Funneled Physochlaina Root

Chinese: 华山参
Pinyin: Hua Shan Shen
Latin: Radix Physochlainae

Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Hua Shan Shen (华山参), this sweet and slightly bitter and astringent, hot herb enters the Liver and Kidney. Traditionally, it dispels phlegm and stops cough - Hua Shan Shen is used for cold-phlegm respiratory patterns rather than for hot, dry cough conditions, most often applied for cough, wheezing, and asthma. Modern research has identified Scopolamine among its active constituents.

Part used: Root

Also Known As

Physochlaina Hot Ginseng

Latin: Radix Physochlainae | Pinyin: Hua Shan Shen | Chinese: 华山参

TCM Properties

Taste: sweet, slightly bitter, astringent
Temperature: hot
Channels: Liver, Kidney

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

Dispels phlegm and stops cough - Hua Shan Shen is used for cold-phlegm respiratory patterns rather than for hot, dry cough conditions.
Relieves wheezing and asthma - its traditional role is strongest when bronchospasm, cough, and difficult breathing occur with cold-phlegm accumulation.
Induces tranquilization - classical use extends to palpitations, insomnia, and easy waking when sedation and restraint are needed.

Secondary Actions

Despite the name 'Shen,' Hua Shan Shen is not a true Panax ginseng tonic; it is a toxic solanaceous root with a very different pharmacology and safety profile.
The herb's traditional dose is small because the desired antiasthmatic and sedative effects sit close to atropine-like toxicity risk.

Classic Formulas

Cold-phlegm cough combinations with Xing Ren, Zi Wan, or other antiasthmatic herbs - traditional strategy when wheezing and thick phlegm dominate.
Sedative pairings with Long Gu or Suan Zao Ren - later practice logic when palpitations and insomnia accompany agitation.

Classical References

TCM Wiki describes Hua Shan Shen as sweet, slightly bitter, astringent, hot, and toxic, entering the Liver and Kidney to dispel phlegm, induce tranquilization, stop cough, and relieve asthma.
Traditional cautions explicitly list pregnancy, glaucoma, and severe prostatic hypertrophy as contraindicated settings.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

Scopolamine - a characteristic tropane alkaloid relevant to anticholinergic pharmacology
Atropine and related tropane alkaloids - major contributors to both bronchodilating effects and toxicity risk
Amide constituents - newer compounds isolated in recent Physochlainae Radix chemistry work

Studied Effects

A 2024 review of Physochlainae Radix summarized ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and quality-marker prediction, emphasizing that modern understanding of Hua Shan Shen is dominated by tropane alkaloid pharmacology and safety questions (PMID 38934285).
A 2023 chemometric study compared Physochlainae Radix samples from different regions, highlighting the importance of origin and quality control for a toxic herb with narrow practical margins (PMID 37735985).
A 2023 phytochemistry paper isolated two new amides from Physochlainae Radix, showing that the herb continues to attract compound-discovery interest beyond its classic anticholinergic constituents (PMID 37469185).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

Pregnancy
Glaucoma
Severe prostatic hypertrophy or urinary retention
Tachyarrhythmia or marked anticholinergic sensitivity

Cautions

Hua Shan Shen is toxic and should not be confused with safe food-grade or tonic roots simply because its pinyin includes 'Shen.'
Anticholinergic overdose risk includes dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, agitation, tachycardia, and central nervous system toxicity.
Because modern pharmacology is closely linked to atropine-like alkaloids, combining the herb with anticholinergic drugs requires high caution.

Drug Interactions

Anticholinergic medications - possible additive toxicity.
Sedatives or central nervous system-active drugs - clinical effects may become less predictable in a toxic solanaceous herb.

Conditions

Cough Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
Wheezing Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
Asthma Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
Insomnia Traditional ★★☆☆☆ JSON
Palpitations Traditional ★★☆☆☆ JSON

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Funneled Physochlaina Root used for?

Funneled Physochlaina Root is traditionally used to Dispels phlegm and stops cough - Hua Shan Shen is used for cold-phlegm respiratory patterns rather than for hot, dry cough conditions., Relieves wheezing and asthma - its traditional role is strongest when bronchospasm, cough, and difficult breathing occur with cold-phlegm accumulation., Induces tranquilization - classical use extends to palpitations, insomnia, and easy waking when sedation and restraint are needed.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2024 review of Physochlainae Radix summarized ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and quality-marker prediction, emphasizing that modern understanding of Hua Shan Shen is dominated by tropane alkaloid pharmacology and safety questions (PMID 38934285).; A 2023 chemometric study compared Physochlainae Radix samples from different regions, highlighting the importance of origin and quality control for a toxic herb with narrow practical margins (PMID 37735985)..

What are other names for Funneled Physochlaina Root?

Funneled Physochlaina Root is also known as Physochlaina, Hot Ginseng. In TCM: 华山参 (Hua Shan Shen); Radix Physochlainae.

Is Funneled Physochlaina Root safe during pregnancy?

Funneled Physochlaina Root is not recommended during pregnancy.

What are the contraindications for Funneled Physochlaina Root?

Funneled Physochlaina Root should not be used in: Pregnancy; Glaucoma; Severe prostatic hypertrophy or urinary retention; Tachyarrhythmia or marked anticholinergic sensitivity. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Does Funneled Physochlaina Root interact with any medications?

Funneled Physochlaina Root may interact with: Anticholinergic medications - possible additive toxicity.; Sedatives or central nervous system-active drugs - clinical effects may become less predictable in a toxic solanaceous herb.. Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.