Astragalus et al., Srad ma སྲད་མ
Srad ma (Tibet)
Thermopsis barbataCurtis’s Botanical Magazine (1855)
Botanical name:
Sources of Srad ma are complex and varied:
1. Astragalus spp.
2. Oxytropis spp.
3. Hedysarum spp.
4. Thermopsis spp.
There are 9 varieties of Srad ma:
1. srad ma dkar po (srad dkar), flowers of Astragalus floridus, Oxytropis ochrantha
2. srad ma sngon po (srad sngon, rgyal ba chu ‘thub), whole plant of Astragalus pastorius
3. srad ma nag po (srad nag, na kha’i spra ba chhung), whole plant of Oxytropis subpodoloba
4. srad ma dmar po (srad dmar), whole plant of Hedysarum sikkimense
5. srad ma smug po (srad smug), whole plant of Tibetia himalaica (syn. Gueldenstaedtia himalaica)
6. srad ma ser po (srad ser), whole plant of Astragalus yunnanensis
7. Gla ba srad ma, whole plant of Thermopsis barbata
8. Dug srad, whole plant of Oxytropis ochrocephala
9. byi’u srad ma, whole plant Astragalus membranaceus
Parts used:
Whole plant (see above)
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Sweet
Uses:
1. Tonifies Qi, Strengthens the Spleen:
-abdominal pain
-Spleen disorders
2. Strengthens Defense Qi:
-clears pathogens
-recurring colds
3. Promotes Urine:
-Edema, Fluid Retention
-Swelling
Dose:
Decoction: 3–9 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams
Comment:
Five different genus supply the 9 varieties of Srad ma in Tibetan Medicine. Two of the Astragalus species are used as sources for Astragalus Huang Qi of TCM. In addition, Hedysarum spp. are used as a source in TCM of a variety of Huang Qi (called Hong Qi or Duo Xu Yan Huang Qi). In Tibetan Medicine, the whole plant is used whereas TCM uses the root. Nevertheless the indications and source plants are similar enough to be considered similar medicines. Despite this we have separated the entries because of these differences and the complex sources of Srad ma.
Substitute:
1. Above-ground parts of a local Astrgalaus spp.is used in Buryat.
2. Astragalus Huang Qi root may be used.
Main Combinations:
Major Formulas:
Cautions:
None noted