One of the most useful herbs in the Chinese formulary is called astragalus. The Chinese name for astragalus is Huang Qi, which means yellow Qi (life energy), because this herb comes from the root of this plant, which is yellow. It is also a great herb for supporting your body’s Qi (general energy). There are many types of astragalus plant, which are a kind of bean or legume, but the specific plant that comprises Huang Qi is the Mongolian milk vetch plant, of which only the root is used.
Here are some of the ways in which Huang Qi is used in Chinese medicine:
- It supports your Chinese Spleen and augments your Qi. This simply means that astragalus helps promote healthy digestion, which is the primary source of your body’s energy. When your digestion is chronically funky, it can translate into poor energy. That’s because you’re not absorbing the calories and nutrients your body needs to function optimally. In addition to fatigue, Huang Qi can treat symptoms such as a lack of appetite, diarrhea (which is a sign that you’re not digesting well), gas, bloating and a rumbling stomach.
- It can raise Yang Qi. This takes a little explaining. You see, your body’s Qi is a kind of energy which has a number of functions, such as moving, lifting (or holding in place), animating, transforming and warming. When your Qi is weak, any of those functions can suffer. One sign of weak lifting or holding function is a condition called prolapse, which is a term for when an organ falls out of place and downward. Huang Qi can be used for prolapse of the uterus, stomach, rectum and bladder. In addition, this herb can be used to treat uterine bleeding and in women who have had miscarriages.
- Huang Qi can support your Lungs and immune system. Actually, your Lung system is the primary organ of immunity in Chinese medicine. Think about it; with every breath you take, you’re bringing the outside world into your body. Your Lung system, which consists of everything from your nose and sinuses all the way to your diaphragm at the bottom of your Lungs, is tasked with keeping harmful pathogens from making you sick. This takes a kind of energy, called protective Qi, and simply put, Huang Qi keeps it strong.
- Because it supports your digestion and energy, Huang Qi also builds up not only your Qi, but also the nutritional quality of your Blood, too. It’s frequently used in herbal formulas for women who have recently been though childbirth, as it helps restore their energy, reduce postpartum fevers, and treats fatigue due to blood loss.
- Huang Qi can also be used to treat edema (water swelling) by promoting water metabolism.
- This herb is helpful for certain skin issues, as it helps drain infections and promotes healing of ulcers and sores.
Because astragalus is such a widely useful herb, it is beginning to be studied by scientists. As a result, there are research studies that support it’s use to boost your immunity. Scientists are finding that Huang Qi can support your immune system by boosting the production of your body’s white blood cells. These are immune cells that prevent illness and help to fight viral infections. In addition, there are research studies that suggest Huang Qi can be used in treating chronic fatigue.
Other uses for this herb supported by early research include improving heart function; helping with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fatigue from chemotherapy; controlling blood sugar and supporting kidney function by reducing protein in the urine (which may indicate kidney damage).
While astragalus isn’t a food, there are some ways that this herb can be incorporated into your diet. In powdered form, it may be added to chicken soup to support your immunity and promote energy when you’re sick. It may also be mixed into a smoothie or added to a cup of tea. And astragalus can easily be baked into breads, cakes and muffins.
The take away when talking about astragalus or Huang Qi is that it supports your energy, promotes good digestion and helps your immune system. However, it takes a trained and experienced practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine to know what herbs to combine with Huang Qi, dosages and what formulas are best suited to your specific health condition and needs. If you’d like more information on Chinese herbs and how they might help you, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
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Dr. Jeda Boughton is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Registered Acupuncturist in Vancouver. She is also a Registered Herbologist and the founder of BodaHealth.
