Huang-Qi-Ling-Hua-San

Huang-Qi-Ling-Hua-San (HQLHS) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula specifically designed for the management of type 2 diabetes. It is composed primarily of Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi), Ganoderma lucidum (Ling Zhi), Inonotus obliquus, and Momordica charantia L., with some commercial variants including additional herbs such as Ophiopogon root, Schisandra fruit, Ligustrum fruit, Siberian Ginseng root, White Atractylodes rhizome, Dendrobium herb, Lycium fruit (Goji berry), Polygonum root (He Shou Wu), Dong Quai root (Dang Gui), Codonopsis root (Dang Shen), White Chinese Ginseng root (Bai Ji Lin Shen), Eucommia bark (Du Zhong), Citrus peel and Chinese Licorice root. The formula acts by modulating gut microbiota—particularly enriching beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Christensenella—which in turn improves glucose and lipid metabolism. Mechanistically it promotes GLP-1 secretion, increases antioxidant capacity, inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis and intestinal glucose absorption while enhancing the intestinal barrier function and reducing inflammation. Traditionally it is also used to boost qi (“vital energy”), enrich yin (“nourishing fluids”), nourish blood and strengthen spleen/kidney function[1][4][6][7][8].

Brand names

Huang Qi Ling Hua SanHuang Qi Ling Zhi SanAstragalus & Ganoderma

Other names

HQLHS黄芪灵华散