Chinese herb stories 1: Astragali Radix, or milkvetch root (Huang qi)

Stories of Astragali Radix, or milkvetch root (Huang qi):

Huang means yellow. In ancient China, Qi meant people in their 60’s. A Chinese doctor named Dai Shen in his 60’s. He was tall and slim, and his face was a bit yellowish; he was kind and humble, he was good at acupuncture and saved many lives. He was respected and was nicknamed as Huang Qi because of his look. He died to save a child falling a cliff. After he died, people called the type of plants surrounding his grave as Huang Qi to remember him.

Another story was about Huang Qi. A famous Chinese doctor Xu Yinzong was asked to treat Queen mother who had stroke and couldn’t talk. Dr Xu used a formula with Huang Qi and put boiled Huang Qi tea under Queen’s mother’s bed to smoke her mouth and skin. Next day the Queen’s mother woke up and could talk.

Huang Qi had a nickname as a prince, this was because they was yellow in color, big and straight like royals in people’s mind. The famous poem by Wang Wei from tang Dynasty <farewell>: Saw off a friend in mountains, closed the twigged door. The grass would turn green next year, would the price come back?

Huang Qi porridge was extremely popular in ancient China. This was known from the poems by Bai Yu Yi in Tang Dynasty and Su Shi in Song Dynasty.

Astragalus Radix (Huang qi) are the dried root of Astragalus. They are sweet in flavour and warm in nature. Daily dose is 9-30 g. They attribute to lung, spleen, liver and kidney maridians. They tonify Qi, draws out toxicity.

Astragalus Radix was first appeared in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing-an ancient Chinese medicinal herbs book in 200 AD. It was described that it had effect of nourishing Qi and blood with a wide range of treatment uses and without toxicity. It was used for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, liver problem, kidney disease, and skin condition.

There’s still limited research on astragalus, but it has uses in treating the common cold, seasonal allergies, heart conditions, kidney disease, chronic fatigue and more.

1, They may help strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation. It regulates innate and acquired immune function including immune cells and antibodies. It is used for respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and lung infection. It is the most frequently used herbs for prevention of COVID-19 in China. It reduces frequency of getting cold. It was found that it can kills bacteria and viruses.

2, They may boost energy and reduce fatigue.

3, They have antiaging effect via inhibiting the oxidant stress by up-regulating the antioxidant factors. It can reverse the memory impairment and neurodegeneration and has anti-tumor effect.

4, They improve circulation to protect the heart and blood vessels and may Improve Heart Function.

5, They helps people with diabetes by reducing blood sugar level and insulin resistance. It is the most frequently prescribed herb to help with diabetes management in China.

6, They may protect liver.

7, They have diuretic effects and protects kidney.

Radix Astragali provide significant protection against heart, brain, kidney, intestine, liver and lung injury in various models of oxidative stress-related disease

References
Guo Z et al Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Mar 22;20(6).
Liu Y et al Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019 Dec 12;2019:4598167.
Lou H et al Chin J Integr Med. 2020 Apr;26(4):243-250.
Liu P et al Aging Dis. 2017 Dec; 8(6): 868–886.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/astragalus immune-system