What are the side effects of Astragalus?

Astragalus is a very precious Chinese medicinal material, and it can treat many diseases, so it is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. When people feel that they often have night sweats, or suffer from diseases such as chronic nephritis, they can take this Chinese medicinal material. However, all medicines are toxic. No matter which Chinese medicinal material it is, it needs the consent of a doctor before taking it to avoid any side effects.

Efficacy of Chinese medicine

1. Spontaneous sweating due to deficiency of exterior: mostly used for spontaneous sweating caused by deficiency of exterior. If the exterior Qi is not solid and sweating occurs, use Astragalus combined with Atractylodes macrocephala and Saposhnikovia divaricata to treat it. It will be effective if taken for a long time. Fang Ru Yu Ping Feng San; can also be combined with floating wheat, ephedra root, etc.

2. Night sweats due to Yin deficiency: It can be used together with Yin-nourishing medicines such as Rehmannia glutinosa and Ophiopogon japonicus.

3. Edema caused by acute nephritis: It is used for asthenic edema caused by insufficient Yang Qi, and is often used together with Fangji, Poria, Atractylodes, etc., such as Fangji Huangqi Decoction.

4. Edema in chronic nephritis, spleen and kidney deficiency: often used together with Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Poria cocos.

5. Weak Yang Qi: It is used for sores that have not ulcerated for a long time and have sunk inwards, which can promote ulceration and limit localization. If carbuncle does not break out for a long time, it is often used together with pangolin, soapberry thorn, angelica and Chuanxiong.

6. Ulcers and sores: If the sores do not heal for a long time, it can promote tissue regeneration and heal the sores. It is often used with honeysuckle, soapberry, and plantain. For cleaning pus, use together with Codonopsis pilosula, cinnamon bark, etc.

7. Lung Qi Deficiency Syndrome: Chronic coughing and asthma, shortness of breath, fatigue, and phlegm in the lungs that cannot be coughed out. It is often used in combination with Aster tataricus, Coltsfoot, etc. to warm the lungs, relieve asthma, and strengthen lung qi. The spleen produces phlegm and the lungs store phlegm, so we need to strengthen Taiyin to eliminate phlegm. Astragalus replenishes Qi so it is especially good at treating Qi deficiency.

8. Qi deficiency and weakness: fatigue, or sinking of Qi in the middle, rectal prolapse, or uterine prolapse. It can replenish qi and strengthen the spleen, and is often used in combination with Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, etc.; it can be used to invigorate qi, raise yang and lift the sunken, and is often used in combination with Codonopsis pilosula, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, Bupleurum chinense, and roasted liquorice, etc.

Modern medical research shows that Astragalus can enhance the body's immune function, protect the liver, have diuretic, anti-aging, anti-stress, lower blood pressure and a wide range of antibacterial effects. It can eliminate proteinuria in experimental nephritis, enhance myocardial contractility, and regulate blood sugar levels. Astragalus can not only dilate coronary arteries, improve myocardial blood supply, and enhance immune function, but also slow down the process of cell aging. Astragalus is easy to consume and can be boiled into soup, made into a paste, soaked in wine, or added to dishes.