Glehnia Root
The premier Lung and Stomach Yin herb of Northern China — Glehnia Root nourishes delicate Yin, generates body fluids, clears deficiency heat, and soothes the chronic dry cough and thirst of a depleted constitution.
What Is Glehnia Root?
Glehnia Root (Bei Sha Shen, 北沙参) — "Northern Sand Root" — is the dried root of Glehnia littoralis, a coastal plant native to northern and northeastern China, Korea, and Japan. It is specifically the Northern variety (Bei/北) of Sha Shen, distinguished from the Southern Sha Shen (Nan Sha Shen, Adenophora stricta) which, while also a Lung-Yin herb, has a slightly stronger phlegm-resolving action. Bei Sha Shen is the more Yin-nourishing and fluid-generating of the two.
Sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly cold in nature, Glehnia Root enters the Lung and Stomach channels with a focused, gentle action. It nourishes Lung and Stomach Yin, generates body fluids, and clears the deficiency heat that arises when Yin is insufficient. Its primary clinical applications are chronic dry cough from Lung Yin deficiency — typically a dry, irritable cough without or with very little phlegm — and dry mouth, parched throat, and excessive thirst from Stomach Yin depletion. It is the principal herb in the classical formula Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang (Glehnia and Ophiopogon Decoction) for post-febrile Lung and Stomach Yin injury.
History & Origin
Sha Shen has been used in Chinese medicine for over two millennia, with the Northern and Southern varieties gradually differentiated in practice. Bei Sha Shen emerged as the preferred Lung-Yin herb from the Song Dynasty onward.
Traditional Uses
Nourishes Lung Yin
The primary action — replenishes depleted Lung Yin to restore moisture and soothing function to the respiratory tract. Used for chronic dry cough, ticklish throat, and hoarseness from Lung Yin deficiency.
Nourishes Stomach Yin & Generates Fluids
Restores Stomach Yin and generates body fluids to relieve dry mouth, parched throat, excessive thirst, and post-illness depletion — particularly after febrile disease has consumed Lung and Stomach Yin.
Clears Deficiency Heat
Its slightly cold nature addresses the low-grade heat arising from insufficient Yin — used for afternoon low-grade fever, dry throat with heat sensation, and the uncomfortable restlessness of deficiency heat.
Stops Chronic Dry Cough
A premier herb for dry, irritable, chronic cough without phlegm — used in formulas targeting Lung Yin deficiency cough alongside Ophiopogon and Mulberry Leaf.
Supports Post-Febrile Recovery
Used in the classical formula Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang to restore Lung and Stomach Yin depleted by febrile illness — one of the most important post-illness recovery herbs.
Supports Gastric Health
Its Stomach-Yin nourishing action supports healthy gastric function, used for dry stomach pain, reduced appetite from Stomach Yin deficiency, and dry nausea.
Health Benefits
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Lung Yin NourishmentRestores moisture to the dry, depleted Lung — relieving chronic dry cough, hoarse voice, and throat dryness.
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Fluid GenerationGenerates body fluids to relieve dry mouth, thirst, and post-illness dehydration from Lung and Stomach Yin injury.
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Deficiency Heat ClearingSoothes the low-grade heat of Yin deficiency — reducing afternoon fever and the dry heat of a depleted constitution.
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Gastric Yin SupportNourishes Stomach Yin for healthy appetite, comfortable digestion, and relief from dry stomach discomfort.
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Anti-inflammatoryCoumarins and polysaccharides studied for anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties supporting respiratory and digestive health.
The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products.
