Astragalus and Chinese Yam Decoction

Category: Herbal Tea

Herbal Tea Name: Astragalus and Chinese Yam Decoction

Chinese Name: 黄芪山药饮

Formula

30 grams of Astragalus, 20 grams of Chinese yam, 30 grams of lotus seeds, 40 grams of coix seeds, and 6 red dates.

Main Ingredients

How To Make

Wash the ingredients, place them in a clay pot, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer until the lotus seeds are tender and the mixture has thickened into a decoction.

Efficacy

Nourishes the spleen and stomach. Suitable for various types of chronic diarrhea.

Usage

Take in the morning and afternoon.

Commentary

Astragalus (Huang-qi) function as the chief herb. Sweet-slightly warm in property, it travels through the Spleen, Lung meridians, and works to tonify qi, raise yang, secure the exterior and promote the discharge of pus. Chinese yam (Shan-yao) takes the deputy (minister) role. Sweet-neutral in property, it enters the Spleen, Lung, Kidney meridians and works to tonify the spleen and lung, nourish the kidney and astringe essence. Lotus seeds (Lian-zi) reinforce this deputy action, working to tonify the spleen, astringe the kidney and calm the spirit. Coix seeds (Yi-yi-ren) serve as a supporting (assistant) herb, acting to clear damp-heat, strengthen the spleen and relieve impediment, thus refining the overall action. Red dates (Da-zao) round out the formula as the harmonizing herb, working to tonify qi, nourish blood and harmonize the herbs and moderate the overall properties. The overall effect is to nourish the spleen and stomach, restoring balance within the chronic diarrhea framework.

Astragalus and Chinese Yam Decoction，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Nourishes the spleen and stomach. Suitable for various types of chronic diarrhea.

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