The efficacy and function of Astragalus

For many Chinese people, traditional Chinese medicine is very trustworthy because it has a long history and few side effects. Astragalus is a common Chinese medicinal material, which has many benefits for human health. So how can we eat Astragalus? Let’s learn about it below.

[Other names] Daimian (Ben Jing), Daishen, Dushen, Shuzhi, Baiben (Bielu), Wangsun (Yao Xing Lun), Baiyaomian (Hou Ningji's Yao Pu), Mianhuangqi (Bencao Tujing), Huangqi (Gangmu), Jianqi (Liu Shilian's Medical Integration), Tushanbaozhanggen (Xinjiang Medicinal Materials), Dugen (Gansu Traditional Chinese Medicine Handbook), Errentai (Liaoning Economic Flora).

[Source] It is the dried root of the leguminous plants Astragalus or Astragalus membranaceus . Harvested in autumn. Remove the soil, cut off the root heads and branch roots, dry them in the sun and then bundle them separately. Or dry them in the sun until they are 60% to 70% dry, tie them into small bundles, and dry them in the sun again.

[Original form] ① Astragalus, also known as: Astragalus membranaceus, Northeast Astragalus.

[Habitat distribution] It is mainly produced in Shanxi, Gansu, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin, Hebei and other places.

[Properties] The dry roots are cylindrical, with very few branches, thicker at the upper end and thinner at the lower end, with both ends flat, 20 to 70 cm long and 1 to 3 cm thick. Generally, there is a thicker root head at the top and the stem base remains. The surface is grayish yellow or light brown, with irregular longitudinal wrinkles or grooves all over. The lenticels are transverse, elongated and slightly raised. The texture is hard and slightly tough, solid and powdery, and the broken surface is very fibrous and hairy; the cortex is yellowish white, with radially curved cracks, and is relatively loose; the woody part is light yellow to brownish yellow, with varying degrees of radially curved cracks; the woody part of the cross section of old roots is sometimes rotten and dark brown, and even falls off to form a cavity. The smell is faint and unique, the taste is slightly sweet, and it has a bean smell when chewed. The best roots are those with thick and long roots, few wrinkles, firm and soft texture, sufficient starch and sweet taste. Roots with thin roots, loose texture, little powder and large hollow tips are of inferior quality.

[Chemical composition] Astragalus contains sucrose, glucuronic acid, mucilage, several amino acids, bitter elements, cholecalciferol, betaine, folic acid (65 micrograms/100 grams of dry root), and 2′,4′-dihydroxy-5,6-dimethoxyisoflavanone and ursin.

【Pharmacological action】 ①Diuretic effect

[Toxicity] There were no adverse reactions when mice were gavaged with 100 g/kg of Astragalus and Astragalus membranaceus. The median lethal dose of a single intraperitoneal injection of Astragalus membranaceus to mice was 38.25±6.7 g of crude drug/kg, and that of Astragalus membranaceus was 39.82±4.3 or 40±5. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with the two decoctions of Astragalus membranaceus at a dose of 0.5 g/kg per day for 30 days. Their body weight, diet and appearance of internal organs were observed, and no significant differences were found compared with the control group. When 25-50 g/kg of Inner Mongolian Astragalus decoction was injected intraperitoneally into mice, no abnormalities were observed within 48 hours.

[Processing] Astragalus: Pick out impurities, remove remaining root heads and large hollow ones, soak in water, fish out, moisten thoroughly, slice in time, and dry in the sun. Honey-roasted Astragalus: Take Astragalus slices, add refined honey and a little boiling water, mix well, simmer for a while, put in a pot and stir-fry over low heat until it turns yellow and is no longer sticky, take out and let cool. (For every 100 jin of Astragalus slices, use 25-30 jin of refined honey)

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet, slightly warm.

[entry into meridians] Enters the lung and spleen meridians.

[Functions and indications] When used raw, it can strengthen the body's defense system, promote diuresis and reduce swelling, expel toxins, and promote tissue regeneration. It is used to treat spontaneous sweating, night sweats, blood stasis, edema, carbuncles that do not heal or carbuncles that do not heal for a long time. Uses of roasting: tonify the middle and replenish qi. It is used to treat internal injuries, fatigue, spleen deficiency diarrhea, rectal prolapse, qi stasis and blood loss, metrorrhagia, and all symptoms of qi deficiency and blood deficiency.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 3-5 qian (large dose 1-2 liang); made into pills, powder, or paste.

【Note】 It is contraindicated for patients with excess syndrome or those with Yin deficiency and Yang excess.

[Additional prescription] ① To treat spontaneous sweating: 1 liang each of Saposhnikovia divaricata and Astragalus membranaceus, and 2 liang of Atractylodes macrocephala. Take three grams of the above ingredients each time, boil with one and a half cups of water and three slices of ginger. (Yupingfeng Powder from Danxi's Heart Method)

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[Note] In addition, there are many species of Astragalus plants that are also used for medicinal purposes in various production areas. Such as spring astragalus (also known as Tibetan astragalus) (Tibet), Yunnan astragalus (Tibet, Yunnan), curved-toothed astragalus (Yunnan), Aksu astragalus (Xinjiang), etc.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

Through the introduction in the above article, I believe everyone has a certain understanding of Astragalus. Astragalus has a great effect and is very beneficial to the human body. Therefore, you can choose Astragalus according to your physical condition, but it should still be done under the doctor's advice.