The difference between American ginseng and Astragalus

Western ginseng and astragalus are two common herbs, both have good preventive health effects and are good supplements, since they are both qi tonic and have certain similarities in appearance, what is the difference between western ginseng and astragalus?

Differences in appearance

American ginseng: the main root is round or fusiform, with light yellow or yellow-white surface, oily color, fine skin texture, full and firm texture, clean cut surface, showing clear chrysanthemum texture. Astragalus: Astragalus is irregularly cylindrical in shape, the cylinder is thick and thin length are different and the cylinder will have more folds will have dark brown spots erect, the head has many branches, there are fine ribs, with white pilose.

Different nature and taste

Western ginseng: Western cool taste sweet, slightly bitter, mainly has the effect of nourishing Yin, clearing heat and generating fluid. Astragalus: Astragalus is slightly warm, sweet in taste, has the effect of diuretic and swelling, tonifying deficiency and protecting liver, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.

Different tonic effects

Western ginseng: Western ginseng enters the three jiao, nourishes the vital energy and has a strong tonic power, but the power of ascending and floating is weak. Astragalus: Astragalus goes to the Wei branch, realizes the surface qi, with relatively weak tonic power and relatively strong ascending and floating power.

For different people

Astragalus: Astragalus enters the lung and spleen meridians and can tonify the spleen qi. It is suitable for people who suffer from weakness of qi, loose stools, edema and urination due to spleen deficiency and inability to transport water and dampness, and blood in stool and leakage due to spleen qi deficiency. American ginseng: American ginseng is bitter, slightly sweet, cool in nature and not easily inflamed. It is suitable for people with yin deficiency, internal heat, cough, asthma, phlegm and blood, coughing, heat, irritability, dry mouth and dry throat to drink American ginseng to benefit the qi and nourish the yin, and to generate fluid to quench thirst.

Which is better, American ginseng or Astragalus?

Although both American ginseng and Astragalus are effective in nourishing qi, their tonic effects are very different. American ginseng is anti-diuretic, mainly for the nourishment of people with heat, while Astragalus is slightly warm, has the effect of decongesting and diuretic, both should have their own benefits in terms of their suitable symptoms.

Can you eat Radix Astragali and Radix et Rhizoma together?

They can be eaten together. Although there are differences in efficacy between the two, they can be eaten together. Astragalus has the ability to enhance the immune function of the body, protect the liver, diuretic, anti-aging, anti-stress, antihypertensive and a wide range of antibacterial effects. The two can be consumed together to improve the skin's ability to absorb oxygen and improve skin beauty.