Astragalus, Huang Qi 黄芪

Huang Qi (TCM)
 Picture
Picture Astragalus mongholicus
Ledebour, C.F. von, Icones plantarum novarum, vol. 4 (1833)

Picture Astragalus membranaceus
(Photo by Doronenko) (Wikimedia)

 Picture Astragalus mongholicus
(Photo by Averater) (Wikimedia)
Picture Wild Astragalus Huang Qi root bundled at the Chengdu Medicine Market. (Adam, 2016)

Picture Steamed and flattened Huang Qi (Adam, 2017)

Botanical name:


Astragalus pp.:
  1. Astragalus membranaceus (syn. Astragalus propinquus)
  2. Astragalus mongholicus (syn. Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus)
Various local varieties of Astragalus are used including: A. ernesti (Yunnan, Sichuan, Tibet), A. monadelphus (Gansu, Qinghai), A. floridus and A. tongolensis (Gansu, Sichuan), A. chryopterus.
See also Astragalus et al., Srad ma སྲད་མ

Parts used:


Root
Different varieties are seen on the market, both Wild and Cultivated:
  1. Black-skinned (Hei Pi Qi [‘Black skinned Qi’), from A. membranaceus
  2. White-skinned (Bai Pi Qi [‘White-skinned Qi’]), from A. membranaceus var. mongholicus
  3. Red Astragalus (Honq Qi); from Hedysarum polybotrys (see Substitutes below)
The root on the market is available in various forms. Sections of whole root are often from wild sourced Huang Qi, and are available in bundles. The cultivated root is often steamed, pressed, and sliced as seen above. Usually the dark root-bark is left on wild sourced material while the cultivated is removed.

Temperature & Taste:


Warm, dry. Sweet

Classification:

 
N. Qi Tonic

Uses:


1. Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, Increases Qi:
-fatigue, poor appetite, diarrhea
-used where Spleen fails to manage the Blood; chronic bleeding disorders with weakness
-increases Qi and nourishes Blood; useful for conditions with Qi and Blood deficiency, or marked Blood deficiency
-Fever from Qi deficiency.
-Numbness and Paralysis associated with Qi and Blood deficiency

2. Tonifies the Lungs, Stops Cough:
-chronic Cough and Wheezing associated with Lung weakness

3. Strengthens the Surface, Stops Sweating:
-consolidates the skin to protect from Wind and Epidemic pathogens; good for those who regularly catch Cold and Flu
-Spontaneous Sweating associated with weakness
-used to promote Sweat in conditions where diaphoretics have not worked
-used simultaneously with diaphoretics for weakness in those with Cold and Flu
-Chills and Fever, Malarial Fever (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
-‘It brings about perspiration, and stops it when there is too much.’ (Ben Cao Gang Mu)

4. Raises Yang Qi:
-special function of helping raise the ‘pure Yang’
-Prolapses associated with Qi deficiency

5. Strengthens the Kidneys, Promotes Urine:
-Edema from deficiency
-‘good for treating Antepartum and Postpartum diseases’. (Ben Cao Gang Mu)

6. Resolves Masses:
-‘disperses hard masses … eliminates Scrofula, Goiters and Polyps’. (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
-an important herb in modern Cancer treatment

7. Discharges Pus, Generates Flesh:
-chronic Sores and Ulcers that don’t heal because of deficiency
-chronic carbuncles and phlegmons (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
-‘a wonderful drug for sores, for expelling pus, relieving pain, removing blood stasis’. (Zhang Yuan Su)


Dose:


Decoction: 9–15 grams (up to 30 grams or more)
Powder: 2–6 grams

Comment:


‘It is suitable for a patient who is anemic and with a plump build, and perspires profusely. For a patient who is thin and wiry, with a dark complexion, the drug will cause fullness in the chest’. (Ben Cao Gang Mu)

Preparations:
1. Dry-Fried Astragalus (Chao Huang Qi):
  Stir-fried with Bran until yellow; this makes it stronger to strengthen the Stomach.
2. Clear Prepared Astragalus (Qing Zhi Huang Qi):
  Astragalus is stir-fried as above, but is lightly sprayed with water while being fried. This tonifies without cloying.
3. Honey-fried Astragalus (Zhi Huang Qi):
  Clarified Honey is brought to boil at around 116–118˚C; a little boiling water is added to dilute the Honey, then it is poured over slices of Astragalus. The root is then stir-fried over a low temperature until golden and not sticky to touch. This is more strengthening, moistening and nourishing and is the most common method of preparation of Astragalus. It moves deeper into the Body, strengthens Qi of the Spleen and Stomach, and is also stronger to nourish the Blood. It is more moistening, therefore better for dryness and Blood deficiency.
  An older method of preparation mentioned in Ben Cao Gang Mu involves dipping slices of thew root in Honey water, then stir-frying to dry.
4. Wine-fried Astragalus (Jiu Chao Huang Qi):
  Yellow rice wine is poured over sliced Astragalus and left to soak for a while. Then it is dry-fried until yellowed and dried. This carries the Astragalus to the exterior of the Body and is more warming then unprocessed Astragalus.
5. Salt-prepared Astragalus (Yan Huang Qi):
  Soak slices of the root in salt water, then steam, then remove and dry. This has a stronger effect on the Kidneys.

Substitutes:


1. Hedysarum polybotrys (Hong Qi) is an accepted substitute. It has similar indications, but is weaker to strengthen Qi. However, it is stronger to promote Urine and is therefore preferred for Edema with Qi deficiency.
2. Gum Tragacanth is obtained from a related plant and maybe used for some indications of Huang Qi in pills and powders.

Correctives:


1. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng enhances and strengthens the effect of Astragalus on the skin.

Main Combinations:


Deficiency
1. To nourish Qi and Blood after severe Blooding or Anemia, Astragalus Huang Qi with Dang Gui (as in Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang [Dang Gui Tonify the Blood Decoction]) This formula has been studied for its effectiveness
2. Qi deficiency: Debility, Fatigue, poor appetite and Spontaneous Sweating:
i. Astragalus Huang Qi with Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Amomum Sha Ren
ii. Astragalus Huang Qi with Ginseng
iii. Chronic Fatigue, Astragalus Huang Qi, Salvia Dan Shen (this was tested in a trial and found effective)
3. Spleen Qi deficiency with Damp:
i. marked by poor appetite, heaviness, fatigue, loose stool, Astragalus Huang Qi with Atractylodes Bai Zhu and Poria Fu Ling.
ii. if there is Damp and Qi stagnation add Citrus Chen Pi, Costus Mu Xiang to the above
4. Constipation in the aged:
i. Astragalus Huang Qi with Citrus Chen Pi and Cannabis seed (Huo Ma Ren) (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
ii. Astragalus Huang Qi with Polygonum He Shou Wu, Dang Gui
iii. Astragalus Huang Qi with Dang Gui, Peach kernel (Tao Ren)
5. Bleeding due to deficiency, Astragalus Huang Qi with Notoginseng San Qi and Donkey Hide Gelatin E Jiao.
6. Insomnia and Neurasthenia from Qi and Blood deficiency, Astragalus Huang Qi with Longan fruit Long Yan Rou, Dang Gui, Ziziphus seed Suan Zao Ren (as in Gui Pi Tang [Restore the Spleen Decoction])
7. To strengthen the surface of the body to protect from invading pathogens (ie. increase immunity), Astragalus Huang Qi with Atractylodes Bai Zhu and Saposhnikoviae Fang Feng (as in Yu Ping Feng San [Jade Windscreen Powder). Used for recurring Colds, shortness of Breath, Lung weakness and Spontaneous Sweating.
8. Numbness and painful obstruction from Wind-Cold-Damp with Qi deficiency:
i. Astragalus Huang Qi with Cinnamon twig Gui Zhi.
ii. Astragalus Huang Qi, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng, Atractylodes Bai Zhi, Achyranthes Niu Xi
iii. Astragalus Huang Qi, Aconitum Fu Zi

Sweating
9. Spontaneous Sweating that’s worse at night, Astragalus Huang Qi with Oyster shell Mu Li.
10. Night sweats Astragalus Huang Qi with Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong and Schisandra Wu Wei Zi.

Urinary
11. Turbid, whitish urine, decoct Astragalus Huang Qi with Poria Fu Ling. (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
12. Chronic Kidney Disease:
i. Astragalus can be added to Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Yin Deficiency) or Shen Qi Wan (Yang deficiency)
ii. Astragalus, Rhubarb root, Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Cinnamon
13. Chronic Kidney Failure:
i. Astragalus Huang Qi with Ginseng, Cinnamon, Licorice, Rhubarb root
14. Diabetes / ‘Wasting and Thirsting Disorder’ (overlaps Diabetes):
i. Astragalus Huang Qi with Dioscorea Shan Yao and Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang.
ii. Astragalus Huang Qi with Coptis Huang Lian, Cinnamon (Rou Gui), Pueraria Ge Gen, Gynostemma Jiao Gu Lan, Fenugreek (Hu Lu Ba), Mulberry leaf (Sang Ye) (This formula has been studied for effectiveness against type II Diabetes)
iii. Diabetic Nephropathy, Astragalus Huang Qi with Notoginseng San Qi, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo

Cancer:
15. Cancer:
i. General: Astragalus Huang Qi with Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao, Black Nightshade (Long Kui)
ii. Lung: Astragalus Huang Qi with Solomans Seal (Yu Zhu), Biack Nightshade, Earthworm (Di Long), Fritillaria Chuan Bei Mu, Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao
iii. Lung: Astragalus Huang Qi, Comfrey, Licorice
iv. Ovarian: Astragalus Huang Qi with Zedoary (E Zhu), Peach kernel (Tao Ren)
16. To support during Chemotherapy: Astragalus Huang Qi, Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Poria Fu Ling, Asparagus root (Tian Men Dong), Dang Gui, Lycium Gou Qi Zi (Goji), Citrus Chen Pi, Costus Mu Xiang
-marked deficiency, add Ginseng
-Yin deficiency add Soloman’s Seal (Yu Zhu), Rehmannia Shu Di Huang
-Phlegm-Damp, add Pinellia Ban Xia, Arisamea Tian Nan Xing

Women’s Diseases:
17. Threatened Miscarriage with abdominal pain and vaginal discharge, Astragalus Huang Qi, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong cooked with glutinous rice (Ben Cao Gang Mu)
18. Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis: Astragalus Huang Qi, Cinnamon (Rou Gui), Phelladendron Huang Bai

Other
19. Heat in the muscles with restlessness and irritation, Astragalus Huang Qi, Ginseng, Licorice (Li Gao)

Major Formulas:


Bao Yuan Tang
Bu Fei Tang
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang
Dang Gui Yin Zi
Gui Pi Tang
Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang
Mu Li San
Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Tai Shan Pan Shi San
Yu Ping Feng San

Cautions:


Generally Safe.
1. Avoid large overdose.
2. Some people may be allergic
3. In TCM, it is not used for acute Sores with Heat and Toxin (red, swollen and painful).

Main Preparations used:


Honey-fried Astragalus, Dry-Fried Astragalus, Wine-Fried Astragalus
  • Extra Info
  • Research
(Last updated 9/2018)
GENERAL / REVIEW
–Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Applications of Radix Astragali.

INCREASE IMMUNITY/IMMUNOMODULATORY:
–Alcohol-soluble polysaccharide from Astragalus membranaceus: Preparation, characteristics and antitumor activity.
–Extraction of a Novel Cold-Water-Soluble Polysaccharide from Astragalus membranaceus and Its Antitumor and Immunological Activities.
–Anti-Inflammatory and Immunostimulatory Activities of Astragalosides.
–[Immunomodulatory effect of Huangqi glycoprotein on mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis].
–Selenium-dependent antitumor immunomodulating activity of polysaccharides from roots of A. membranaceus.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY:
–Anti-Inflammatory and Immunostimulatory Activities of Astragalosides.
–Astragaloside IV attenuates inflammatory reaction via activating immune function of regulatory T-cells inhibited by HMGB1 in mice.

ANTI–OXIDANT:
–Astragaloside IV protects RGC-5 cells against oxidative stress.
–The Antioxidant Effects of Radix Astragali (Astragalus membranaceus and Related Species) in Protecting Tissues from Injury and Disease.

ANTI–TUMOR:
–Alcohol-soluble polysaccharide from Astragalus membranaceus: Preparation, characteristics and antitumor activity.
–Extraction of a Novel Cold-Water-Soluble Polysaccharide from Astragalus membranaceus and Its Antitumor and Immunological Activities.

ANTI–CANCER:
BREAST:
–Extract from Astragalus membranaceus inhibit breast cancer cells proliferation via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
–SH003 suppresses breast cancer growth by accumulating p62 in autolysosomes.
–Herbal extract SH003 suppresses tumor growth and metastasis of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells by inhibiting STAT3-IL-6 signaling.
CERVICAL:
–SH003‑induced G1 phase cell cycle arrest induces apoptosis in HeLa cervical cancer cells.
COLON:
–Astragalus saponins modulates colon cancer development by regulating calpain-mediated glucose-regulated protein expression.
GASTROINTESTINAL:
–Astragalus membranaceus: A Review of its Protection Against Inflammation and Gastrointestinal Cancers.
LEUKEMIA:
–Improved Survival With Integration of Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapy in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.
LUNG
–Astragaloside IV inhibits the progression of non-small cell lung cancer through Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway.
–Astragaloside IV sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer cells to gefitinib potentially via regulation of SIRT6.
–Astragaloside IV Enhances Cisplatin Chemosensitivity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Through Inhibition of B7-H3.
–Formononetin suppresses the proliferation of human non-small cell lung cancer through induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
–Astragaloside IV inhibits progression of lung cancer by mediating immune function of Tregs and CTLs by interfering with IDO.
LIVER
–Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract inhibits hepatocarcinogenesis via modulating TGF-β/TβR and Imp7/8.
–Alcohol-soluble polysaccharide from Astragalus membranaceus: Preparation, characteristics and antitumor activity.
–Astragaloside IV inhibits cell migration and viability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via suppressing long noncoding RNA ATB.
–Astragalus polysaccharide induces the apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by decreasing the expression of Notch1.
OSTEOSARCOMA:
–Chemosensitive effects of Astragaloside IV in osteosarcoma cells via induction of apoptosis and regulation of caspase-dependent Fas/FasL signaling.
OVARIAN:
–Formononetin, an isoflavone from Astragalus membranaceus inhibits proliferation and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells.
PROSTATE:
–SH003 induces apoptosis of DU145 prostate cancer cells by inhibiting ERK-involved pathway.

SYNERGISTIC EFFECT WITH CHEMOTHERAPY:
–Astragaloside IV enhances taxol chemosensitivity of breast cancer via caveolin-1-targeting oxidant damage.
–Astragaloside IV sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer cells to gefitinib potentially via regulation of SIRT6.
–Astragaloside IV Enhances Cisplatin Chemosensitivity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Through Inhibition of B7-H3.
–Formononetin sensitizes glioma cells to doxorubicin through preventing EMT via inhibition of histone deacetylase 5.
 AMELIORATES CHEMO SIDE EFFECTS:
–Astragalus polysaccharide suppresses doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by regulating the PI3k/Akt and p38MAPK pathways.

ANTI-ANGIOGENIC:
–SH003 represses tumor angiogenesis by blocking VEGF binding to VEGFR2.

REVERSES PRECANCEROUS LESIONS IN GASTRIC MUCOSA:
–Astragaloside IV reverses MNNG-induced precancerous lesions of gastric carcinoma in rats: Regulation on glycolysis through miRNA-34a/LDHA pathway.

DIABETES, DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS:
–[Research advances on astragaloside-IV in treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications pharmacological effects].
–Anti-diabetic effects and mechanisms of action of a Chinese herbal medicine preparation JQ-R in vitro and in diabetic KKAy mice.
–Anti-diabetic activities of traditional Chinese herbal medicine in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
–Astragaloside IV enhances diabetic wound healing involving upregulation of alternatively activated macrophages.

DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY
–Are the Therapeutic Effects of Huangqi (Astragalus membranaceus) on Diabetic Nephropathy Correlated with Its Regulation of Macrophage iNOS Activity?
–Effect of Astragalus membranaceus extract on diabetic nephropathy.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY:
–Chinese herbal drugs for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

HEALS INTESTINAL MUCOSA:
–Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge repairs intestinal mucosal injury induced by LPS in mice.
–Astragaloside II promotes intestinal epithelial repair by enhancing L-arginine uptake and activating the mTOR pathway.

CARDIO-PROTECTIVE
–Cardioprotection activity and mechanism of Astragalus polysaccharide in vivo and in vitro.

PREVENTS CARDIAC FIBROSIS:
–AstragalosideⅣ against cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting TRPM7 channel.
–Astragaloside IV inhibits isoprenaline‑induced cardiac fibrosis by targeting the reactive oxygen species/mitogen‑activated protein kinase signaling axis.

HEPATOPROTECTIVE:
–Polysaccharides from Angelica and Astragalus exert hepatoprotective effects against carbon-tetrachloride-induced intoxication in mice.

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE:
–Astragalus (a traditional Chinese medicine) for treating chronic kidney disease.

PREVENTS RENAL FIBROSIS:
–Astragalus membranaceus ameliorates renal interstitial fibrosis by inhibiting tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vivo and in vitro.

POST-STROKE FATIGUE:
–Effects of the traditional Chinese herb Astragalus membranaceus in patients with poststroke fatigue: A double-blind, randomized, controlled preliminary study.

ANTI–STRESS:
–Anti-stress effect of astragaloside IV in immobilized mice.

ANTI-AGING:
–Anti-Aging Implications of Astragalus Membranaceus (Huangqi): A Well-Known Chinese Tonic.
–Astragaloside IV controls collagen reduction in photoaging skin by improving transforming growth factor-β/Smad signaling suppression and inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-1.

IMPROVES GROWTH PERFORMANCE in chickens:
–Evaluation of the Pharmaceutical Properties and Value of Astragali Radix.

IMPROVES CHILDHOOD HEIGHT GROWTH:
–Effects of Astragalus Extract Mixture HT042 on Height Growth in Children with Mild Short Stature: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

PROMOTES SPERM
–Astragalus membranaceus augment sperm parameters in male mice associated with cAMP-responsive element modulator and activator of CREM in testis.

PROMOTES WOUND HEALING:
–Wound healing effect of an Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide and its mechanism.
Clinical Trials:
POST STROKE FATIGUE: Effects of the traditional Chinese herb Astragalus membranaceus in patients with poststroke fatigue: A double-blind, randomized, controlled preliminary study.
ALLERGIC RHINITIS: Efficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
CHRONIC FATIGUE: Myelophil, an extract mix of Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, ameliorates chronic fatigue: a randomised, double-blind, controlled pilot study.
MENOPAUSE: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effect of a Chinese herbal medicine preparation (Dang Gui Buxue Tang) on menopausal symptoms in Hong Kong Chinese women.
VIRAL MYOCARDITIS: [A study on combination therapy of Western and traditional Chinese medicine of acute viral myocarditis].