Use of Huang Qi (milkvetch roots) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Remove impurities and smaller roots, dry and cut into sections.
Dosage: 9 - 30 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to
regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Huang Qi may be prescribed by TCM doctors*:
Anorexia
Diarrhea
Rectal prolapse
Abnormal uterine bleeding
Albuminuria
Acute nephritis
Diabetes
Night sweats
Uterine prolapse
Edema
Contraindications*: Should not be used for case of Excess or Deficiency of Yin with Heat signs and should not be used when there is Stagnation of Qi with painful obstruction.
Common TCM formulas in which Huang Qi is used*
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, Huang Qi strongly tonifies Qi and raises the Yang Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. It also prevents further Qi loss through leakage to the outside.
Read more about Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang, Huang Qi is the principal ingredient in Chinese Medicine for stabilizing the Protective Qi in cases of Deficiency.
Read more about Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Gui Pi Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
Read more about Gui Pi Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Tong Ru Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Tong Ru Dan, Huang Qi , much like Ginseng (the other key herb here) tonifies Qi which is the ultimate source of breast milk.
Read more about Tong Ru Dan
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Tuo Li Xiao Du San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Tuo Li Xiao Du San, Huang Qi fortifies the Spleen and tonifies Qi. For this specific formula, it is added to resolve toxins in chronic cases where there is also a Deficiency. In such cases, the body's Qi is so deficient that it cannot expel toxins and bring an attack to an end.
Read more about Tuo Li Xiao Du San
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Shi Quan Da Bu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Shi Quan Da Bu Tang, Huang Qi is sweet and warm. It is considered one of the top Qi tonifying herbs in TCM. It is entirely Yang in nature and it strongly stimulates the Qi dynamic. It raises the Yang and disperses Blood and Essence throughout the entire body.
Read more about Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Ju Yuan Jian. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Ju Yuan Jian, Huang Qi strongly tonifies Qi and raises the Yang Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. It also prevents further Qi loss through leakage to the outside.
Read more about Ju Yuan Jian
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang, Huang Qi tonifies and raise Qi.
Read more about Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Bao Yuan Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
Read more about Bao Yuan Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang, Huang Qi strongly tonifies the original Qi. Its dosage is five times bigger than all the other herbs combined, which shows the clear purpose of this formula.
Read more about Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, Huang Qi is sweet and warm. It is considered one of the top Qi tonifying herbs in TCM. It is entirely Yang in nature and it strongly stimulates the Qi dynamic. It raises the Yang and disperses the Blood and Essences throughout the entire body.
Read more about Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang, Huang Qi is sweet and warming. It strongly tonifies the original Qi, helping the normal Qi to expel pathogenic Qi while firming up the skin and Exterior.
It also strengthens Cinnamon twigs' ability to augment the Qi and stimulate the protective Yang.
In combination, the two key herbs synergistically augment the Qi , warm the Yang and harmonize the Blood.
Read more about Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang, Huang Qi tonifies both the Spleen and Lung Qi to treat both the root and branch of Qi Deficiency.
Because the Lung are responsible for directing water downward into the Bladder, they play an important role in removing Dampness from the body.
Strengthening the Lung Qi will thus not only stabilize the Exterior, but also actively eliminate the pathogenic Dampness.
Read more about Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Bu Fei Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Bu Fei Tang, Huang Qi works synergistically with Ginseng to tonify the Qi and fortify the Protective Qi.
Read more about Bu Fei Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang, Huang Qi not only strongly tonifies the original Qi of the Spleen, but also secures the Exterior. It reaches directly to the Exterior skin and muscle, securing the Protective Yang and amply filling the Exterior level.
These are its specific strengths, so it is really marvelous for all disorders involving Exterior Deficiency. Turning this Qi inward will, in turn, facilitate the production of Blood, which is produced by the Qi transformations of the Middle Burner.
Furthermore, augmenting Qi also supports movement and transformation, and thereby reinforces the generation of Blood on a second level
Read more about Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Yu Ping Feng San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Yu Ping Feng San, Huang Qi is an extremely powerful in strengthening the Qi and stabilizing the Exterior. It tonifies the superficial or Exterior aspects of the Lungs and Spleen.
It enters the Lungs to tonify the Qi, and enters the Exterior to firm up the Protective Qi.
It is one of the most important Qi tonifying herbs.
Read more about Yu Ping Feng San
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang 1. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang 1, Huang Qi tonifies overall Qi.
Read more about Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang 1
Huang Qi is a deputy ingredient in Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang, Huang Qi helps Ginseng tonify the Qi.
Read more about Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Huang Qi is a deputy ingredient in Mu Li San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Mu Li San, Huang Qi strongly tonifies the Lung Qi and is of particular benefit to the superficial Protective Qi. It strengthens the Protective Qi and stabilizes the Exterior by stopping sweating.
The combination of the key and deputy herbs, one of which benefits the Nutritive level and the other the Protective level, is especially effective in treating this condition.
The deputy is also very helpful in treating the symptoms associated with Qi Deficiency, including shortness of breath and general debility.
Read more about Mu Li San
Huang Qi is a deputy ingredient in Gu Chong Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Gu Chong Tang, Huang Qi strengthens the Spleen Qi.
The combination of Atractylodes rhizome and Milkvetch root is particularly effective in helping the Spleen govern the Blood and stabilize the Penetrating Vessel, especially with the rather large dosage used in this formula.
Read more about Gu Chong Tang
Huang Qi is an assistant ingredient in Shen Qi Si Wu Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Shen Qi Si Wu Tang, Huang Qi tonifies Qi.
Read more about Shen Qi Si Wu Tang
Huang Qi is an assistant ingredient in Wu Tou Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Wu Tou Tang, Huang Qi strengthens the original Qi by tonifying it. It helps the Ephedra and in releasing the Exterior.
Read more about Wu Tou Tang
Huang Qi is an assistant ingredient in Da Fang Feng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Da Fang Feng Tang, Huang Qi tonifies the Spleen so as to support the generating of the Blood and Qi. It is also one of the four ingredients of the formula Si Jun Zi Tang that is commonly used for Qi and Blood tonifying.
Read more about Da Fang Feng Tang
Huang Qi is an assistant ingredient in Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin, Huang Qi augments the Qi and strengthens the body's transformative potential.
Read more about Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin
Huang Qi is an assistant ingredient in Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang, Huang Qi augments the Qi and stabilize the Exterior. This prevents excessive sweating from causing further injury to the Yin and Yang.
It also protects the Stomach Qi from the actions of the other herbs. When combined with Dong Quai and Prepared rehmannia, it is a powerful herb in nourishing the Qi and Blood. When the Qi and Blood flourish, the Interstices and pores tighten, and it is more difficult for sweat to improperly escape.
Read more about Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang
Key TCM concepts behind Huang Qi's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Huang Qi belongs to the 'Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency' category. Tonic herbs are used for patterns of Deficiency, when one lacks one of the 'Four Treasures' (Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang). Qi tonics are typically sweet and they tend to enter the Spleen and Lungs because these Organs are most involved with the production of Qi.
Furthermore Huang Qi is Warm in nature. This means that Huang Qi tends to help people who have too much 'Cold' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Cold in their body are said to either have a Yin Excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang Deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition Huang Qi can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Huang Qi also tastes Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sweet ingredients like Huang Qi tends to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Huang Qi is thought to target the Lung and the Spleen. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body. The Spleen on the other hand assists with digestion, Blood coagulation and Fluids metabolism in the body.
Research on Huang Qi
Milkvetch root can improve the immune function of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.1
An extract of A. propinquus called TA-65 may activate telomerase, extending the lengths of the shortest telomeres which protect the terminal DNA at the ends of all chromosomes.2
Huanglan Granule (containing milkvetch root) has obvious inhibitory effect on rubella virus, both in vitro and in vivo, it can also raise the immunity of organism.3
Calycosin (the major bioactive chemical in the dry root extract of Radix astragali) exhibits promising effects for the treatment of tumors, inflammation, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases.4
The polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids of Radix astragali, and the whole extract of Radix astragali have been widely reported with their anticancer effects in preclinical studies and showed a potential application as a adjunctive cancer therapeutics with the activities of immunomodulation, anti-proliferation and attenuation of adverse effects induced by cytotoxic therapy.5
Radix Astragali could significantly relieve the clinical symptoms such as hidrosis and palpitation, regulate the immune function of Graves disease patients, playing an important role in the adjuvant therapy for Graves disease.6
Sources:
1. Jiang D, Wang X, Su Q, Jiang S, Yuan F, Zhang C, Gong F, Dong Q, Shi J, Chen B. (2015). Milkvetch root improves immune function in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. Biomed Mater Eng. , 26 Suppl 1:S2113-21. doi: 10.3233/BME-151517.
2. Harley, C. B.; Liu, W.; Blasco, M.; Vera, E.; Andrews, W. H.; Briggs, L. A.; Raffaele, J. M. (2011). "A Natural Product Telomerase Activator As Part of a Health Maintenance Program". Rejuvenation Research. 14 (1): 45–56. doi:10.1089/rej.2010.1085.
3. He Y, Hao XP, Yang D. (2008). Clinical and experimental study on effects of huanglan granule in inhibiting rubella virus]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. , 28(4):322-5./small>
4. Gao J, Liu ZJ, Chen T, Zhao D. (2014 ). Pharmaceutical properties of calycosin, the major bioactive isoflavonoid in the dry root extract of Radix astragali. Pharm Biol. , 52(9):1217-22. doi: 10.3109/13880209.2013.879188.
5. Jung Y, Jerng U, Lee S. (2016). A systematic review of anticancer effects of radix astragali. Chin J Integr Med. , 22(3):225-36. doi: 10.1007/s11655-015-2324-x.
6. Wu J, Liu DF, Chen Y. (2011). Effects of Radix Astragali on IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and antigen expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with Graves disease. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. , 31(11):1487-90.
