- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Northern China and Mongolia. Astragalus mongholicus (A. membranaceus)
- Other names
- Huang qi
Asia · Herb · № 149
Astragalus membranaceus
Herb · Asia
Astragalus (huang qi)
Astragalus membranaceus
In Chinese medicine an important strengthening herb ('qi tonic') for fatigue, catching colds easily and sweating. NCCIH notes there is little reliable human research.
Safety notes
May interact with immunosuppressants, lithium and blood-sugar-lowering drugs. Other Astragalus species can be toxic; buy only from reliable sources.
Cautions by tradition (3)
- Herbs for viral infections: Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
- Chinese food therapy: Not with acute fever or infection. Caution with immunosuppressive medication.
- Chinese materia medica: Not with excess, yin deficiency with heat or acute fever.
Preparation
The sliced root as decoction or in soup, often combined with other herbs. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Huang qi means 'yellow leader', as it was considered one of the foremost tonics. Ody describes it as a Chinese herb that strengthens the 'protective qi' at the body surface.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbs for viral infections
Attributed effects
Stimulates the immune system, antioxidant, adaptogen; especially against HPV (warts); further for colds, cancer, HIV/AIDS, lack of energy, diarrhoea.
Preparation and amount
Tablet or capsule 200 mg twice a day; as a decoction of dried root usually 9–30 g a day (Chinese herbal medicine).
Caution: Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
Chinese food therapy
Attributed effects
Tough, fibrous root with a yellow-brown skin: strengthens the organs and resistance, supports circulation and is said to lower blood pressure and blood sugar. The corn soup strengthens the lungs, helps prevent colds and relieves allergic complaints such as asthma and an inflamed nose.
Caution: Not with acute fever or infection. Caution with immunosuppressive medication.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sweet, slightly warm
- Meridians
- lung, spleen
Attributed effects
Strengthens the defensive energy (wei qi) in frequent colds, shortness of breath and spontaneous sweating, strengthens the spleen and lifts the energy in poor appetite, prolapse, diarrhoea and fatigue, strengthens qi and blood after blood loss, helps poorly healing ulcers and drains fluid in oedema.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 9–30 g a day, usually in a decoction. Good roots are long, with a yellow core and a sweet taste.
Combinations
- With bai zhu and fang feng in yu ping feng san to prevent colds
- With dang gui (5:1) for blood deficiency
- With dang shen, goji, he shou wu and jujubes as soup or rice porridge
Caution: Not with excess, yin deficiency with heat or acute fever.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionPowder and kitchen