キキョウ科

The family Campanulaceae, of the order Asterales, contains nearly 2400 species in 84 genera of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and rarely small trees, often with milky sap. Fresh or dried roots of Codonopsis pilosula are collectively regarded as famous herbal medicines and have been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years. It is called “Dangshen” in Chinese and “Tojin” in Japanese and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for replenishing qi (vital energy) deficiency, strengthening the immune system, improving poor gastrointestinal function, gastric ulcer and appetite, and decreasing blood pressure.