Can pregnant women drink soup made with Astragalus and Codonopsis?

In general, pregnant women can consume soup made with Astragalus (Huang Qi) and Codonopsis (Dang Shen), but should control the amount consumed. Pregnant women who have symptoms of spleen-stomach deficiency or yin deficiency with internal heat are advised to avoid this soup. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Astragalus and Codonopsis are two commonly used traditional Chinese herbs. Astragalus functions to tonify qi, raise yang energy, strengthen the exterior to stop sweating, promote diuresis to reduce edema, and nourish body fluids and blood. Codonopsis helps strengthen the spleen and lungs, and nourish blood and body fluids. When used together in a soup, they can help increase qi and blood. Pregnant women generally may consume this soup, which to some extent supports regulation of qi and blood, maintains health, and may alleviate discomforts during pregnancy such as fatigue and nausea.

However, if a pregnant woman has symptoms of spleen-stomach weakness or yin deficiency with excessive internal heat, it is recommended to avoid consuming this soup, as taking these herbs may加重 gastrointestinal burden and lead to discomforts such as bloating and abdominal pain. It is advisable to limit intake and avoid consuming large amounts at once to prevent indigestion.

Fresh ingredients from safe and reliable sources are recommended to avoid unnecessary harm to the body. Pregnant women should maintain a balanced diet, increase intake of protein-rich foods such as pig trotters, chicken feet, and eggs, which benefit maternal health and fetal development.