北芪又称为黄芪、绵芪，南方人常称该药为“北芪”，这是因为黄芪产于北方的缘故。其药材以根粗长、质绵、折断面粉性及黄白色、味甜者为优。
北芪味甘，性微温，入脾、肺经。它的补气作用较强，是常用的补益气血之佳品。北芪除了具有补气作用外，还有其它功用，因其广泛的用途而被誉为“一药多能”。其应用范围涉及到内、外、妇、儿、五官、骨伤科，具有以下五大功效
Beiqi is also called Astragalus and Mianqi. Southerners often call this medicine "Beiqi" because Astragalus is produced in the north. The best medicinal materials are those with thick and long roots, soft texture, broken flour, yellow-white color, and sweet taste.
Beiqi is sweet, slightly warm in nature, enters the spleen and lung meridians. It has a strong qi-replenishing effect, and is a commonly used product for nourishing qi and blood. In addition to its qi-replenishing effect, Astragalus has other functions. Because of its wide range of uses, it is known as "one medicine with multiple functions". Its scope of application involves internal medicine, external medicine, women, children, five sense organs, orthopedics and traumatology, with the following five functions
