Uncle Wen says making Traditional Chinese Medicine more beautiful, interesting, and closer to life
Qi (vital energy) in the human body is akin to the economy of a nation. When a country’s economy is weak, it struggles with construction, national defense, and retaining talent.When the body’s qi is deficient, it cannot circulate blood, generate blood, retain blood and fluids, or resist external pathogens…Astragalus (Huang Qi) is a commonly used qi-tonifying herb. Unlike the powerful Da Huang (Rhubarb), the warm Fu Zi (Aconite), or the gentle Di Huang (Rehmannia), it resembles a highly respected Minister of Finance.Minister Huang is an expert in economics; when the body’s economy (qi) collapses, Elder Huang can quickly revive it.When the economy is thriving, there is money to do various things. It can distribute ‘salaries’ to different departments in the body, promoting smooth bodily functions (the driving effect of qi); it can also retain fluids and blood, preventing talent loss (the retaining effect of qi); and it can bolster national defense, preventing external invasions (defensive effect)…Tasting the HerbAstragalus decoction has a light yellow color and a slight bean-like aroma. After drinking it, the taste is sweet, somewhat reminiscent of soy milk, and quite pleasant! Notably, Astragalus does not have any unpleasant medicinal taste.
In the past, when I accompanied my teacher in the clinic, I was mainly responsible for taking patient histories and recording medical records, asking about 25 patients in an afternoon.During my detailed inquiries, I would talk a lot, and as the saying goes, “too much talking leads to qi deficiency.” For a period, I often felt low in energy and had to take deep breaths to feel comfortable; I lacked the strength to speak and found talking exhausting.This is a typical symptom of qi deficiency described in TCM as “reluctance to speak and shortness of breath.”I used about 50g of Astragalus to make a decoction, and after drinking it for two to three days, the symptoms of reluctance to speak and shortness of breath disappeared, and my spirit improved. Truly the “master of qi tonification!”However, I usually have minor gastrointestinal issues, with a white greasy coating at the root of my tongue, and sometimes I experience abdominal bloating. During the days I drank Astragalus water, although the symptoms of qi deficiency disappeared, I did experience some bloating.Of course, this bloating may not necessarily be caused by Astragalus; it could also be due to my irregular diet.According to the “Ben Cao Hai Li”: “Astragalus can greatly hinder appetite; those with chest and stomach tightness or gastrointestinal stagnation should not use it.“Indeed, if qi deficiency is significant and there is gastrointestinal stagnation, it is not suitable to use Astragalus alone; it should be combined with a small amount of herbs that promote qi and resolve stagnation, such as Mu Xiang (Aucklandia) or Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel). For example, Zhang Xi-chun liked to combine Astragalus with E Zhu (Curcuma).When I was a graduate student at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, I once tried a large dose of Astragalus combined with a small dose of E Zhu, and after drinking it, my appetite indeed increased.Application GuidelinesThe “Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing” records Astragalus: “It treats carbuncles, chronic ulcers, purges pus and alleviates pain, treats dysentery, five types of hemorrhoids, and children’s diseases,tonifies deficiency,and various ailments in children.”Among these, “carbuncles, chronic ulcers, dysentery, and children’s diseases” are the diseases treated, while “purging pus, alleviating pain, and tonifying deficiency” are its effects. Later generations of physicians have added many diseases treated by Astragalus, such as “diabetes,” “difficult labor,” “arthralgia,” and “allergic diseases.”In fact, regardless of the disease, it is the qi tonifying effect of Astragalus that naturally treats various symptoms caused by qi deficiency.The application guideline for Astragalus is qi deficiency.This is mainly reflected in a reduced pulse amplitude—weak pulse. Symptoms of qi deficiency may include fatigue, reluctance to speak, low voice, shortness of breath, and susceptibility to colds.One can also refer to Huang Huang’s theory of medicinal evidence, where individuals with an Astragalus constitution may present with: soft muscles, weak abdominal wall, pale and swollen tongue, and obesity.CompatibilityAstragalus primarily tonifies qi; when combined with Ren Shen (Ginseng) and Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), it can enhance the qi tonifying effect;when combined with Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), it can tonify qi and nourish blood;when combined with Xuan Shen (Scrophularia), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Sheng Di (Rehmannia), and Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena), it can tonify qi and nourish yin;when combined with Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica), Zao Jiao Ci (Gleditsia Thorn), Ru Xiang (Frankincense), Mo Yao (Myrrh), and Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle), it can expel toxins, purge pus, and heal sores;when combined with Hong Hua (Carthamus) and Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), it can tonify qi and invigorate blood;when combined with Mu Li (Oyster Shell) and Fu Xiao Mai (Wheat), it can tonify qi and restrain sweating;when combined with Sheng Di Yu (Sanguisorba) and San Qi (Notoginseng), it can also stop bleeding…PrecautionsAlthough Minister Huang is skilled in tonifying qi and revitalizing the economy, caution is needed when using it. Astragalus can easily cause abdominal bloating, not to mention; it can also lead to diarrhea. My teacher has encountered cases where Astragalus caused diarrhea; some individuals may also be allergic to Astragalus, experiencing skin itching after taking it.Special Reminder:A beautiful day begins! I hope Uncle’s article brings you a good mood for the day. If you like the article, don’t forget toclick the “See More” button at the bottom right of the article or share it with your friends!Uncle’s shared formulas should be taken under the guidance of a physician; the consequences are at your own risk. Due to limited energy and ability, I cannot reply to all messages; please forgive me. 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