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Sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. When used in Qi-tonifying prescriptions, it should be honey-fried (Zhi Huangqi). When used in exterior-releasing or pus-expelling prescriptions, it should be used raw. Those that are plump, moist, and soft are of good quality; those that are hard, thin, and dry may cause chest fullness when consumed.

The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: It primarily treats chronic ulcers and sores with long-standing decay, expelling pus and relieving pain. It treats severe wind-related leprosy diseases, the five types of hemorrhoids, and scrofula (shu luo), tonifying deficiency and treating various ailments in children.

[Invention/Commentary] Huangqi is sweet and warm. Its qi is light and its flavor is strong, with less ascending and more descending action, belonging to "Yang within Yin." It can tonify deficiencies of all five zang organs, entering the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, and Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian. It treats wiry pulse accompanied by spontaneous sweating, drains yin fire, clears lung heat, induces sweating in cases of anhidrosis, and stops sweating in cases of hyperhidrosis. Entering the Lung, it consolidates the defensive exterior to treat spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency; entering the Spleen, it supports the expulsion of toxins from already ulcerated sores. The *Bencao Jing* first mentions treating chronic ulcers by expelling pus and relieving pain, then mentions wind-leprosy, hemorrhoids, and scrofula; these conditions use raw Huangqi to disperse heat in the Wei (Defensive) Qi. Although its nature is warm and tonifying, it can regulate blood vessels and circulate through meridians, thus avoiding stagnation. Its treatment of qi-deficiency night sweats, spontaneous sweating, and skin pain indicates it acts on the muscle-surface level. Its treatment of hemoptysis and softening/nourishing the Spleen and Stomach indicates it acts on the Middle Jiao. Its treatment of cold damage where the Chi (Cunian) pulse is absent, tonifying insufficient Kidney Yuan Qi, and infant susceptibility to wind pathogens causing fever and spontaneous sweating, all require fried Huangqi to solidify deficient Wei Qi. It is a herb for the Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao, as well as internal and external aspects, which corresponds to the "tonifying deficiency" mentioned in the *Bencao Jing*. For example, in treating smallpox/rashes, Baoyuan Tang uses it to treat Spleen-Lung deficiency heat, and Danggui Buxue Tang uses it to treat blood-deficiency fever; in both, it is a supreme medicine. Combined with Renshen (Ginseng), it tonifies Qi; combined with Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), it tonifies Blood; combined with Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala) and Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Divaricata), it transforms Spleen dampness; combined with Fangji (Stephania Tetrandra) and Fangfeng, it dispels wind-dampness; combined with Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Fuzi (Aconite Lateralis Radix Preparata), it treats continuous sweating due to Wei-deficiency and collapse of Yang, serving as the master regulator of pore opening and closing. Furthermore, Huangqi specializes in securing Wei Qi and warming/tonifying the lower origin. In Danggui Buxue Tang, why not use Rehmannia (Dihuang) type herbs, but instead use three times the amount of Huangqi compared to Danggui? The rationale is as follows: Fever caused by Yin-Blood deficiency is clearly due to Yang hyperactivity following Yin. Therefore, one must vigorously use a "Yang within Yin" herb as the sovereign drug, combined with Danggui to guide it into the Blood aspect. Naturally, this promotes Yang generation and Yin growth, causes Yin pathogens to retreat, and eliminates hyperactive heat. If pure Yin, cloying, and sticky herbs were used, they would only contribute to stagnation, and the heat would have no way to dissipate. Thus, Huangqi must be used to protect Ying (Nutritive) Qi, preventing excessive sweating that would further deplete Zheng Qi, allowing Yin to remain secure and heat to resolve spontaneously. Ancients stated: "Huangqi should not be used when there is no sweating, as it causes chest fullness." This refers to individuals with exterior excess, emaciated bodies, dark complexion, and abundant Qi in the chest. However, if a person with deficient Wei Qi contracts cold, even using exterior-releasing herbs often fails to induce sweating. One must use formulas like Huangqi Jianzhong Tang to achieve resolution through sweating. One should not adhere to vulgar views and abandon sage methods. In the Tang Dynasty, physician Xu Yinzong treated Empress Liu who suffered from stroke-like symptoms leaving her unable to speak, with a deep pulse and locked jaw. He prepared several jin of Huangqi Fengfang Decoction and placed it under the bed; the medicinal vapor filled the room like smoke, and she was able to speak after one night. This principle is best exemplified by Yupingfeng San (Jade Windscreen Powder). Although Huangqi naturally fears Fangfeng, their combination increases efficacy, demonstrating a relationship of "mutual fear and mutual assistance" (Xiangwei Xiangshi).