Introduction: Astragalus, a precious medicinal material with a history of over 2000 years, holds a significant position in the history of Chinese medicine and is beloved by medical practitioners and the public through the ages.
Its medicinal value has been detailed since the “Shennong Bencao Jing,” previously known as “黄耆,” which carries rich cultural connotations behind its name.
According to Li Shizhen, a medical scientist from the Ming Dynasty, in his “Compendium of Materia Medica,” “耆 means long, and yellow astragalus is yellow in color, known as a long-lasting supplement, hence the name.” This not only explains the special status of astragalus in supplements but also reveals the connection between its color and name.
Astragalus can be used fresh or after honey-roasting, with different processing methods giving it different medicinal effects. Among them, astragalus produced in Mianshan in Shanxi Province stands out for its superior quality due to its unique geographical environment and climate conditions, known as the “Mian Astragalus,” ranking as an outstanding Chinese medicinal material.
In daily life, the consumption of astragalus water has become a habit. Many people enjoy brewing a cup of astragalus water during leisure time to savor its unique fragrance and taste.
However, when asked about the specific efficacy of astragalus water, many people can only mention the basic effect of “invigorating qi.” Some even blindly follow the trend of drinking astragalus water without truly understanding its medicinal value.
What are the nutritional components of astragalus?
Astragalus, an ancient Chinese medicinal material, is highly praised for its unique medicinal value and rich nutritional content.
The content of polysaccharides in astragalus is quite substantial. These polysaccharides are the core of the medicinal value of astragalus, not only possessing immune-regulating functions but also anti-tumor and antioxidant properties, aiding the body in resisting various diseases. Every 100 grams of astragalus contains enough polysaccharides to meet the body’s needs for these beneficial components.
Furthermore, astragalus is also rich in amino acids. Various essential amino acids for the human body can be found in astragalus, such as lysine, tryptophan, and valine. These amino acids play an important role in promoting protein synthesis, enhancing physical strength, and improving immune function. The amount of amino acids in 100 grams of astragalus is sufficient to meet the body’s daily needs.
Additionally, astragalus is a good source of vitamins and minerals. It is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, which help protect cells from free radical damage, delaying aging. At the same time, every 100 grams of astragalus also contain a certain amount of minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, which are crucial for maintaining normal physiological functions in the body.
If men persist in drinking astragalus water, after a month, 4 changes may occur spontaneously.
1. Enhanced physical strength and endurance
Astragalus, as an ancient Chinese medicinal material, is widely acclaimed for its remarkable effects in invigorating qi and enhancing physical strength. For male friends facing heavy work pressure, daily life trifles, and high-intensity physical activities, the strength and endurance directly affect their quality of life and work efficiency. Astragalus has the function of invigorating qi, regulating the body’s qi and blood, making the qi and blood abundant and flowing smoothly. For men, this means their bodies are fully nourished and replenished, naturally leading to a significant increase in physical strength when you persist in drinking astragalus water every day for a month, you will find that your physical strength has significantly increased as if there is a continuous flow of energy within you.
Apart from enhancing physical strength, astragalus can also significantly increase endurance. Endurance refers to the ability of the human body to sustain a certain activity for a long period. For men, the strength of endurance is crucial in both work, requiring high concentration and energy for a long time, and life, needing to cope with high-intensity physical activities. The effective ingredients in astragalus can regulate the body’s metabolism, improve the body’s resistance to fatigue, allowing you to maintain lasting endurance when facing various challenges.2. Improvement in sleep quality
In today’s high-paced society, many men often suffer from poor sleep quality. Long-term sleep deprivation, frequent dreams, frequent nocturnal awakenings, and other indications of poor sleep quality not only deprive them of precious rest time but also have significant impacts on physical health. Prolonged lack of sleep can lead to a decline in immune system function, memory loss, exacerbation of emotional fluctuations, and even affect work efficiency and interpersonal relationships.
Faced with such challenges, many people start looking for effective ways to improve. Astragalus, a treasure in traditional Chinese medicine, has been gaining attention for its unique calming and sleep-improving effects. The diverse nutrients in astragalus, including polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, can regulate the body’s nervous system, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety, thereby improving sleep quality.
After persisting in drinking astragalus water for a month, you may be pleasantly surprised to find a significant improvement in sleep quality. At night, you no longer toss and turn but easily enter a deep sleep state. During sleep, your brain and body receive sufficient rest and recovery, and when you wake up, you will feel refreshed, full of vitality. This change will not only give you better energy and state to face daily work and life but also have positive effects on your physical health.
3. Boosting immune function
Immunity, as the guardian of human health, builds an impregnable barrier, resisting invasion by external viruses and bacteria. However, in modern society, male friends often feel physically and mentally exhausted due to reasons such as high work pressure, fast pace of life, etc., leading to a decline in immunity, making them more susceptible to illnesses.
Astragalus, an ancient and miraculous Chinese medicinal herb, with its effects of invigorating qi, strengthening the immune system, has become an indispensable assistant for male friends to enhance their physical health. The active ingredients in astragalus, such as polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, can regulate the body’s immune system, enhance the body’s resistance, helping the body better withstand external viruses and bacterial invasions.
Additionally, astragalus water also has antioxidant and anti-aging properties. It can help clear free radicals in the body, reduce the damage of oxidative stress to cells, thus delaying the body’s aging process. By persisting in drinking astragalus water, you will find your skin more firm and elastic, and your mental state more vibrant.
4. Promoting the health of the digestive system
The health of the digestive system is undoubtedly the cornerstone of human health, involving nutrient absorption, energy supply, and overall body operation. However, in modern life, male friends often tend to neglect the maintenance of the digestive system due to busy work, irregular diet, frequent socializing, etc., leading to a variety of digestive system problems.
Facing such challenges, astragalus, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, exhibits its unique charm. Astragalus is not only known as the “holy medicine for bolstering qi” but also highly praised for its spleen invigorating and digestion-promoting effects. The various nutrients in astragalus, such as polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, can regulate the function of the spleen and stomach, enhance the digestive capacity of the spleen and stomach, thereby improving the overall health of the digestive system.
Imagine, if you persist in drinking astragalus water every day, after a month, you may be pleasantly surprised to find a significant improvement in your digestive system. Firstly, you would notice an increase in appetite, no longer experiencing loss of appetite or lack of interest in food. This is because astragalus can stimulate the secretion of gastric juice, increase gastrointestinal peristalsis, promote food digestion and absorption.
Is it recommended to drink astragalus water every day? Doctors tell you
Astragalus does indeed offer many benefits. It can invigorate qi and consolidate the exterior, enhance the body’s immunity, and have significant therapeutic effects on symptoms such as qi deficiency and fatigue, and downward qi descent. However, this does not mean that astragalus can be consumed casually, or even daily.
Everyone’s physical condition is different; some people may be suitable for long-term consumption of astragalus, while others may not be. For example, individuals who are robust and do not have symptoms of qi deficiency, if they drink astragalus water every day, may experience discomfort, such as internal heat, dry mouth, and other symptoms. Furthermore, astragalus is warm in nature; if there is heat evil in the body, or if the person has yin deficiency and excessive fire, drinking astragalus water every day may exacerbate the symptoms.
Therefore, doctors recommend deciding to drink astragalus water based on one’s body condition and needs. If the body needs qi supplementation, astragalus can be consumed in moderation but does not have to be consumed daily. Also, be attentive to the body’s reactions; if discomfort arises, stop drinking immediately.
Special reminder: 5 types of people who should not drink astragalus water, it is advisable to know them.
1. Pregnant women and lactating mothers
As astragalus has the characteristic of tonifying qi and lifting yang, excessive consumption may have adverse effects on the fetus or infant, thus pregnant women and lactating mothers are advised to consult a professional doctor before drinking astragalus water.
2. People with symptoms of substantial heat in the body
Astragalus is warm in nature and may aggravate heat. Drinking astragalus water when there are symptoms of substantial heat in the body, such as mouth ulcers, dry stool, may exacerbate the symptoms, making the body uncomfortable.
3. People with high blood pressure
Astragalus has a certain hypertensive effect; therefore, individuals with high blood pressure drinking astragalus water may further raise blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
4. People with cold and fever
Although astragalus can enhance immunity, during the cold and fever period, when the body needs to eliminate evil qi, the supplemental effect of astragalus may hinder the removal of evil qi, thus prolonging the illness.
5. People with allergic constitutions
Although astragalus is a natural herb, it may still trigger allergic reactions. For individuals with allergic constitutions, it is advisable to undergo an allergy test before drinking astragalus water to avoid adverse reactions.
Ingenious use of astragalus, tonifying qi and fortifying the body, 6 unusual collocations you wouldn’t have imagined.
Astragalus with Chinese wolfberry
The combination of astragalus and Chinese wolfberry can nourish the liver and brighten the eyes. Chinese wolfberry is sweet and mild, able to nourish the liver and kidneys, enrich essence, and improve vision. When used together with astragalus, it not only replenishes qi but also nourishes the liver, providing excellent relief for common modern ailments like excessive eye use and eye fatigue.
Astragalus with Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui)
The combination of astragalus and Angelica sinensis can tonify blood and beautify the skin. Angelica sinensis is known as the “holy medicine for nourishing blood.” When used together with astragalus, it can invigorate qi and nourish blood. For women, it helps regulate menstruation, improve dull complexion, making the skin rosy and radiant.
Astragalus with Poria cocos
The combination of astragalus and Poria cocos can invigorate the spleen and eliminate dampness. Poria cocos can invigorate the spleen, seep dampness, promote diuresis, and eliminate swelling. When used with astragalus, it not only supplements qi but also eliminates dampness, having a good conditioning effect on people with weak spleen and stomach, and excessive dampness.
Astragalus with Chrysanthemum
The combination of astragalus with chrysanthemum can clear heat and detoxify. Chrysanthemum is slightly cold and can clear heat and detoxify, and dispel wind-heat. When used with astragalus, it can nourish qi and detoxify, having a good therapeutic effect on wind-heat colds, sore throats, and other conditions.
Astragalus with Hawthorn
The combination of astragalus and hawthorn can aid digestion and disperse accumulation. Hawthorn can aid digestion and disperse food accumulation, promote qi circulation and blood stasis. When used with astragalus, it can supplement qi and aid digestion, making the body feel better for those suffering from food stagnation and bloating.
Astragalus with Ginger
The combination of astragalus with ginger can warm yang and dispel cold. Ginger can warm the middle, dispel cold, stop vomiting, and detoxify. When combined with astragalus, it can supplement qi and dispel cold, having a good conditioning effect on people who are cold-sensitive, and have cold extremities.
Extended reading: What are the differences between ginseng and astragalus? Which one is better?
Ginseng and astragalus, both being Chinese medicinal materials, have significant differences in nature, effects, and applicable populations.
Ginseng
Ginseng is known as the “king of herbs” with warm and hot properties, able to tonify vital energy significantly, possessing high nutritional value.
Ginseng can enhance the body’s immunity, strengthen physical strength, improve memory, and provide excellent nourishing effects for people with weakness and various illnesses. However, due to its warm nature, excessive consumption of ginseng may worsen symptoms for individuals with a hot constitution or tendency to heat up.
Astragalus
On the other hand, astragalus is a mildly warm Chinese medicinal material, known as the “holy medicine for tonifying qi.” Astragalus has various functions, such as tonifying qi, securing the exterior, stopping sweating, expelling water, and eliminating swelling, suitable for people with symptoms such as qi deficiency, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, and edema.
The moderately warm and tonic nature of astragalus makes it suitable not only for those with weak constitutions but also for people in need of long-term body regulation.
As for which one is better, it primarily depends on the individual’s physical condition and needs. For individuals with a weak constitution who need a significant tonifying effect, ginseng may be more suitable; while for those requiring long-term body regulation and improvement of qi deficiency symptoms, astragalus may be more ideal. In addition, both can be combined for better nourishing effects.
