Astragalus root

北芪

replenishes qipromotes water metabolism補氣升陽固表止汗利水消腫氣虛易感冒、易攰者常用

The root of Astragalus membranaceus, sold as pale tongue-shaped diagonal slices with a fibrous, sweet, bean-like character. It boils down soft and gives tonic soups a mellow legume sweetness and rounded body without dominating the pot.

TCM properties

Nature · warming　Flavour · sweet　Meridians · spleen、lung

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy it is the everyday qi-lifting root, traditionally paired with codonopsis, red dates or dang gui to raise energy, firm the body's surface against sweating, and ease water retention.

Cautions — read first

Not while you have a cold or a fever
Take care with yin deficiency and rising fire, with full heat, and with uncontrolled high blood pressure
Do not boil it with radish

Preparation

Soak and rinse the dried slices.

Origin · Geo-authentic (道地) source

山西渾源／內蒙古（正北芪），今以甘肅隴西為大宗 — AU herbal shops sell bulk root slices (Wellsoon 600g bags)

Availability in Australia

Herbal shops / specialists · A$6–6.5 / 100g
Wellsoon 600g bulk bags: small root slice $35.99, large root slice $38.99

Pairs well with

Codonopsis root Red jujube date Chinese angelica root Dried Chinese yam Goji berry / wolfberry

Soups that use this ingredient · 3

Double-boiled lean pork with codonopsis and astragalusNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

黨參北芪燉瘦肉

replenishes qistrengthens the spleenmoistens the lungs3h slow fireAll yearAutumnWinter

百子櫃Codonopsis root· 25 g百子櫃Astragalus root· 20 g百子櫃Dried Chinese yam· 6 to 8 slices百子櫃Euryale seed / foxnut· 2 tablespoons百子櫃Candied honey date· 2街市Lean pork· 200 g

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Ten-treasure tonic chicken soupNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

十全大補雞湯

replenishes qinourishes blooddispels coldWinter

百子櫃Codonopsis root· to taste百子櫃White atractylodes rhizome· 12 g百子櫃Poria· 12 g百子櫃Honey-fried licorice root· 6 g百子櫃Chinese angelica root· 9 g百子櫃Sichuan lovage rhizome· 6 g… +6

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Codonopsis and astragalus qi-tonic soup with lean porkA$11–15

黨參北芪紅棗瘦肉湯

replenishes qistrengthens the spleennourishes bloodWinterAll year

百子櫃Codonopsis root· 40 g (1 tael)百子櫃Astragalus root· 20 g百子櫃Dried Chinese yam· 40 g (1 tael)百子櫃Red jujube date· 8百子櫃Dried longan flesh· 12 g街市Lean pork· 300 g

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”