Excerpted from Bensky:  Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, 3rd ed.

• Powerfully tonifies the primal qi:  for extreme collapse of the qi or abandoned conditions that manifest in shallow breathing, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating, and a pulse so minute or weak that is is almost imperceptible.  this condition can occur after loss of blood, overly profuse sweating, or other problems related to severe fluid loss; in such cases, this herb can be used by itself.*
• Strengthens the Spleen and tonifies the Stomach:  for lethargy, lack of appetite, chest and abdominal distention, chronic diarrhea, and in severe cases, prolapse of the stomach, uterus, or rectum.*
• Tonifies the Lungs and augments the qi:  for wheezing, shortness of breath, and labored breathing on exertion caused by Lung qi deficiency.  There is usually also a concurrent failure of the Kidneys to grasp the qi.*
• Generates fluids and stops thirst:  for wasting and thirsting disorder, as well as cases when the qi and fluids have been injured by high fever and profuse sweating.  Its use here is based on the fact that the distribution of fluids depends on the proper functioning of qi.*
• Benefits the Heart qi and calms the spirit:  for palpitations with anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness, and restlessness due to qi and blood deficiency.*
• Miscellaneous adjunctive effect:  because it strongly tonifies the primal qi, which underlies and supports all the qi activities of the body, this her b is used in a wide variety of situations where a stronger primal qi will indirectly aid in their resolution.*