What is the difference between Astragalus and Codonopsis?

What are the differences between Astragalus and Codonopsis? Both Chinese herbal medicines are used to replenish qi, but they are two completely different looking Chinese medicinal materials. Codonopsis is grayish yellow in appearance with many fine lines on it. There are a lot of forks on it. Astragalus is yellowish brown in color and round in shape. These are the differences in appearance between the two Chinese medicinal herbs that I know of. I will reveal the specific differences in their efficacy to you soon.

Astragalus can replenish qi, nourish the spleen, and benefit the lungs and strengthen the exterior. Codonopsis can only strengthen the spleen and replenish qi, but it has no power to consolidate the exterior. However, Codonopsis can also invigorate qi and promote the production of body fluids, while Astragalus has no effect on promoting the production of body fluids. Astragalus can also promote diuresis, while Codonopsis has no diuretic effect. Atractylodes macrocephala mainly replenishes the spleen qi, and can strengthen the spleen and dry dampness. Codonopsis pilosula replenishes Qi and nourishes the spleen and lungs, but its ability to dry out dampness is not as strong as that of Atractylodes macrocephala. Huangjing can replenish qi, moisten the heart and lungs, replenish essence and marrow, and help the tendons and bones, but it is mild in nature and its effects are slow, so it takes a long time to be effective.

It has the effects of nourishing qi and blood, replenishing qi and warming yang, but it is not suitable for people who are prone to getting angry. Codonopsis is a commonly used Chinese medicine for replenishing qi. It is mild in nature, sweet in taste, and enters the spleen and lung meridians. It has the effects of replenishing qi, harmonizing the stomach and nourishing blood. It is most suitable for patients with qi deficiency who are usually tired, lack of energy, feel short of breath, and gasp for air after a little activity.

Astragalus is sweet and warm in nature. It enters the spleen and lung meridians. It has the functions of replenishing Qi, consolidating the exterior, promoting diuresis, nourishing blood, promoting muscle growth and expelling toxins.

Wolfberry is mild in nature and sweet in taste. It has the function of nourishing the liver and kidneys, improving essence and improving eyesight. It is used for deficiency of essence, soreness of waist and knees, dizziness and tinnitus, internal heat and thirst, blood deficiency and sallow complexion, and blurred vision.

In daily life, we should pay attention to reasonable nutrition, diversify our food as much as possible, eat more high-protein, multi-vitamin, low-animal fat, easily digestible food and fresh fruits and vegetables, do not eat stale, spoiled or irritating food, eat less smoked, grilled, pickled, fried, and overly salty food, and combine coarse and fine grains as staple food to ensure nutritional balance. There are five flavors: sour, sweet, bitter, spicy and salty, and each flavor has its special function. Sour can be astringent, promote salivation and stimulate appetite; sweet can nourish the spleen and stomach; bitter can be laxative, dry out dampness, and a small amount can stimulate appetite; spicy can also stimulate appetite; salty can clear the bowels and soften hard masses.

These are what I know about the differences between Astragalus and Codonopsis. We will encounter a lot of physical discomfort in our lives. Western medicine is very harmful to the body, so we can try Chinese herbal medicine. Although Chinese herbal medicine is slower to take effect, it does not harm the body. We should still do more exercise in our daily life, which can exercise the body and increase immunity.