The difference between red astragalus and astragalus

Red Astragalus and Astragalus membranaceus are both very common traditional Chinese medicines in life. Although they are common, many people easily confuse red Astragalus and Astragalus membranaceus. In fact, there are differences between Astragalus membranaceus and red Astragalus, and their colors are also different, but their functions are basically the same. Red Astragalus generally tends to replenish blood and qi, while Astragalus membranaceus is less effective than red Astragalus. However, please consult your doctor about which medicine to use specifically.

The difference between red astragalus and astragalus

Red Astragalus is also called "single root". It has been used interchangeably with Astragalus since ancient times, but its original plant belongs to the same family but different genus as Astragalus. Hongqi, a traditional Chinese medicine name. It is the dried root of the Leguminosae plant. Distributed in Liupan Mountain in Gansu and the mountains in the south, northwestern Sichuan and other places.

Astragalus has the effects of replenishing Qi and raising Yang, consolidating the exterior and stopping sweating, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, promoting body fluid and nourishing blood, relieving stagnation and relieving numbness, expelling toxins and discharging pus, and astringing sores and promoting tissue regeneration. It is commonly used for fatigue due to qi deficiency, loose stools due to poor appetite, sinking of the middle qi, prolapse of the anus due to long-term diarrhea, bloody stool and metrorrhagia, spontaneous sweating due to superficial deficiency, edema due to qi deficiency, internal heat and thirst, sallow complexion due to blood deficiency, hemiplegia, pain and numbness, carbuncles that are difficult to heal and that do not heal for a long time.

This product is cylindrical, with few branches, slightly thicker at the top, 10 to 50 cm long and 0.6 to 2 cm in diameter. The surface is gray-reddish-brown with longitudinal wrinkles, transverse lenticel-like protrusions and a few root marks. The outer skin is easy to fall off, and the peeling area is light yellow. It is hard and tough, not easy to break, with a fibrous and powdery cross section. The cortex is yellowish-white, the wood is light yellow-brown, the rays are radial, and the cambium rings are light brown. It has a slight odor, slightly sweet taste, and has a bean flavor when chewed.

Astragalus, also known as Astragalus membranaceus. Perennial herb, 50-100 cm tall. The taproot is thick, woody, often branched, and grayish white. The stem is erect, branched at the top, with fine ridges and covered with white soft hairs. Perennial herb, 50-100 cm tall. It is produced in Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Gansu, Heilongjiang and other places.

The medicinal use of Astragalus has a history of more than 2,000 years. It has the effects of enhancing the body's immune function, protecting the liver, diuresis, anti-aging, anti-stress, lowering blood pressure and a wide range of antibacterial effects. However, it should not be taken in patients with symptoms such as excessive external evil, stagnation of qi and dampness, stagnant food, severe heat and toxicity in the early stage of carbuncle or after ulceration, as well as those with yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity.

Due to long-term and large-scale harvesting, the number of wild Astragalus has decreased sharply in recent years and is in danger of becoming extinct. For this reason, the plant is identified as an endangered species and a national third-level protected plant.

Astragalus is yellow-white in color and sweet in taste. It can replenish the body's qi and has the effects of raising yang, consolidating the exterior and stopping sweating, discharging pus and promoting tissue regeneration, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, and calming the fetus and benefiting the blood. However, people with cold, fever, chest and abdominal fullness and other symptoms should not take Astragalus; pregnant women should not use it for a long time and in large quantities.