Can Astragalus and Gastrodia be taken together

When we Western doctors prescribe medicine, they often ask us to take various medicines together, because only in this way can they work quickly. The same is true for traditional Chinese medicine. It is not just one medicine, but many kinds of medicines that are combined together and then taken together. Only in this way can it be effective. When traditional Chinese medicine combines herbs, astragalus is the most common one and a popular combination. Astragalus and Gastrodia elata are taken together.

Astragalus and Gastrodia wine--originally known as "Astragalus wine"

[Medicine composition: Astragalus (without stem), Saposhnikovia (without stem), Gastrodia elata, Dioscorea paniculata, White Peony Root, Angelica sinensis (without stem), Mica Powder, Xianlingpi, Licorice, Dipsacus asper, 1 liang each, Atractylodes macrocephala, Artemisia selengensis (leaves), Aucklandia lappa (without fire), Cinnamomum cassia (without fire)

[Functions and indications: It can treat rheumatism, numbness of the body, itchy skin, spasm of tendons and veins, slurred speech, paralysis of hands and feet, and occasional numbness.

[Usage and Dosage: Take one cup warm each time, at any time, and it is best to let the aroma of wine continue.

[Preparation method: Powder the above medicine, put it in a raw silk bag, and soak it in one dou of wine for five days in spring, three days in summer, seven days in autumn, and ten days in winter.

[Source: Puji Fang, Ming Dynasty

1. Treat postpartum stroke

【Source】《Shengji Zonglu》

[Recipe] Astragalus, Sichuan pepper (fry until sweating after removing eyes and closing mouth), Atractylodes, Achyranthes bidentata (remove seedlings and file), Pueraria root 3 liang each, Saposhnikovia divaricata (remove branches) 4 liang, Chuanxiong, Licorice root (roast and file), Asarum (remove seedlings and leaves), Cornus officinalis, Aconitum (cracked and peeled), Gentiana macrophylla (remove seedlings and soil), Dried ginger (cracked), Angelica sinensis (cut and roasted), Aconitum (cracked and peeled), Ginseng 2 liang each, Duhuo (remove the reed head), Cassia bark (remove the rough skin).

[Preparation method] Grind the above 18 ingredients into pieces as big as mace beans, put them in a raw silk bag, and soak them in 4 dou of fine wine for three days.

[Indications] Postpartum stroke, hemiplegia, slurred speech, pain and weakness.

[Usage] Take one cup warm at any time.

2. Treat hemiplegia

[Source] "Qianjin Yifang"

[Recipe] 3 liang each of Astragalus, Angelica dahurica, Cornus officinalis, cinnamon bark, Sichuan pepper (remove the ones with eyes and mouth closed to induce sweating), Atractylodes macrocephala, Achyranthes bidentata, Pueraria root, Saposhnikovia divaricata, Chuanxiong, Asarum, Aconitum (peeled), and Licorice (roasted), 1 liang of Rhubarb, 2.5 liang of dried ginger, 2 liang each of Gentiana macrophylla, Angelica sinensis, and Aconitum (peeled).

[Preparation] Cut the above 18 ingredients into small pieces and soak them in three dou of wine for ten days. If the patient is very weak, add 2 liang of Cistanche deserticola, 2 liang of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, and 2 liang of Dendrobium; if the patient is very forgetful, add 2 liang of Acorus calamus and 2 liang of Amethyst; if the patient is suffering from water retention, add 2 liang of Poria cocos, 2 liang of Ginseng, and 3 liang of Dioscorea zingiberensis. After the wine is finished, soak the residue with another three dou of wine. Otherwise, you can dry it out quickly and make it into powder.

[Indications] Strong wind, cold, dryness, hemiplegia, swollen feet and all kinds of diseases.

[Usage] Take one dose three times a day, gradually increase to five doses, twice at night, without any contraindications. Powder and take with wine, one teaspoon each, three times a day.