Astragali Radix
Aliases：Huangqi、Daishen、Daishen、Single Root、Water Chestnut-like Herb、Sichuan Resin、Myriad Root、Royal Descendant、Hundred-medicine Cotton、Mutton、Silky Astragalus、Mian Astragalus
Huangqi (Astragali Radix) is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb that tonifies qi. It is the dried root of either Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao or Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. (family Fabaceae).
Efficacy & Actions
supplementing Qi and raising Yang, stabilizing the exterior to stop sweating, promoting diuresis to reduce edema, generating fluids and nourishing Blood, moving stagnation and unblocking Bi (painful obstruction), supporting toxins and expelling pus, and drawing together sores and promoting tissue regeneration
Indications
Qi deficiency with fatigue, poor appetite and loose stools, sinking of Middle Qi, chronic diarrhea and rectal prolapse, hematochezia and flooding-spotting, spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency, edema due to Qi deficiency, Internal Heat with wasting thirst disorder, sallow complexion due to Blood deficiency, hemiplegia, Bi pain and numbness, abscesses difficult to bring to a head, and chronic non-healing sores
Modern Pharmacology
This product has the effects of regulating immune function, anti-fatigue, anti-stress, regulating gastrointestinal motility, anti-lung injury, diuretic and anti-kidney injury, promoting hematopoiesis, delaying aging, anti-liver injury, regulating blood lipids, and lowering blood glucose, among others.
Ingredients
It mainly contains triterpenoid saponins, such as astragaloside Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ (astragaloside IV), soyasaponin Ⅰ, and astramembranin Ⅰ, Ⅱ, etc.; flavonoids, such as formononetin, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, etc.; as well as polysaccharides, amino acids, and others.
Usage & Dosage
Internal use: 10–15 g in decoction; for a large dosage, 30–60 g may be used; or used in pills, powders, or extracts (ointments).
Contraindications
1. Contraindicated in exterior excess conditions or exuberant heat‑toxin Huangqi should not be used in cases of exterior excess (severe wind‑cold or wind‑heat external conditions), early‑stage sores or carbuncles that have not yet ruptured, or when heat‑toxin remains abundant after rupture. 2. Incompatibilities with other Chinese herbs Huangqi is incompatible with Guijia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum, turtle shell) and Baixianpi (Dictamni Cortex). 3. Interactions with Western medications (1) Avoid concomitant use with antihypertensive drugs, as it may increase the risk of orthostatic hypotension. (2) Avoid concomitant use with cardiac glycosides, because their effects may be additive, increasing the risk of cardiotoxicity. (3) When used together with heparin, warfarin, aspirin, or other anticoagulant/antiplatelet agents, the risk of bleeding may be increased. Additionally, Huangqi may reduce the pressor effect of epinephrine; therefore, concurrent use is not recommended. 4. Dietary restrictions During the course of using Huangqi, it is advisable to avoid consuming radish (including daikon), mung beans, and strongly alkaline foods such as grapes, tea leaves, wine, wakame (young seaweed), and kelp (seaweed).
Selected Formulas
1. Spleen Qi Deficiency Indicated for fatigue, poor appetite, and loose stools due to spleen qi deficiency. Huangqi can be used alone as a decocted extract or combined with Dangshen (Codonopsis Radix) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) to supplement qi and strengthen the spleen. 2. Spleen Deficiency with Sinking of Middle Qi For chronic diarrhea, rectal prolapse, or visceral ptosis caused by sinking of middle qi. Often combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), and Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) – as in Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Middle‑Supplementing and Qi‑Boosting Decoction) from Piwei Lun (Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach). 3. Lung Qi Deficiency with Chronic Cough For long‑standing cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and fatigue due to insufficient lung qi. Often combined with Ziyuan (Asteris Radix), Kuandonghua (Farfarae Flos), and Xingren (Armeniacae Semen) – as in Buifei Tang (Lung‑Supplementing Decoction) from Yonglei Qianfang. 4. Consolidating Exterior and Stopping Sweating (general use) Huangqi supplements lung and spleen qi to strengthen the exterior. Often combined with Muli (Ostreae Concha) and Mahuanggen (Ephedrae Radix et Rhizoma) – as in Muli San (Oyster Shell Powder) from Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang (Formulary of the Peaceful Benevolent Dispensary). 5. Exterior Deficiency with Spontaneous Sweating and Susceptibility to Wind For spontaneous sweating and frequent wind‑cold infections due to weak defensive qi. Often combined with Baizhu and Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) – as in Yupingfeng San (Jade Windscreen Powder) from Danxi Xinfa (Danxi’s Experiential Methods). 6. Edema Due to Qi Deficiency Used for edema caused by qi deficiency. Often combined with Baizhu, Fuling (Poria), and Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) – as in Fangji Huangqi Tang (Stephania and Astragalus Decoction) from Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer). 7. Deficiency of Both Qi and Blood For concurrent deficiency of qi and blood. Often combined with Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) – as in Danggui Buxue Tang (Angelica Blood‑Supplementing Decoction) from Lanshi Micang (Secrets of the Orchid Chamber). 8. Middle and Late Stages of Sores and Abscesses Middle stage (deficient healthy qi, exuberant toxin, failure to expel outward): Manifestations include flat lesions, diffuse borders, difficulty rupturing, or non‑liquefying necrotic tissue. Often combined with Renshen and Danggui – as in Tuoli Tou Nong San (Abscess‑Expelling Powder) from Yizong Jinjian (Golden Mirror of Medicine). Late stage (qi‑blood deficiency, non‑healing ulcer): Thin pus, persistently open wound. Huangqi promotes tissue regeneration and wound closure. Often combined with Renshen, Danggui, and Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) – as in Shiquan Dabu Tang (All‑Inclusive Great Tonifying Decoction) from Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang. 9. Wind‑Cold Dampness Impediment (Bi) and Post‑Stroke Sequelae Wind‑cold dampness impediment (arthralgia): Often combined with Chuanwu (Aconiti Radix Cocta), Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), and Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix). Post‑stroke hemiplegia: Often combined with Danggui, Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), and Dilong (Pheretima) – as in Buyang Huanwu Tang (Decoction for Invigorating Yang and Replenishing Five‑Tenths) from Yilin Gaicuo (Corrections of Errors in Medicine).
Daily Consumption
1. Huangqi Eel Soup Action: Supplement qi and enrich blood; nourish the skin and improve complexion. Suitable for sallow complexion, emaciation, and fatigue caused by qi-blood deficiency. Ingredients: 30 g Huangqi (Astragalus root), 300 g eel, 1 slice of ginger (shredded), 5 red dates (seeds removed), 2 cloves of garlic. Preparation: Rinse the Huangqi and red dates. Wash the garlic and cut into sections. Remove the internal organs of the eel, rinse, and cut into sections. Heat oil in a pan, add the eel, shredded ginger, and a pinch of salt. Stir-fry until the eel is half cooked. Transfer all ingredients to a clay pot, add enough water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1 hour. Season to taste. Usage: Serve as a side dish with meals. Drink the soup and eat the eel. 2. Fangji Huangqi Congee Action: Enrich blood and strengthen the spleen; promote diuresis and reduce edema. May be used as an adjunct for obesity. Ingredients: 10 g Fangji (Stephania root), 12 g Huangqi, 6 g Baizhu (Atractylodes rhizome), 3 g Gancao (licorice root), 50 g Japonica rice. Preparation: Place all the herbs in a pot and add enough water to cover them completely. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and decoct for about 30 minutes. Add the rice and cook into congee. Usage: Take 1–2 times per day, warm. 3. Huangqi Beef Congee Action: Supplement the spleen and stomach; boost qi and consolidate the exterior; harmonize the nutritive and defensive qi. Suitable for poor appetite, fatigue and limb weakness, shortness of breath and reluctance to speak, pale complexion, loose stools, as well as a large but weak pulse due to spleen-stomach qi deficiency. Ingredients: 30 g honey-fried Huangqi, 100 g beef, 30 g rice, 10 red dates, salt to taste. Preparation: Cut the beef into small dice. Place the beef and honey-fried Huangqi in a pot, add water, and cook for 30 minutes. Then remove the Huangqi. Add the rice and simmer over low heat until the congee is thick. Finally, season with salt. Usage: Take warm, 1–2 times per day.
Medicinal Parts
root。
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container. For processed Huangqi (stir-fried, honey-fried, wine-processed, and salt-processed), keep in airtight containers and store in a cool, dry place.