Astragalus and Fish Maw Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Nourishes qi, lifts and strengthens the body, and protects the stomach. Suitable for gastric ptosis caused by qi deficiency.
the whole decoction leans warm; use with caution in those with yin deficiency and internal heat or lingering excess heat; the tonifying-warming action may aggravate internal heat; avoid during feverish or inflammatory episodes
Commentary
With astragalus as the sovereign, slightly warm in nature and sweet in flavor, with Spleen, Lung tropism, it tonifies qi, raises yang, secures the exterior and promotes the discharge of pus, and this opening sets the main therapeutic direction. These are joined ministerially by fish maw (with neutral nature and sweet flavor, having Kidney tropism, tonifies the kidneys and essence and nourishes the sinews and bones), and ground pepper (hot in nature and pungent in flavor, with Stomach, Large Intestine tropism, warms the middle, dissipates cold, and resolves phlegm), reinforcing the sovereign’s main effect. Completing the formula, shiitake mushrooms, tempering the formula’s tendency, and seasonal vegetables, harmonizing the stomach and supporting dietary nourishment, and scallions, harmonizing the stomach and supporting dietary nourishment, and ginger, acting as the envoy to harmonize the various ingredients, so that potency is moderated and stomach qi protected. Viewed as a whole, the formula addresses the qi deficiency presentation, treating both root and branch.