Keywords:
Astragalus, Shennong’s Herbal Classic, Synopsis of the Golden Chamber, 52 Prescriptions for Diseases, Chrysanthemum Heart, Golden cup and silver plate， Southern Astragalus, Northern Astragalus, Red Astragalus, Dietary Therapy for All Diseases
Botany of Angelica
Among the Chinese medicine prescriptions for the prevention of Covid-19, astragalus is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used frequently. It is one of the components in the Huashibaidu Prescription for the treatment of the severe type of the new coronary pneumonia. This formula is one of three formulas and three proprietary Chinese medicines endorsed by the National Health Commission and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine as having demonstrable curative effects.
Astragalus is derived from the root of either Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongolicus (Bge.) Hsiao, or A. membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. Both are in the Fabaceae or legume family. The astragalus plant likes cool, dry climates; it tolerates cold and drought, but not heat or waterlogging. It is mainly distributed in northern China.
Originally, astragalus was wild. When over harvesting reduced resources drastically, cultivation was begun and is working well.
A few years ago, Professor Wang Wenquan, Professor Chen Hubiao and I went to investigate wild astragalus growing near Mount Wutai. There, we found much wild astragalus. Local farmers harvested and kept wild astragalus in their yards, and some people even treated it as a treasure and kept it indoors. One old man surnamed Zhang was such a man; He returned one day to find his astragalus gone, even though the front gate had been locked. It turned out that the thieves had driven a tractor through the back wall of Zhang’s house, and took all the astragalus. This robbery shows the value of astragalus. Even so, the potential reward of having this expensive material to sell is worth the trouble—and the risk– for many people.
Astragalus in the Markets
Astragalus has different commercial names depending on the place of origin. The one produced in Hunyuan County, Yanbei Region of Shanxi Province is called “Hunyuan Qi”; the one produced in Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia is called “Bu Kui Qi” or “Zhengkou Qi”.
The traditional Chinese medicine industry describes the quality of astragalus in terms of its cotton-like and wood-like properties. From the perspective of plant anatomy, “cotton”-ness refers to the amount of bast fibers, and woodiness refers to the amount of wood fibers. Wild Mongolian astragalus and astragalus cultivated in Shanxi and Inner Mongolia are of better quality because they have more “cotton”-ness (more bast fibers) and less woodiness (fewer wood fibers).
Several metaphorical terms are used to describe the macroscopic features of astragalus when dried for use in medicine. “Chrysanthemum center”(菊花心 ju hua xin) refers to radial lines seen on the fractured surface of medicinal material; these lines look very much like an open chrysanthemum flower. “Golden cup and silver plate” (金盞銀盤 jin zhan yin pan) refers to a colorful pattern seen on the cut surface of medicinal material. The inner, woody portion is yellow, like a cup, while the outer cortex is white, thus creating the contrast of gold and silver.
Medicinal Value: Supplementing Qi
Astragalus is a good medicine for tonifying Qi. According to Chinese medicine theory, astragalus can supplements Qi, strengthen the spleen, and secure the exterior. Among these functions, the ability to tonify Qi without side effects is considered its most valuable property.
Actually, there are many traditional Chinese medicines that can tonify Qi. Ginseng is one example; but ginseng focuses on replenishing vitality and quenching thirst. Astragalus is mainly used to invigorate Qi and raise yang, and it also stops sweating.
Qi-tonifying drugs that are too sweet can cause side effects such as abdominal fullness and bloating. Astragalus generally does not cause such effects; therefore, it is often used in traditional Chinese medicine, Qi-tonifying formulas, and daily meals; it is indispensable when Qi is weak.
Deng Tietao, a master of traditional Chinese medicine in Lingnan, lived for 103 years. He used astragalus efficiently while he was living. As a Honorary Doctorate at the School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, he once gave a lecture and introduced the experience of treating myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune disease marked by weakness) with astragalus. Deng’s prescription calls for a large amount of astragalus, taken over a long period of time. This is consistent with “Shen Nong’s Materia Medica”, which states that long-term use of astragalus can lighten the body, as well as slow the aging process.
Astragalus in Formulas
The book “Fifty-two Prescriptions for Diseases (Wu Shi Er Bing Fang)” unearthed from the Han Tomb in Mawangdui, Changsha, includes prescriptions that contain astragalus. Astragalus is also used in eight formulas in Zhang Zhongjing’s famous book “Jin Kui Yao Lue”.
Buzhong Yiqi Decoction is a famous formula created by Li Dongyuan, one of the four masters of the Jin and Yuan Dynasties, based on the theory of the spleen and stomach. In that formula, astragalus serves as a chief, which means it plays the main therapeutic role, cannot be omitted and is the most effective ingredient. Astragalus is used for treating diseases such as rectal prolapse and gastroptosis caused by sinking of center Qi. It can also be used for treating fever caused by Qi deficiency
Nowadays, many commonly used classic prescriptions have astragalus as the main ingredient. One of these is Dang Gui Bu Xue Decoction. This formula calls for only two herbs: Astragalus and angelica (Dang Gui) in the proportion of five parts astragalus to one part angelica. It is a famous formula which achieves the purpose of nourishing blood by nourishing Qi.
Yu Ping Feng San is another classic prescription of traditional Chinese medicine that includes astragalus. “Ping Feng” means “screen” in Chinese; the screen is a traditional object that can shield a person from the wind and partition the space. The effect of Yu Ping Feng San is to resist external wind devils (“feng”). The effect is good and as precious as jade (“yu”), so it is called Yu Ping Feng.
Astragalus as Food
While astragalus can be used for medicinal purposes, it can also be brewed in water instead of tea and it can be used in cooking soup, porridge, and daily meals.
In 2003, Professor Bian Zhaoxiang and I co-authored a book “Dietary Therapy for All Diseases”. This book is published in traditional and simplified Chinese versions. This book contains several medicinal recipes containing astragalus.
For example, for Shen Qi chicken, use 30 grams of Codonopsis pilosula (Dang Shen in Chinese; sometimes called poor man’s ginseng) and 60 grams of astragalus. Put both into a cloth bag, and put the bag into the stomach of an old hen to stew. You can add appropriate seasonings according to your personal taste. After the chicken has simmered, discard the medicine packet, and enjoy it. You can eat the chicken and drink the soup. It has good efficacy, tastes delicious, nourishes Qi and blood, and is especially suitable for patients with spleen deficiency.
Astragalus is also good for cooking porridge. Su Dongpo, a famous gourmet in history and a great poet, was seriously ill in his seventies. After recovering from the illness, he used astragalus to slowly recuperate. As evidenced by poetry, Su Dongpo wrote: “Astragalus porridge is recommended for spring dishes.”
There is a folk saying: “Drinking astragalus soup frequently can prevent diseases and protect health”. No matter whether it is an astragalus decoction or simply astragalus soaked in water, both will invigorate Qi and relieve fatigue quickly.
Take me as an example, I like long-distance running, and I participated in full marathons when I lived in Japan. In 2000, I participated in the “Trailwalker” long-distance running event in Hong Kong. This activity requires participants to traverse 100 kilometers of mountain roads in 48 hours.
I ran a whole day and night within 24 hours, which was indeed a big challenge to my physical strength and perseverance. After the run, I was really exhausted. At that time, my student Peng Yong was very thoughtful. He boiled a large pot of astragalus soup for me. After I drank it and slept, I was fully recovered the next day.
Northern Qi and Southern Qi
The Chinese name of astragalus is “Huang Qi”. In the southern part of China it is also called “Bei Qi”, which means Northern Qi. Since there is a Northern Qi, there is a Southern Qi.
Although astragalus is a tonic herb and has many fine qualities, its warm nature may cause excessive heat of the inner body. People who live in the southern part of China, especially those living in Guangdong and Hong Kong, sometimes feel that astragalus is a bit dry and too strong in its properties. Thus, their habit is to use a substitute, which is, the herb known as “Nan Qi”, or South Qi. Nan Qi’s other name, “Wu Zhi Mao Tao” tells us more about its origin. The leaves of this plant are five-lobed, like five fingers, thus the Chinese name “Wu Zhi”, which means five fingers in English; and its fruit is hairy, thus the Chinese name “Mao”, which means furry.
South Qi can be found in supermarkets and market stalls in Guangdong and Hong Kong. It is derived from the root of a small shrub of a species of fig (Ficus sp.) in the Moraceae family. It is one of the common medicinal materials in Lingnan area (southern part of China). It is used for making soup there. Pork soup with South Qi has a milky flavor. Thus, South Qi (Wu Zhi Mao Tao) is also called “five-finger milk (Wu Zhi Mao Nai)”. I once supervised a Ph.D. student to conduct research on Nan Qi.
Huang Qi and Hong Qi
While astragalus is known as “Huang Qi” in Chinese (“Huang” means yellow; “Qi” means senior/elder), there is also a medicinal herb called Hong Qi (“Hong” means red; the Qi is the same). These two might be confused by their names, but they have different appearances. The bark of Huang Qi (astragalus) is light yellowish brown to dark brown, whereas the bark of Hong Qi is reddish brown.
Hong Qi is also included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It is listed as a separate entry from Huang Qi. Both Huang Qi and Hong Qi belong to the legume family, but they are in different genera. Hong Qi is the dried root of Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.- Mazz. Both Huang Qi and Hong Qi have a strong beany flavor; the difference is that Hong Qi is a little sweeter. In TCM classic formulas, Hong Qi is seldom mentioned; however, in Taiwan, Hong Qi is popular and commonly used.
About the author：
Dr, Zhao Zhongzhen， Former deputy dean and professor of the School of Chinese Medicine of Hong Kong Baptist University, distinguished professor of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, and founding director of the Compendium of Materia Medica Research Institute.
Dr. Li Liang, Hong Kong Baptist University, 7 Baptist University Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong.
