Application of Astragali Radix in Chronic Heart Failure Based on the Integrative Perspective of “Nutrient‑Defensive Qi‑Triple Energizer‑Heart”

Abstract

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a critical end‑stage syndrome of various cardiovascular diseases, marked by recurrent attacks, refractory systemic deficiency and unsatisfactory long‑term prognosis. Modern medicine mainly adopts symptomatic interventions, yet it is difficult to regulate and restore the deficient state induced by prolonged illness. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) delivers holistic treatment and presents remarkable advantages in relieving clinical symptoms and improving patients’ quality of life. From the integrative perspective of “Nutrient‑Defensive Qi‑Triple Energizer‑Heart”, this paper systematically summarizes the pathogenetic evolution of CHF. It proposes that dysregulation of nutrient‑defensive qi acts as the initiating trigger, Triple Energizer stagnation serves as the core pivot, and heart‑body impairment is the fundamental root of disease. Interactions among the three components contribute to the pathological progression: “disordered body‑fluid distribution‑retention of phlegm, static blood and fluid‑malnourishment of heart vessels”. Astragali Radix (Huang‑qi) interrupts this vicious pathological cycle via triple mechanisms: harmonizing nutrient qi and consolidating defensive qi to regulate body fluid and blood; ascending clear qi and promoting drainage to unblock the Triple Energizer; tonifying primordial qi to nourish heart vessels. Consequently, the therapeutic objective of reinforcing deficiency and eliminating turbidity with simultaneous intervention for root causes and manifestations can be realized. Flexible herbal compatibility is suggested in clinical practice based on syndrome differentiation.