Huang Qi (Astragalus Root): A Potent Chinese Medicinal Herb

Health Lab
Feb 20
4 min read

Updated: Apr 29

Huang Qi, or Astragalus Root (Astragali Radix), is a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with a history dating back to the Han Dynasty. First documented in the Shennong Bencao Jing as a top-grade herb, it is derived from the dried roots of Astragalus mongolicus or Astragalus membranaceus, primarily sourced from Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, and Hebei.

Known as the "holy medicine for replenishing Qi," Huang Qi is celebrated for its sweet, slightly warm nature and its ability to support the spleen and lung meridians.

Characteristics and Types

Huang Qi’s roots are cylindrical, 30–90 cm long, with a light brown surface marked by irregular wrinkles. The texture is tough yet powdery, with a yellow-white interior and a faint sweet, bean-like flavor. Two main varieties exist:

Bei Qi (Northern Astragalus): Grown in northern China, it has a solid texture, yellow-white or yellow-brown skin, and a slightly sweet taste with a bean-like aroma. It’s the preferred medicinal variety for replenishing Qi.
Nan Qi (Five-Fingered Peach): Produced in southern regions like Guangdong and Guangxi, it has thinner, gray-brown roots with a sweet, slightly bitter taste. It strengthens the spleen, clears dampness, and suits humid climates.

Red Astragalus (Jin Qi) is sometimes mistaken for Huang Qi but has a gray-red-brown, oily texture and stronger sweetness without the bean-like smell. For authenticity, seek “Northern Astragalus.”

Preparation Methods

Raw Astragalus: Unprocessed, it replenishes Qi, strengthens the body’s exterior, promotes diuresis, expels toxins, and heals ulcers. It’s ideal for Qi deficiency, fatigue, poor appetite, diarrhea, spontaneous sweating, and slow-healing wounds.
Roasted Astragalus: Honey-fried to enhance its mildness, it boosts Qi, moistens lungs, and supports digestion. It’s used for weak spleen, poor appetite, and chronic diarrhea.

Astragalus is cut into long strips (“pressed slices”), round grains, or slanted “nail-shaped slices.” Black-skinned varieties are traditionally considered more potent.

Efficacy and Indications or Astragalus Root

Huang Qi is renowned for:

Replenishing Qi: Combats fatigue, poor appetite, and sinking Qi (e.g., prolapse or chronic diarrhea).
Strengthening the Exterior: Reduces spontaneous sweating and protects against colds.
Promoting Healing: Expels pus, heals ulcers, and supports tissue regeneration.
Diuresis and Detoxification: Alleviates edema and removes toxins.

It’s used for conditions like anemia, blood deficiency, internal heat, thirst, and slow-healing carbuncles.

Modern Research and Applications

Modern studies highlight Huang Qi’s active compounds—saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and amino acids—which offer:

Immune Support: Polysaccharides boost white blood cell production, enhancing resistance to infections.
Cardiovascular Health: Reduces blood viscosity, prevents thrombosis, lowers blood pressure, and improves heart function, aiding conditions like hypertension and heart failure.
Blood Sugar Regulation: Improves insulin sensitivity, helping manage diabetes.
Anti-Tumor Potential: Polysaccharides show promise in inhibiting cancer cell growth.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Supports overall health and delays aging.

Huang Qi is used in clinical settings for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer support. Beyond medicine, it’s found in health products like Astragalus tea, masks, and oral liquids, valued for immunity, skin

Dietary Combinations of Huang Qi

Huang Qi pairs well with other herbs for enhanced effects:

With Salvia miltiorrhiza: Relieves chest pain and prevents thrombosis.
With Yam: Lowers blood sugar and heals ulcers.
With Pueraria root: Improves circulation and treats insomnia.
With Angelica dahurica: Regulates menstruation and supports red blood cell growth.
With Wolfberry: Enhances sleep, memory, and anti-aging.

Storage and Precautions

Store Huang Qi in a cool, dry place or refrigerate to prevent moisture and pests. Avoid prolonged sun exposure.

Not suitable for:

People with acne, dry mouth, thirst, mouth ulcers, or abdominal distension.
Those who stay up late or have internal heat, as it may worsen symptoms like ulcers.

Conclusion

Huang Qi is a versatile TCM herb with a rich history and modern applications. Its ability to replenish Qi, boost immunity, and support heart and metabolic health makes it a valuable remedy and daily health supplement. Whether used in medicinal formulas, teas, or dietary therapy, Huang Qi remains a trusted ally for vitality and wellness.

Chinese Name	黃芪
Chinese Pinyin	Huangqi
English Name	Mongolian Milkvetch Root Membranous Milkvetch Root
Latin Pharmaceutical Name	Astragali Radix
Category	Roots and rhizomes
Origin	The dried root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao or Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.)(Fabaceae).
Production Regions	Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Hebei.
Macroscopic Features	Straight root is cylindrical, some has branches, apex is relatively thick, 30~90cm long, 1~3.5cm diameter; externally longitudinally wrinkled, pale brownish-yellow or pale brown, with irregular longitudinal wrinkles or longitudinal grooves, hard, pliable and powdery; cortex is yellowish-white and relatively loose, xylem has chrysanthemum-like lines, bean-like flavor, slightly sweet taste. Old root center occasionally is rotten, black-brown or hollow. faint odor, slightly sweet taste, bean-like flavor when chewed.
Quality Requirements	Superior medicinal material has thick and long root, obvious ‘chrysanthemum center’, small hollow, lack of broken skin; hong qi has red and moisture skin, even root, firm texture, and powdery.
Properties	Sweet; warm.
Functions	Supplements qi, secures the exterior, promotes urination, outthrusts toxin, expels pus, closes sore, engenders flesh. Apply to deficiency of vital energy causing debilitation, anorexia and loose stools, collapse of middle-warmer energy, anal prolapse due to long term diarrhea, hemafecia, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, continuous persipiration due to superficial deficiency, persistent superficial infection, persistent ulcers, wilting due to blood deficiency, internal heat dispersion-thirst.
Processed Form	Fried huang qi: Fried huang qi slices with brans, till dark yellow, sift brans out and cool. Enhance the effect of supplementing spleen and harmonizing stomach. Processed huang qi is also called honey-processed huang qi, honey huang qi. Stir huang qi slices with honey, fry till not sticky to hands, take out and cool. Enhance supplementing qi and moistening lung.
Technical Terms	'Golden cup and silver plate’: On the cut surface of huang qi, medicinal material, the woody portion is yellow and the cortex is white, exactly like the contrast of gold and silver.