Category
Tonify the Qi
Pin Yin
Latin Name
Astragali Radix
English Name
Dosage
9-15g
Entering Channels
LU
Flavor
sweet
Temperature
slightly warm
Pregnancy
Image
Chinese Herbal Formulas (Comprehensive List)
Individual Essential Oils
Kampo Name
Kampo Number
Kanji
Katakana
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Key Characteristics:
- Raises the yang qi, tonifies the Spleen and Lung Qi, stops sweating, facilitates urination, promotes discharge of pus, and generates flesh.
Cautions & Contraindications:
- Inappropriate for the early stages of sores or when there is significant heat toxin present after sores have ulcerated.
Actions & Indications:
- Tonifies the Spleen and raises the yang: for Spleen deficiency presenting with lack of appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea. Used for a wide variety of problems related to Spleen qi deficiency including qi failing to contain the blood, sinking and collapse of the middle qi, Lung and Spleen qi deficiency, insufficiency of both qi and blood, and fever from qi deficiency.
- Augments the protective qi and stabilizes the exterior: for deficiency with spontaneous sweating, as the herb stabilizes the protective qi. It also tonifies the Lungs and is used for frequent colds or shortness of breath. Depending on the particular combination of herbs, it may be used for excessive sweating associated with qi, yang, or yin deficiency. Its action in stabilizing the exterior may be used to produce a therapeutic sweat when diaphoretics do not work.
- Promotes urination and reduces edema: for edema from deficiency marked by superficial edema and reduced urination. Can be used as a stand-alone herb for this problem.
- Promotes the discharge of pus and generates flesh: for chronic ulcerations and sores due to deficiency that either have trouble forming pus or have formed pus but are not draining or healing well.
- In appropriate circumstances, for wasting and thirsting disorder, numbness of the limbs, paralysis, and painful obstruction.
