Huáng Qí (黄芪), known in English as Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), is a warm, sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify qi category. It enters the Spleen and Lung channels. Its main action: tonifies Spleen and Lung qi, raises Yang.
| Pinyin | Huáng Qí (Huang Qi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 黄芪 |
| English | Astragalus |
| Botanical name | Astragalus membranaceus |
| Category | Tonify qi |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Spleen, Lung |
| Dosage | 9–30g |
| Cautions | Excess patterns; Yin deficiency with Heat; early stage exterior patterns |
Actions
- Tonifies Spleen and Lung qi, raises Yang
- Stabilises exterior, stops sweating
- Promotes urination, reduces oedema
- Promotes healing and tissue regeneration
Indications
- Spleen qi deficiency
- Spontaneous sweating from Wei qi deficiency
- Oedema
- Chronic sores that fail to heal
- Bi obstruction
How to remember Huáng Qí
Tonify qi herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Spleen, Lung and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet: like most Tonify qi herbs
- Spleen and Lung channels: from its action “Tonifies Spleen and Lung qi”
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Tonify qi herbs vary in nature
Formulas containing Huáng Qí
- Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng
- Guī Pí Tāng
- Fáng Jǐ Huáng Qí Tāng
- Wū Tóu Tāng
- Huáng Qí Jiàn Zhōng Tāng
- Shí Quán Dà Bǔ Tāng
- Rén Shēn Yǎng Yíng Tāng
- Yǎng Xīn Tāng
- Yù Píng Fēng Sǎn
- Bǔ Fèi Tāng
Other Tonify qi herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Huáng Qí?
Huáng Qí is warm and sweet.
Which channels does Huáng Qí enter?
Huáng Qí enters the Spleen and Lung channels.
What are the actions of Huáng Qí?
Tonifies Spleen and Lung qi, raises Yang; Stabilises exterior, stops sweating; Promotes urination, reduces oedema; Promotes healing and tissue regeneration.
What is Huáng Qí used for?
Spleen qi deficiency; spontaneous sweating from Wei qi deficiency; oedema; chronic sores that fail to heal; Bi obstruction.
Which formulas contain Huáng Qí?
Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng, Guī Pí Tāng, Fáng Jǐ Huáng Qí Tāng, Wū Tóu Tāng, Huáng Qí Jiàn Zhōng Tāng, Shí Quán Dà Bǔ Tāng, Rén Shēn Yǎng Yíng Tāng, Yǎng Xīn Tāng, Yù Píng Fēng Sǎn and Bǔ Fèi Tāng.
Practise Huáng Qí and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.