Is Beiqi the same as Astragalus?

Astragalus, also known as Huangqi, has a relatively complex composition, mainly containing various antibacterial ingredients. This medicine can treat many diseases and has the effects of promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, replenishing qi, detoxifying, and discharging pus. It can enhance the body's immune ability to a certain extent and can be used to prevent the occurrence of certain infectious diseases. It is effective in replenishing qi and blood, but some people make different distinctions between Beiqi and Huangqi. Are Beiqi and Huangqi the same?

Beiqi, also known as Huangqi, is one of the commonly used Chinese medicines. It is the root of the leguminous plants Astragalus mongolica or Astragalus membranaceus. It is mainly produced in Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Heilongjiang and other places in China. It is dug up in spring and autumn, the fibrous roots are removed, dried, sliced, and used raw or roasted with honey.

People in the south often call Astragalus "Beiqi" because it is produced in the north. The best medicinal materials are those with thick and long roots, cottony texture, floury texture when broken, yellowish-white in color, and sweet in taste. Beiqi is sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and enters the spleen and lung meridians. It has a strong qi-replenishing effect and is a commonly used product for replenishing qi and blood. In addition to its qi-replenishing effect, Beiqi has other functions. Due to its wide range of uses, it is known as "a medicine with multiple functions." Its application scope involves internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, ENT, and orthopedics, and has the following effects:

Astragalus has the effects of invigorating Qi and strengthening the exterior, astringing sweat and preventing loss of body fluids, supporting sores and promoting tissue regeneration, and promoting diuresis and reducing swelling. It is used to treat fatigue due to qi deficiency, sinking of qi in the middle, prolapse of the anus due to long-term diarrhea, bloody stool and metrorrhagia, spontaneous sweating due to superficial deficiency, carbuncles that are difficult to heal, long-term ulcers that do not heal, blood deficiency and sallow complexion, internal heat and thirst, chronic nephritis, proteinuria, diabetes, etc. Roasted Astragalus membranaceus can replenish Qi and nourish the middle, while raw Astragalus membranaceus can strengthen the exterior and support sores.

Astragalus is cylindrical, rarely branched, thicker at the top, 10-90 cm long and 1-3.5 cm in diameter. The surface is grayish yellow or light brown, with irregular longitudinal wrinkles and transverse lenticels.

After the above introduction, you can see it clearly. Beiqi and Huangqi are the same and are both very good Chinese medicinal materials. These two are the same medicinal material. In addition, Huangqi can be soaked in water and drunk, which has the effect of clearing away heat and quenching thirst. However, Astragalus is a warm food and cannot be taken frequently, no more than twice a week. It is better to drink Astragalus stewed in soup.