Yuthog Foundation for Tibetan Medicine

Medicinal Plants

Codonopsis clematidea (Schrenk) Clarke

Description:

Flower outside pale blue, dark blue veins at the base, inside above the ground red violet, ground dark grey green, surrounded dark brown

Altitude:

4040 m (13,255 foot)

Location:

Sapi, on wet, fertile grounds and maddows

Medical usage:

'bam; Arthritis; antiinflamatory, antiinfectious; usually internally

Nagas, mystical serpent spirits, usually live close to rivers, lakes and in marshy areas. They are believed to be very powerful beings who possess great wealth. If disturbed, they may cause diseases, especially of the lymphatic system. Tibetans prefer to never put up their camps too close to the water for that reason. Arthritis is associated with lymphatic disorders in the Tibetan system.
The Dorje, or skt. Vajra, is the symbol of the indestructible. Maybe the name is also associated with the shape and the beautiful marking on the inside of the flower which resembles a vajra.