Do you have spontaneous sweating at the slight hint of anxiety? Before confirming that you have a nervous disorder or disorder of the thyroid, you may think that it is just overactive sweat glands. Astragalus is a powerful herb used in traditional Chinese medicine that can treat spontaneous sweating effectively if the underlying causes match the specific actions of the herb. Read the following information to see if Astragalus is the herb for your condition.
Spontaneous sweating
Spontaneous sweating, or excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a common condition many people suffer. The condition includes excessive sweating of arms, legs, face, hands, feet, groin, armpits, or the entire body (rarely). The symptoms usually occur spontaneously despite normal environmental temperature or if the person experiences some form of anxiety. This can cause social embarrassment and a sense of isolation. Popular diagnosis is overactive sweat glands, as well as a possible disorder of the thyroid gland.
Traditional Chinese medicine
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), spontaneous sweating is a form of qi (pronounced “chi”) deficiency, roughly translated as “energy” deficiency. If a person has qi deficiency, he/she will experience symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, poor immunity, edema, poor healing of the skin, and especially spontaneous sweating. The underlying affected organs in relation to qi deficiency are the spleen and the lungs.
The spleen according to TCM is not the actual spleen for the lymphatic system in western medicine, but is the organ responsible for transformation of food and fluid into qi (energy). If the spleen is affected, less qi is produced and the person experience lack of energy, as well as lack of nutrition.
The lungs according to TCM are responsible for respiration, thus controls the flow of air as well as the flow of qi. If the lungs are weak, then not enough qi is circulated throughout the body. Thus, the person will experience weakness, as well as being more susceptible to colds, shortness of breath, and airborne allergies.
Qi is the energy that brings function to the organs, including the skin pores of the skin. Lack of qi will result in weakness of the skin pores. The skin pores are too weak to contract on its own, thus relax and not able to keep the fluid inside. The reasons for the organs to be affected in the beginning can be due to the person’s chronic disharmony in his/her mentality, such as over-worrying, over-working, anxiety, and/or lack of activities.
Astragalus
The full name of this herb is Radix astragalus. In Mandarin, it is called Huang Qi. Huang” means “emperor.” This herb is becoming increasingly used for its ability to increase qi, and boost the action of the immune system. Unlike the bitter taste of the mighty Ginseng, Astragalus is quite easy to take because it is pleasantly sweet. Sweet herbs are usually strengthening in Chinese medicine. Astragalus will strengthen the spleen and the lungs, thus more qi and smoother flow of qi will be the results. Most people will benefit from a boost of qi and immunity from an herb that is versatile and safe for many applications. Unless the person is already very robust, excess qi, however, will cause uneasiness as well as insomnia. Thus, Astragalus is recommended for those people with weakened conditions or signs of deficiency. The dosage can range from 5 grams to 15 grams a day, and is to be taken as a decoction. If it is hard to obtain locally, it can be mail-ordered. Better yet, get an appointment with a Chinese herbal medicine practitioner for the correct diagnosis and proper combinations with other herbs as treatment. You will pleasantly find out that spontaneous sweating is actually quite treatable.
