Four-leaved bellflower

Other names: Adenophora tetraphylla, Adenophora triohylla, four-leaved bell, Nan sha shen

The four-leaved bellflower, also known by its Latin names Adenophora tetraphylla or Adenophora triohylla, is a plant that belongs to the bellflower family. This species is native to East Asia, where it grows mainly in China, Korea and Japan. Its Chinese name 'Nan sha shen' means 'sand coral'. The tendrils of this plant resemble coral and complement the landscape where it grows. The four-leaved bellflower is a perennial plant that prefers shady and wooded areas. It is characterised by its deep green leaves and blue or purple flowers that appear in summer.

The four-leaved bellflower is mainly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Its roots are used to prepare medicinal teas that are used as expectorants and also to treat tuberculosis and other respiratory-related diseases. This plant also has uses in cosmetics. The extract from the roots of the four-leaf bellflower is known to have moisturizing effects and is used in skin care products. Recent research has even shown that it may have potential in the treatment of cancer. In fact, its biologically active compounds show promising results in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to confirm this effect.