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It is generated by inheriting the Yang Qi of Heaven and the Chong Qi (Surging Qi) of Earth; therefore, its taste is sweet, nature is slightly warm, and it is non-toxic. Its aroma is denser than its taste, its action can ascend and descend, belonging to Yang, and it enters the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Channel and Hand-Taiyin Lung Channel. Sweet is the true flavor of Earth, thus it can detoxify; Yang can reach the exterior, thus it can transport toxins to the exterior for expulsion. Sweet can benefit blood; Spleen governs muscles and flesh, and [Huangqi] treats chronic ulcerative sores by discharging pus and relieving pain. The soft, tender, and light-colored varieties are preferred. Raw use expels pus and pushes out toxins from the surface; honey-fried use regulates and tonifies deficiency.

Huangqi (Astragali Radix), when raw, treats carbuncles and ulcers; when fried with honey, it tonifies deficiency. It is indicated for Five Exhaustions and Seven Injuries, Qi consumption, and Blood deficiency; it benefits Yuan Yang (Primal Yang), drains Yin Fire, warms the flesh layer, fills the skin, consolidates Cou Li (pores and interstitial spaces), secures against nocturnal sweating and spontaneous sweating, discharges pus, pushes out toxins, and relieves pain. It promotes flesh regeneration and muscle growth, acting externally on the skin and hair follicles, and internally tonifying the Spleen and Stomach. Its function specializes in solidifying the Exterior. Its property fears Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix); when combined with Fangfeng, its efficacy increases significantly, as they mutually restrain and mutually enhance each other. However, it is contraindicated in cases of Excess Yang and Yin Deficiency with severe Upper Jiao Heat; in cases of Lower Jiao Deficiency-Cold where patients are prone to anger; and in cases of Disharmonious Liver Qi or a Surging Lung Pulse.

Main Indications (Integrating Smallpox and Rash): Specifically benefits Lung Qi, tonifies and pushes out pus, solidifies Cou Li, tonifies Qi deficiency, and effectively treats Spleen-Stomach Weakness, obstruction of collateral vessels in sores, failure of Yin Toxins to rise, diarrhea, thirst, abdominal pain, and deficiency-type sweating. It is suitable for use during the pustule-filling stage of smallpox/rash. However, it is strictly contraindicated in Blood-Heat rash conditions presenting with red-purple macules/papules externally, in cases of Lung Heat with sore throat, cough, and wheezing, and in cases of Blood stasis or Blood exhaustion where the rash color is dry, withered, and lacks moisture. After the pustules are sufficiently filled, excessive dosage should be avoided, lest severe swelling occur, making crusting difficult. Over-tonification may generate carbuncles and toxins. Both Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Huangqi are agents that tonify Qi and assist Fire. They are most suitable for rashes that are white and depressed. If used lightly in cases where the rash is red, purple, and robust, it will cause the Blood to become hotter and the Toxin more intense, turning the red-purple color into black and withered, resulting in an incurable condition.

Commentary: Huangqi is a crucial herb for tonifying the Exterior. Since the Lung governs the skin and hair, and the Spleen governs the muscles and flesh, it enters these two channels. When combined with Fangfeng, its efficacy increases because it assists in reaching the Exterior level. It should not be used when pathogenic factors are strong and substantial.