Astragalus (Huang Qi) is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine! It is often used to brew tea, providing health benefits. Many people are confused about the effects and benefits of Astragalus. This article discusses the nutritional value of Astragalus and its effects.
Nutritional Value of Astragalus
1. Mongolian Astragalus contains Astragalus polysaccharides.
2. Every 100 grams of Astragalus contains 74.00 kcal (309 kJ).
3. Astragalus contains trace elements such as potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and selenium.
4. Membranous Astragalus contains flavonoids and saponins, some of which have strong antioxidant activity.
5. Astragalus contains various nutrients including amino acids, choline, bitter principles, betaine, mucilage, sucrose, glucuronic acid, and folic acid.
Effects and Benefits of Astragalus
Astragalus has significant nutritional and health benefits. Regular use can moisturize the skin, enhance beauty, regulate Qi and blood, and soothe emotions. Astragalus is particularly effective in tonifying the defensive Qi of the body. For symptoms such as spleen Qi deficiency, leading to pale or sallow complexion, fatigue, poor appetite, and loose stools, Astragalus is an excellent remedy for tonifying spleen Qi and is often used alone in decoctions or as a syrup.
Modern medical research indicates that Astragalus enhances immune function, protects the liver, promotes diuresis, has anti-aging properties, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial effects. It can eliminate proteinuria in experimental nephritis, enhance myocardial contractility, and regulate blood sugar levels.
Benefits of Astragalus for Women
1. Liver Protection: Astragalus can eliminate proteinuria in patients with nephritis, protect the liver, and prevent a decrease in liver glycogen.
2. Treatment of Chronic Ulcers: Astragalus can dilate blood vessels, improve skin blood circulation and nutritional status, making it effective for chronic ulcers that do not heal.
3. Qi and Blood Nourishment: Honey-fried Astragalus has the effects of tonifying Qi, nourishing blood, and benefiting the middle, suitable for internal injuries, spleen deficiency diarrhea, Qi deficiency, blood deficiency, and Qi decline.
4. Qi Enhancement and Surface Protection: Raw Astragalus benefits Qi, strengthens the surface, promotes diuresis, reduces swelling, detoxifies, and promotes tissue regeneration, suitable for spontaneous sweating, night sweats, blood stasis, edema, and abscesses that do not heal.
5. Blood Pressure Reduction: Modern medicine has proven that Astragalus can reduce blood viscosity, decrease thrombus formation, lower blood pressure, protect the heart, regulate blood sugar in both directions, combat free radical damage, delay aging, resist hypoxia, combat tumors, and enhance immune function, making it useful for treating heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and more.
6. Treatment of Fatigue and Shortness of Breath: In TCM, it is believed that regularly drinking Astragalus tea can improve mental state and gradually reduce shortness of breath. Adding appropriate amounts of Fang Feng (Siler), ginger, etc., when brewing can effectively enhance immune capacity and prevent colds. If combined with appropriate amounts of Fu Xiao Mai (Elymus) and Ma Huang (Ephedra), it can effectively treat night sweats.
Precautions for Drinking Astragalus Tea
Astragalus is a natural herbal material, commonly used in methods such as brewing tea, making porridge, and cooking soup. Although Astragalus and ginseng have similar effects, their prices differ significantly, leading many families to prefer Astragalus for daily health maintenance. However, it is important to note that Astragalus should not be consumed daily, and it is not suitable for everyone. Specific precautions include:
1. Patients with kidney Yin deficiency, damp-heat, or severe heat toxin should avoid Astragalus tea, as it may worsen their condition instead of promoting recovery. Such patients should consider using Huang Lian (Coptis), Da Huang (Rhubarb), Bai Jiang Cao (Patrinia), and Zhi Zi (Gardenia) instead.
2. Patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, exhibiting symptoms such as hemoptysis, dry mouth, and fever, should also avoid using Astragalus tea alone and should combine it with appropriate TCM based on their specific condition.
3. Women during menstruation should not consume Astragalus tea, as it may adversely affect their menstrual cycle and health.
4. Patients with colds and fevers should also avoid Astragalus, as it is not conducive to reducing fever.
5. Pregnant women should exercise caution when consuming Astragalus, as it may lead to miscarriage and harm both the fetus and the mother, especially in late pregnancy. If a pregnant woman inadvertently uses Astragalus, it may reduce amniotic fluid, potentially prolonging labor and increasing risks for the fetus. Additionally, studies have shown that Astragalus may increase the rate of chromosomal abnormalities and micronuclei, which could harm the future child’s physical and intellectual development. Therefore, women who are planning to conceive or are pregnant should be cautious with Astragalus.