What are the medicinal properties of Astragalus?

Astragalus is a traditional Chinese medicinal material that is more common in the northern region of my country, especially in Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang. There is a lot of Astragalus in the wild in these two provinces. As a medicinal ingredient, the medicinal effect of Astragalus is worthy of recognition. In clinical practice, Chinese medicine uses Astragalus to treat a variety of diseases, enhance individual immunity, and play an anti-aging and blood pressure lowering role. So, what are the medicinal properties of Astragalus?

Medicinal Properties of Astragalus

It tastes sweet and is slightly warm. It has the effects of replenishing qi and strengthening the exterior, supporting sores and promoting tissue regeneration, and promoting diuresis. It is mainly used to treat qi and blood deficiency, spontaneous sweating, long-term diarrhea, prolapse of the anus, prolapse of the uterus, edema caused by nephritis, proteinuria, diabetes, chronic ulcers, etc. In recent years, it has been used clinically to treat hypertension and acute and chronic nephritis. The famous "Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang" is composed of Astragalus, ginseng, Atractylodes, Cimicifuga, Bupleurum, Licorice, Angelica, and Tangerine Peel. It has a good effect on treating weak spleen and stomach, fatigue of the limbs, laziness, shortness of breath, and sinking of qi in the middle.

Therapeutic Effects of Astragalus

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 Yupingfeng Powder; it 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.

In addition to its medicinal uses, Astragalus can also be used as a food on people's tables. It can be said to be a purely natural food. There are many ways to eat Astragalus. Most people like to use it to make soup, which can help prevent diseases and protect health. Astragalus can also help people regulate blood sugar levels and play a role in preventing and treating diabetes.