Click on “Mai Mai Health” to followfor disease inquiries, health guidance, classic wellness tips, and self-care.We have interacted with various levels of TCM practitioners and found that, apart from avoiding expensive supplements, they often use homemade tinctures, soups, teas, and topical applications…These are not medications, they are affordable yet effective, and accessible to everyone.Today, we share—Huang Qi and Hawthorn Drink!We hope this can assist you as you embark on a year of wellness.Huang Qi and Hawthorn Drink Recipe“For 10 years, a cup a day has improved my immunity; my body is no longer weak.”Director Xia, with 30 years of medical experience, has gone through many hardships and has deep insights. During the first 20 years of his practice, he often worked night shifts and relied on snacks like biscuits and cakes, leading to physical exhaustion. In the past 10 years of outpatient practice, he sometimes got so busy that he didn’t drink water for an entire morning. Mental fatigue, lack of exercise, and overwork led to physical weakness. He was once hospitalized for cervical vertigo. However, 30 years of clinical practice has given him a deeper understanding and research into the progression and treatment of chronic diseases.Treating diseases is important, but good maintenance is even more crucial. Based on his own experience, he recommends this simple yet effective herbal tea: Huang Qi and Hawthorn Drink.Ingredients: 20g Huang Qi (Astragalus), 10g Shan Zha (Hawthorn).After rinsing with cold boiled water, place in a thermos and brew with 400ml of boiling water. It can be consumed after half an hour. After finishing, boiling water can be added again for a second brew.Huang Qi: More than Just Qi SupplementationHuang Qi, a star in traditional Chinese medicine, is referred to by Li Shizhen as the “top herb for Qi supplementation.”TCM teaches: “Human life is sustained by Qi; among all forms, nothing is more fundamental than Yuan Qi.”When Yuan Qi is sufficient, the physiological functions of the organs can operate normally; when Yuan Qi is deficient, various diseases can easily arise, leading to numerous ailments.Unlike Ren Shen (Ginseng), which provides a strong boost to Yuan Qi, Huang Qi offers a gentle and steady support, preventing issues like nosebleeds from excessive supplementation. Thus, Huang Qi has always been a treasure in the cups of the people.

However, the benefits of Huang Qi go beyond just Qi supplementation~Huang Qi has a sweet taste and a slightly warm nature, and it regulates the lungs, spleen, liver, and kidneys. While many believe Huang Qi’s primary function is Qi supplementation, it has many other benefits for the body!Modern medical research shows that Huang Qi is rich in sucrose, polysaccharides, various amino acids, and trace elements such as selenium, zinc, and copper, which can enhance immune function, improve myocardial blood supply, and regulate blood sugar levels. Those who are weak and fatigued can use it to replenish their bodies and enhance their constitution. Scientific studies have proven that animals consuming Huang Qi water gained weight significantly faster than those that did not.Who should avoid Huang Qi, and who can use it? It is important to note that while Huang Qi is beneficial, it should not be consumed in excess, as overconsumption can lead to adverse effects. Additionally, women during menstruation, those with colds or fevers, and individuals with a tendency to develop internal heat should avoid Huang Qi, as it may exacerbate their symptoms. While Huang Qi is beneficial, it is essential to assess its suitability for oneself; blind consumption can lead to negative effects.In addition to the above groups, you can also self-test to see if Huang Qi is suitable for you~Test 1: Recall if you sweat easilyIf you sweat easily during normal activities, it indicates Qi deficiency, making Huang Qi more suitable for you.Test 2: Assess your immunityImmunity is the body’s self-defense mechanism. If you answer yes to 3 or more of the following 7 questions, it indicates low immunity, making Huang Qi suitable for you.

• Do you often feel weak and fatigued?
• Do you prefer quiet and feel reluctant to speak?
• Is your appetite low, leading to malnutrition?
• Do you catch colds more than 4 times a year?
• Do you resort to injections or medications for minor ailments?
• Do you take a long time to recover from illnesses, often experiencing relapses?
• Do you spend most of your time in a climate-controlled environment?

Test 3: Observe your tongueLook in the mirror; if your tongue coating is thin and the edges have indentations, it indicates some degree of Qi deficiency.Note: Individuals with excessive dampness may have a thick and greasy tongue coating, and using Huang Qi may obstruct Qi flow, worsening discomfort. Therefore, those with phlegm-damp constitution should avoid using Huang Qi alone.Thick tongue coatingSigns of excessive dampness: heaviness in the body, loss of appetite, abdominal distension, sticky stools, and thick greasy tongue coating.Moreover, those with Yin deficiency, heat syndromes, or Qi stagnation should also avoid Huang Qi.Shan Zha: Invigorating Blood and Resolving Stasis

Qi supplementation and prevention of cardiovascular diseases; the primary herb recommended by national-level renowned TCM practitioners is Huang Qi. So why combine it with Shan Zha?Huang Qi is the best for Qi supplementation; when the body’s Qi is sufficient, blood circulation accelerates. When combined with Shan Zha, which has blood-invigorating and stasis-resolving properties, the two together can achieve better effects in invigorating Qi and promoting blood flow!

Shan Zha is one of the traditional Chinese medicines and is also a well-known food for promoting digestion. In fact, Shan Zha also has lipid-lowering, blood pressure-lowering, cardiotonic, and anti-arrhythmic effects. It is also a good remedy for strengthening the spleen, promoting appetite, resolving food stagnation, and invigorating blood and phlegm, effective for symptoms like chest fullness, hernia, blood stasis, and amenorrhea.

We often say, “When there is flow, there is no pain; when there is pain, there is no flow.” Indeed, the Qi and blood, meridians, and blood vessels in the human body are like rivers; only when they flow smoothly can they nourish all organs and ensure normal functioning.Once blood stagnates, conditions like myocardial infarction and heart disease can arise! Blood stasis can lead to many diseases:

• Blood stasis in the brain can lead to cerebral thrombosis;
• Blood stasis in the lungs can lead to pulmonary embolism;
• Blood stasis in the heart can lead to angina and myocardial infarction;
• Blood stasis in the lower limbs can lead to venous thrombosis.

Among these, the most severe blood stasis occurs in the heart. Mild cases may present as angina, while severe cases can lead to myocardial infarction, even posing a life-threatening risk. If blood can be invigorated and stasis resolved, blood flow can be accelerated, effectively preventing cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the combination of Huang Qi and Shan Zha is an excellent pairing.

Huang Qi and Hawthorn Drink Suitable PopulationGenerally, everyone can drink it, especially suitable for those who sit for long periods, have high mental and physical exertion, are prone to colds, and have abnormal lipid metabolism, fatty liver, etc.~Precautions:1. Best taken during the day;2. Different recipes for different seasons: add 10g of fresh ginger in spring and summer, and 10g of goji berries in autumn and winter. Those who like honey can add it after brewing;3. It is best to brew in a thermos, not to boil, to allow the effective components to dissolve slowly. The key to brewing this herbal tea is to steep it well.4. Brewed herbal tea should not be stored for long to prevent bacterial growth.A tea drink with two herbs, regular consumption is more effective than medication!Recommended by national-level renowned TCM practitioners, it is worth practicing for everyone.

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