First, "raw" and "cooked" astragalus are different.
Astragalus membranaceus is sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, thin in gas and strong in flavor, and has the effects of invigorating qi, consolidating exterior, astringing sweat and promoting granulation, inducing diuresis and reducing swelling. Can be used for treating qi deficiency, asthenia, stagnation of middle qi, chronic diarrhea, proctoptosis, hematochezia, spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency, carbuncle, chronic ulcer, blood deficiency, sallow complexion, internal heat, thirst, chronic nephritis, proteinuria, diabetes, etc. Astragalus commonly seen in shops can be divided into "raw" and "cooked". The specific classification and utility are as follows:
Raw Astragalus membranaceus: it tends to promote granulation and heal sores, help poison and expel pus, and strengthen the exterior and stop sweating;
Honey-baked Astragalus membranaceus: partial qi, good qi and blood production, suitable for lung deficiency, shortness of breath, qi and blood deficiency and constipation;
Baked Astragalus membranaceus: invigorating spleen and benefiting qi without stagnation, suitable for spleen deficiency and abdominal distension, eating less loose stool;
Radix Astragali baked with wine: invigorating qi and activating qi, with strong warming effect, suitable for qi deficiency, lung cold and qi deficiency subsidence.
Second, the five "good partners" of Astragalus membranaceus
1, Radix Astragali+Ginseng:
The compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Ginseng has the efficacy of invigorating qi and tonifying deficiency, and is suitable for diseases such as weakness of five internal organs, chronic illness, shortness of breath and spontaneous sweating.
2. Radix Astragali+Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae:
Astragalus membranaceus can tonify lung and spleen, Salvia miltiorrhiza can promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, and their compatibility can play a role in invigorating qi and promoting blood circulation, which is suitable for qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.
3, astragalus+honeysuckle:
Astragalus membranaceus can cure deficiency, and honeysuckle can cure deficiency. The compatibility of the two drugs can play a role in invigorating qi and detoxifying and enhancing immunity, and is suitable for sores, ulcers and gangrene.
4. Radix Astragali+Radix Saposhnikoviae:
Astragalus has the functions of purging fire, benefiting primordial qi, preventing wind and expelling wind, and relieving exterior syndrome. It is compatible with invigorating spleen and qi, expelling wind and consolidating exterior, especially suitable for spontaneous sweating due to exterior syndrome of qi deficiency.
5, astragalus+yam:
Astragalus tonifies the spleen, and yam tonifies the spleen and nourishes yin. They are compatible, nourishing but not depressing, nourishing but not greasy, and can be used to treat ulcers.
Three, six types of people who are easily "hurt" by Astragalus.
1, yin deficiency
Yin deficiency can be manifested as fever of hands and feet, dry mouth and throat, low back pain, hot flashes and night sweats, insomnia and dreaminess, red tongue without coating, and rapid pulse. However, Astragalus membranaceus is sweet, slightly warm, and it is easy to hurt yin if it is used alone to help heat. It is suggested that Astragalus membranaceus should be combined with Polygonatum odoratum and Ophiopogon japonicus to nourish yin.
2. Hot and humid people
Dampness and heat can be manifested as bitter taste, dry mouth, irritability, red tongue, yellow greasy tongue coating and so on. Astragalus membranaceus can help heat, and damp-heat alone is easy to suppress evil. It is suggested that Astragalus membranaceus should be used in combination with Chinese herbs such as Coptidis Rhizoma and Herba Artemisiae Scopariae for clearing away heat and promoting diuresis.
3. Those with excessive toxic heat
Excessive heat toxicity can be manifested as local lumps or skin lesions, joint swelling and pain, red face and red eyes, dry mouth, high fever, short and red urine, dry stool, red tongue with yellow fur and rapid pulse. Astragalus membranaceus can help heat and suppress evil, thus aggravating the disease. It is suggested that Astragalus membranaceus should be combined with gardenia, rhubarb and other traditional Chinese medicines for clearing away heat and toxic materials.
4. People with good physique
Huangqi tonifies qi and blood, but at the same time helps heat, which will cause excessive internal heat. Therefore, people with hot constitution are prone to emotional impatience and irritability after eating, and it is recommended to avoid smearing as much as possible.
5. Women during menstruation and pregnancy
It is not suitable for women to replenish qi and produce blood during menstruation, because menstrual blood drops, and the application of astragalus can nourish blood, causing qi and blood disorder and irregular menstruation. In addition, it is not recommended for women to use Astragalus during the whole pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. The application of Astragalus membranaceus may lead to overdue pregnancy, and fetal flesh and blood grow too fast to cause dystocia.
6. Patients with hypertension and cerebral hemorrhage
The most common side effects of Astragalus membranaceus are redness, upset, sore throat, dizziness and hypertension, so it is not suitable for patients with hypertension and cerebral hemorrhage to avoid aggravation.
In a word, Astragalus membranaceus, as one of the favorites of health care, has many functions and wide applications. But it is always a Chinese herbal medicine, "it is a three-point poison", remember to use it with caution! Suggestions can be used reasonably under the guidance of professionals.