family is most commonly found in China and Korea, but can also be found in Mongolia or Siberia. The bellflower is known for its medicinal properties, which have been used in East Asian medicine for centuries. The plant reaches a height of up to 1.2 metres and is characterised by its bell-shaped flowers and creeping roots, which are the main ingredient in medicinal preparations.

The root of the hairy flint, called dangshen, is very popular in the Far East and widely used for its medicinal properties. It has a very wide range of uses, both in traditional and modern medicine. It is a component of many Chinese medicinal mixtures and teas, which are used, for example, to improve immunity, strengthen the body, increase physical and mental performance or treat gastrointestinal problems. The root is also used as an ingredient in some cosmetic products for its antioxidant properties. In addition, in the Chinese market, hairy flint is also offered in powder, tablet, capsule or tincture form. Its consumption is also popular in gastronomy, where it is used to make soups, rice dishes or sweet drinks.