Chinese Bulk Herbs – Astragalus (Huang Qi)

Astragalus is a key qi tonic due to its fine action of tonifying spleen and qi. For shortness of breath, fatigue, poor appetite and loose stool due to spleen deficiency, it is combined with qi-tonifying and spleen-invigorating herbs, such as Ren Shen and Bai Zhu. It can treat both the root and branch of sinking of middle qi due to its raising yang qi action.
It is indicated for chronic cough and dyspnea, shortness of breath and mental fatigue due to lung deficiency, because it can tonify lung qi.
It is a commonly used herb for deficiency sweating syndrome, because it can tonify qi of lung and spleen, strengthen superficies to check sweating.
It is indicated for blood deficiency syndrome, and both qi and blood deficiency syndrome, because it can supplement blood through tonifying qi and nourish blood directly. It is used in large dosage and combined with blood tonics.
It is a key herb for edema, little urine due to spleen deficiency, dysfunction of transportation, water-dampness stagnation, because it can tonify qi, induce diuresis and alleviate edema. It is commonly combined with spleen tonics, edema-alleviating diuretics.
It is commended as “the most effective herb for sores and ulcers” because it can dispel toxin to promote skin generation through tonifying qi and blood. It is indicated for middle and latter stage of sores and ulcers.
Besides, it is indicated for qi deficiency and blood deficiency, hemiplegia, sequela of wind-stroke because it not only activates blood through promoting flow of qi, but also activates blood directly, and it is combined with blood-activating and meridian-smoothing herbs.

Clinical Use (Chinese):

Latin Name:
Astragalus membranaceus
Astragalus propinquus

Chinese Name
Huang Qi

Common Names:
Mongolian milkvetch

Parts Used:
Sliced root

Properties:
Sweet, warm; lung and spleen meridians entered.
Tonify qi, raise yang, tonify defensive aspect to secure superficial, relieve edema through diuretic, dispel toxin to promote skin generation, nourish blood.

Cautions:
It is contraindicated in cases of exterior excess with excessive pathogen, internal obstruction, yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, early stage of sores and ulcers of excessive pathogen and no deficiency of heathy qi, because it can tonify qi, raise yang and strengthen superficial.

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

**This information is provided to assist trained practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine with selection of products. If you are not familiar with these formulas or concepts, please consult an acupuncturist or herbal practitioner trained in the use of Chinese herbs or refer to more in-depth reference materials. Chinese herbal remedies are meant to improve health and function, not act as a substitute for medical care.