Beef, Astragalus, and Barley Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Nourishes qi and yin. Suitable for spontaneous excessive sweating caused by deficiency of both qi and yin.
with a distinctly warm cast, the formula may aggravate dryness-heat; those prone to oral ulcers or constipation should be cautious; those who are robust with internal accumulated heat are not suited to this formula; as a warming-tonic formula, it is not for those with excess heat, damp-heat, or unresolved exterior patterns; as astringent herbs are present, they should not be used early while external pathogens, damp-heat, or food stagnation remain
Commentary
With beef as the sovereign, nature neutral, flavor sweet, channeled into the Spleen, Stomach, it tonifies the middle, boosts qi, and strengthens the sinews, and this opening sets the main therapeutic direction. The ministerial layer, astragalus (with slightly warm nature and sweet flavor, having Spleen, Lung tropism, tonifies qi, raises yang, secures the exterior and promotes the discharge of pus), and floating wheat (nature cool, flavor sweet, channeled into the Heart, secures the exterior, stops sweating, benefits qi and clears heat), lends support that reinforces the sovereign’s main effect. The formula is rounded out by chinese yam, tempering the formula’s tendency, and jujubes, acting as the envoy to harmonize the various ingredients, keeping the combination balanced and well-tempered. Viewed as a whole, the formula addresses the qi-yin presentation, treating both root and branch.