Astralagus is commonly known as bei qi or huang qi in Singapore. There are many varieties of it and it’s readily available in Chinese medical shops and even supermarkets. Most housewives who put it into their soups have no idea what the herb does, even though astralagus has already taken the world by storm. Many Westerners are taking it and ironically, they often have much more knowledge about the herb than their Asian counterparts.
So what does bei qi actually do to you? For healthy individuals not requiring tonics, it will have absolutely no effect. In TCM terms, bei qi tonifies spleen qi and lung qi, boosts vitality, improves digestion and the immune system. The last benefit probably has more to do with Western medical than TCM concepts. Research in Western medicine also supports the claim that bei qi lowers blood pressure.
Bei qi does have a blood thinning action that may impair blood clotting. This could lead to bleeding problems. The American Cancer Society advises against taking astragalus if you are taking blood thinners or aspirin. If you’re having surgery, it may be best to stop taking astragalus and let your doctor know you have been taking it.
So far, we have yet to encounter any bleeding problems after surgery from patients who are on astralagus. It would be good to learn from your TCM practitioner the contents of the herbs you are taking. If self-medicating, there is even less excuse not to know what you are taking and what it can do for you.
