This product is the root of the perennial leguminous plant Mongolian Astragalus Root (Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao) or Membranous Milkvetch Root (Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge.). It is mainly produced in Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Gansu, Heilongjiang, and other regions. It is harvested in spring and autumn, with fibrous roots and root heads removed, and then dried in the sun. It is used raw or honey-fried.

Bei Qi (herbal decoction pieces)

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Sweet, slightly warm. Act on spleen and lung meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Tonifying qi, raising yang, benefiting the defensive qi and securing the exterior, unblocking water and dispersing edema, promoting the healing of sores and generating flesh.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for spleen stomach qi deficiency and sinking of middle qi syndromes.
   1. Used to treat spleen stomach qi deficiency syndrome. Astragalus Root is skilled in tonifying the middle and replenishing qi. For spleen deficiency with symptoms such as shortness of breath, reduced appetite, loose stool, fatigue, and lack of strength, it is often paired with White Atractylodes Rhizome (such as Qi Zhu Paste), to tonify qi and invigorate the spleen; if qi deficiency is more severe, it is paired with Ginseng (Ginseng and Astragalus Concentrated Decoction), to enhance the tonifying qi effect; if there is middle energizer deficiency cold with abdominal pain and cramping, it is often paired with Cinnamon Twig, Peony Root, Liquorice Root, etc. (such as Astragalus Center-Fortifying Decoction), to tonify qi and warm the middle; if there is qi deficiency and yang weakness with fatigue and excessive sweating, it is often paired with Aconite Lateral Root (such as Qi Fu Decoction), to tonify qi, warm yang, and consolidate the exterior.
   2. Used to treat the pattern of middle qi sinking. "For spleen yang not ascending, sinking of middle qi, with symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, prolapse of the rectum, and visceral prolapse, Astragalus Root can tonify the middle and replenish qi, lift clear yang, and is often paired with Ginseng, Cimicifuga Rhizome, Bupleurum, etc. (such as Middle-Tonifying Qi-Replenishing Decoction), to cultivate the middle and lift sinking.
2. Used for lung qi deficiency and exterior deficiency spontaneous sweating, qi deficiency external contraction syndromes. Astragalus Root can tonify lung qi, benefit Weiqi, to consolidate the exterior and stop sweating. Used to treat lung qi deficiency with symptoms such as cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath, it is often paired with Aster, Schisandra Fruit, etc.; in recent years, Astragalus Root has been used as the main ingredient, combined with stemona root, Earthworm, etc., to treat chronic bronchitis, with considerable effectiveness. To treat exterior deficiency with Wei yang not consolidating spontaneous sweating, and susceptibility to external contraction, it is paired with White Atractylodes Rhizome, Saposhnikovia Root (such as Jade Screen Powder), which can consolidate the exterior to stop spontaneous sweating, and strengthen Wei to resist external pathogens.
3. Used for qi deficiency with water-dampness failing to move, causing edema and difficulty in urination. Astragalus Root can tonify qi and promote urination, thus reducing swelling. It is often paired with Stephania Tetrandra, White Atractylodes Rhizome, etc., such as Stephania and Astragalus Decoction. Currently, Astragalus Root is used as the main ingredient, combined with spleen and kidney tonifying, water-dampness promoting medicinals, to treat chronic nephritis with edema and long-term unresolved proteinuria, with considerable effectiveness.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Benjing: "Mainly treats long-standing sores, expelling pus and relieving pain, severe wind and leprosy, five types of hemorrhoids and scrofula, tonifying deficiency, and various childhood diseases."
2. Zhenzhunang: "Astragalus Root is sweet, warm, and purely yang. Its uses are five: tonifying various deficiencies, first; benefiting original qi, second; strengthening the spleen and stomach, third; removing muscle heat, fourth; expelling pus, relieving pain, promoting blood circulation and generating blood, internally supporting yin abscesses, making it a sacred medicine for sores, fifth."

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

It mainly contains glycosides, polysaccharides, amino acids, and trace elements.

• It has the effects of enhancing the body's immune function, diuresis, anti-aging, liver protection, and lowering blood pressure.
• It can eliminate experimental nephritis urinary protein, enhance myocardial contractility, and has estrogen-like effects and a broad spectrum of antibacterial effects.
• The membrane of Astragalus Root saponin A has various effects such as lowering blood pressure, stabilizing red blood cell membranes, increasing the content of c-AMP in plasma tissues, enhancing immune function, and promoting the synthesis of regenerated liver DNA.
• Astragalus Root polysaccharides have the effects of improving the stress capacity of mice, enhancing immune function, regulating blood sugar levels, protecting the cardiovascular system, and accelerating the repair of bodies injured by radiation.