Astragalus

Applications

Clinical Applications

1. To treat spleen qi deficiency manifested as fatigue, weakness, poor appetite, and loose stools, it may be used alone by boiling it into a decoction, or combined with herbs such as Codonopsis pilosula and Atractylodes macrocephala.

2. To treat chronic diarrhea, rectal prolapse, and visceral prolapse caused by spleen deficiency with sinking of central qi, it is often used in combination with Ginseng, Cimicifuga, and Bupleurum, as in the Bu Zhong Yi Qi Decoction (*Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach*).

3. To treat lung qi deficiency, chronic cough and wheezing, shortness of breath, and mental fatigue, it is often combined with Ziwan, Kuandong, and Apricot Kernel, as in the Lung-Tonifying Decoction (from *Yonglei Qianfang*).

4. This herb can tonify the qi of the spleen and lungs to strengthen the defensive qi and consolidate the exterior; it is often used in combination with Oyster Shell and Ephedra Root, as in the Oyster Shell Powder (from *Heji Jufang*).

5. To treat unstable defensive qi, superficial deficiency with spontaneous sweating, and susceptibility to wind pathogens, it is often combined with Atractylodes macrocephala and Saposhnikovia divaricata, as in the Jade Screen Powder (Danxi’s Heart Methods).

6. To treat edema due to qi deficiency, it is often combined with Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, and Stephania tetrandra, as in the Stephania and Astragalus Decoction (Essentials of the Golden Cabinet).

7.To treat deficiency of qi and blood, it is often used in combination with Danggui, as in the Danggui Bu Xue Decoction (*Lanshi Micang*).

8. To treat the middle stage of skin ulcers, where deficiency of the body’s vital energy and an excess of pathogenic toxins prevent the expulsion of toxins outward, resulting in a flat, sunken ulcer with a diffuse base that is difficult to rupture or decompose, it is often used in combination with herbs such as Ren Shen and Danggui, as in the Tuoli Toupang Powder (*Yizong Jinjian*); in the late stage of an ulcer, where weakness of qi and blood results in thin, watery pus and difficulty in closing the ulcerated area, this herb promotes tissue regeneration and wound healing. It is often combined with Ren Shen, Dang Gui, and Rou Gui, as in the Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (from *He Ji Ju Fang*).

9. For treating bi syndrome caused by wind, cold, and dampness, it is appropriate to combine it with herbs such as Sichuan Aconite, Duhuo, and Achyranthes. For post-stroke sequelae, it is often used in combination with Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and Earthworm, as in the Bu Yang Huan Wu Decoction (*Yilin Gai Cuo*).

Related Compatibility

1. Astragalus combined with Ginseng: Astragalus excels at tonifying qi and raising yang, strengthening the defensive qi and consolidating the exterior; it tends toward warming and protective tonification. Ginseng excels at greatly tonifying original qi, generating body fluids, and quenching thirst; it tends toward nourishing and fortifying. When combined, these two herbs complement each other’s effects, forming an important sweet-warm combination for tonifying qi. It is suitable for various symptoms of physical weakness caused by qi deficiency, such as mental fatigue, poor appetite, and spontaneous sweating.

2. Astragalus combined with Angelica sinensis: Astragalus tonifies the qi of the spleen and lungs to nourish the source of blood generation; Angelica sinensis nourishes the blood of the heart and liver to replenish blood and harmonize the nutritive blood. When combined, these two herbs enhance the effects of tonifying qi and generating blood. This combination is suitable for conditions such as internal injury due to overwork, muscle heat and facial flushing, restlessness and thirst, a weak and large pulse accompanied by severe fatigue, as well as skin ulcers, fever due to blood deficiency, and various deficiencies of qi and blood.

3. Astragalus combined with Cimicifuga: Astragalus is sweet and warm, excelling at tonifying qi and raising yang; Cimicifuga is pungent, sweet, and slightly cold, excelling at raising yang. When combined, these two herbs enhance the effect of raising yang and lifting sagging organs, making this combination suitable for conditions such as metrorrhagia and menorrhagia due to qi deficiency with sinking, rectal prolapse, and uterine prolapse.

4. Astragalus combined with Saposhnikovia: Astragalus tonifies qi and consolidates the exterior, while Saposhnikovia dispels wind and relieves exterior syndromes.When combined, Fangfeng helps Astragalus’s qi-tonifying action reach the entire body, while Astragalus, aided by Fangfeng’s dispersing action, does not retain pathogenic factors; conversely, Fangfeng, supported by Astragalus’s ability to consolidate the exterior, does not lose its dispersing effect. This combination embodies “tonification within dispersion” and “dispersion within tonification,” representing a synergistic application. It is suitable for conditions such as aching limbs and spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency in deficient patients.

5. Astragalus combined with Cinnamomum twig: Astragalus excels at tonifying qi and promoting blood circulation, while Cinnamomum twig excels at warming the meridians and unblocking the vessels. When combined, these two herbs enhance the effects of tonifying qi, unblocking the vessels, warming the meridians, and harmonizing the blood. This combination is suitable for conditions such as deficiency of qi, blood, nutritive, and defensive qi, muscle pain, and numbness in the shoulders and arms.

Medicinal Identification

Raw Astragalus and Honey-Processed Astragalus: Both processed forms have a sweet and warm nature and enter the Lung and Spleen meridians. They share the functions of tonifying qi and fortifying the exterior, promoting diuresis, drawing out toxins and expelling pus, and promoting wound healing and tissue regeneration.However, raw Astragalus excels at fortifying the exterior and stopping sweating, promoting diuresis and reducing edema, and drawing out pus from sores; it is often used for conditions such as an unstable Wei Qi, spontaneous sweating, common cold due to physical weakness, edema, and sores that have not yet ulcerated or have remained open for a long time without healing. Honey-processed Astragalus, on the other hand, excels at tonifying Qi and strengthening the middle jiao; it is often used for conditions such as Qi deficiency with fatigue, poor appetite, loose stools, and sinking of the middle Qi.

Related Medicines

Qingshu Yqi Pills, Jingshiling Capsules, Sanlianghan Medicinal Wine, Astragalus Stomach-Strengthening Ointment, Zhengxintai Capsules, and Buzhong Yqi Pills.

Related Prescriptions

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Decoction (*Discourse on Distinguishing Confusions in Internal and External Injuries*), Yu Pingfeng Powder (*Compilation of Medical Formulas*), Astragalus and Cinnamon Twig Decoction with Five Ingredients (*Essentials of the Golden Cabinet*), Bao Yuan Decoction (*Mirror of Compassion*), and Angelica Blood-Nourishing Decoction (*Discourse on Distinguishing Confusions in Internal and External Injuries*).

Medicinal Diet Therapy

1. Astragalus and Eel Soup

(1) Effects: Tonifies qi and nourishes blood; promotes health and enhances complexion. Used for symptoms such as a sallow complexion, emaciation, and fatigue caused by deficiency of qi and blood.

(2) Ingredients: 30g Astragalus, 300g eel, 1 slice of ginger (shredded), 5 red dates (pitted), 2 cloves of garlic.

(3) Preparation: Rinse the Astragalus and red dates; wash the garlic and cut into sections. Gut the eel, rinse it thoroughly, and cut into pieces. Heat oil in a wok, add the eel, ginger, and salt, and stir-fry until the eel is half-cooked. Transfer all ingredients to a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Season to taste.

(4) Usage: Serve as a side dish with meals; consume the soup and eel meat.

2. Stephania and Astragalus Porridge

(1) Benefits: Nourishes the blood, strengthens the spleen, promotes diuresis, and reduces swelling. Suitable for obesity.

(2) Ingredients: 10 g Stephania, 12 g Astragalus, 6 g Atractylodes, 3 g licorice, 50 g japonica rice.

(3) Preparation: Place all the herbs in a pot and add enough water to cover them completely. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes. Add the japonica rice and cook until it becomes porridge.

(4) Usage: Consume 1–2 times daily while warm.

3. Astragalus and Beef Porridge

(1)Effects: Tonifies the spleen and strengthens the stomach; boosts qi and fortifies the exterior; harmonizes the nutritive and defensive qi. Used for symptoms such as spleen-stomach qi deficiency, reduced appetite, fatigue and weakness in the limbs, shortness of breath and reluctance to speak, pale complexion, loose stools, and a large, weak, and soft pulse.

(2) Ingredients: 30g of roasted Astragalus, 100g of beef, 30g of rice, 10 jujubes, and an appropriate amount of salt.

(3) Preparation: Cut the beef into small cubes and place them in a pot with the fried Astragalus. Simmer for half an hour, then remove the Astragalus. Next, add the rice and simmer over low heat until it becomes a thin porridge. Season with salt to taste.

(4) Usage: Consume warm, 1–2 times daily.

Notes

Patients requiring treatment with traditional Chinese medicine should first consult a licensed TCM hospital, where a TCM practitioner will conduct a professional diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate herbal formula.