Root of Membranous Milkvetch

Chinese
黄芪
Pinyin
Huang Qi
Latin
Radix Astragali

TCM Properties

Taste
sweet
Temperature
warm
Channels
Spleen, Lung

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Tonifies Qi and strengthens Yang
  • Consolidates the exterior and stops sweating
  • Promotes urination and reduces edema
  • Supports tissue regeneration and expels pus
  • Tonifies Qi to generate Blood

Secondary Actions

  • Unblocks stagnation due to Qi deficiency

Classic Formulas

  • Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang — tonifies central Qi and raises Yang for prolapse, chronic fatigue, and sinking Qi
  • Yu Ping Feng San — consolidates the exterior to prevent recurrent colds and spontaneous sweating
  • Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang — tonifies Qi to generate Blood for Blood deficiency with low-grade fever

Classical References

  • Ben Cao Gang Mu (Li Shizhen): 'Huang Qi is the chief among tonifying herbs' due to its yellow color and supreme status in supplementation

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Astragaloside IV
  • Astragalus polysaccharides (APS)
  • Cycloastragenol
  • Formononetin
  • Calycosin

Studied Effects

  • Astragaloside IV demonstrates therapeutic potential for viral and bacterial infections, inflammation, and cancer (PMID 32089240)
  • Polysaccharides, flavonoids, and triterpene saponins exhibit multiple pharmacological activities (PMID 37446680)
  • Synergistic effects with Radix Paeoniae Rubra in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis via network pharmacology targets (PMID 37666859)

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Excess heat conditions or active infections
  • Yin deficiency with vigorous Fire
  • Early-stage acute exterior conditions
  • Autoimmune diseases (immune-stimulating properties may exacerbate symptoms)
  • Organ transplant recipients on immunosuppressant therapy

Cautions

  • Transient side effects include fatigue, headache, and low blood pressure
  • Use cautiously in hormone-sensitive conditions due to estrogenic preclinical activity
  • Use cautiously with bleeding disorders

Drug Interactions

  • Immunosuppressants (e.g., tacrolimus) — Antagonizes immunosuppressant effects; case report documented approximately 50% reduction in tacrolimus blood concentration (High) Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering
  • Anticoagulants and blood thinners (e.g., warfarin) — Exhibits anticoagulant properties; may increase bleeding risk (Moderate) Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering
  • Antihypertensive medications — Lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure; may produce additive hypotensive effect (Unknown) Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering
  • Diuretics — Demonstrates natriuretic effects; may potentiate diuretic action (Unknown) Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering
  • Hormonal therapies — Estrogenic properties (preclinical) may interfere with hormone-based treatments (Unknown) Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering
  • P-glycoprotein substrates (e.g., doxorubicin, etoposide, vincristine) — Astragalus polysaccharides inhibit P-glycoprotein efflux pump, potentially increasing cytotoxicity of co-administered drugs (Unknown) Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering
  • Gemcitabine — Astragalus pretreatment affects gemcitabine pharmacokinetics (murine model data only; clinical relevance unknown) (Unknown) Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering

Conditions