Ginseng and Astragalus Pigeon Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Nourishes qi and blood. Suitable for infertility caused by qi and blood deficiency, characterized by a sallow or pale, lusterless complexion; physical weakness; fatigue and lethargy; dizziness and vertigo; a pale, swollen tongue with a thin coating; and a fine, weak pulse.
as the formula is predominantly warm, avoid prolonged use in those with yin deficiency, dry mouth, or restlessness with heat in the palms and soles; those who are robust with internal accumulated heat are not suited to this formula; the warming-tonic nature is inadvisable during damp-heat, yin deficiency with fire, or episodes of exterior-heat
Commentary
At the head stands Astragalus, the sovereign, of slightly warm nature and sweet flavor, entering the Spleen, Lung; it tonifies qi, raises yang, secures the exterior and promotes the discharge of pus, underpinning the principal thrust of the decoction. The ministerial support — white ginseng (of warm nature and sweet, slightly bitter flavor, entering the Spleen, Lung, Heart, Kidney, greatly tonifies yuan qi, restores collapse and generates fluids), and squab (of neutral nature and sweet, salty flavor, entering the Liver, Kidney, nourishes the kidneys, boosts qi, and dispels wind-toxin) — reinforces the sovereign’s main effect and coordinates the drug strength. Together the herbs converge on this action, in accord with the qi-blood pattern.