Huangqi is a medicinal herb that can tonify yang energy. When properly combined with other herbs, it can be widely used for various deficiency conditions and mixed deficiency-excess patterns. Huangqi has the functions of boosting qi, lifting the yang, nourishing blood, and promoting wound healing. It can be effective in treating diseases in internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, and other specialties.
Huangqi can be used in its raw form or processed form. According to the famous physician Jiao Shude, raw Huangqi tends to release the exterior, consolidate the surface, resolve pus, and promote wound healing. Processed Huangqi focuses on tonifying the middle, boosting qi, clearing the middle burner, nourishing blood, and promoting diuresis. The functions of Huangqi peel are similar to raw Huangqi, but it is particularly good at releasing the exterior and treating qi deficiency edema. When Huangqi is combined with different herbs, the dosage and functions will vary. Specifically:
1. Huangqi with Zhimu
When combined in a 1:1 ratio, it can nourish yin and clear heat, treating yin deficiency with internal heat. If combined in a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio, the focus is on replenishing qi. Adding a small amount of Zhimu can moderate the warm nature of Huangqi, ensuring replenishment without excessive dryness.
2. Huangqi with Danggui
When the ratio is 5:1, it can tonify qi and nourish blood, treating blood deficiency or qi-blood deficiency.
3. Raw Huangqi with Fangfeng
When combined in a 1:1 ratio, it can release the exterior, support upright qi, and expel pathogenic factors. When combined in a 4:1 ratio, it can tonify qi and lift yang.
4. Huangqi with high doses of Renshen
It can tonify the lungs and kidneys, and alleviate coughing. When the dosage of Huangqi is high, it can lead Renshen to release the exterior, while a high dosage of Renshen can lead Huangqi to tonify the middle.
5. Raw Huangqi with Gancao
When combined in a 6:1 ratio, as a decoction, it can tonify qi and promote urination. As a powder, it can harmonize the five organs.
6. Huangqi with Fuling
When combined in a 1:2 ratio, it is effective in treating qi deficiency edema and difficulty in urination. In this case, Huangqi should not be used in excessive amounts, as its lifting and promoting functions may affect the diuretic properties of Fuling.
7. Huangqi with Shengma
When the ratio is approximately 5:1 to 3:1, the focus is on tonifying the middle and boosting qi. When the ratio is 5:3, the lifting and promoting functions are stronger, focusing on treating deficiency in the upper burner.
8. Huangqi with Taoren, Honghua, Dangguiwei, Chishao, Chuanxiong, and Dilong
When the dosage reaches 84% of the entire formula, it can treat wind-stroke with qi deficiency and blood stasis.
Huangqi combined with Shengdihuang is a prescription from Professor Xia Xiang in Shanghai. When the tongue is red, using Huangqi with Shengdihuang in a mild and warm manner can balance the warm and dry nature of Huangqi. Shengdihuang has similar effects to hormones, while Huangqi can improve and regulate immune function. Therefore, the combination of these two herbs can play an important role in the treatment of difficult and complex diseases related to immunity, such as rheumatoid arthritis, dry syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Huangqi is warm in nature and should be avoided in cases of yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity. Shengdihuang is sweet and cold, so it should be used with caution in individuals with weak spleen and stomach. When used together, they can complement each other's strengths and weaknesses. Generally, for recurrent oral ulcers and chronic inflammations such as pyelonephritis, the dosage of Huangqi should be greater than that of Shengdihuang. For autoimmune diseases and allergic skin diseases, the dosage of Shengdihuang is usually greater than that of Huangqi. The dosage of Huangqi is 15-60g, while the dosage of Shengdihuang is 15-120g.
