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What are the health benefits of steeping in water the herbs Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), Huangqi (Astragalus), and Hawthorn?

Jan 25, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Danshen, Huangqi, and Hawthorn tea typically offers benefits such as improving cardiovascular health, lowering blood lipids, aiding weight loss, strengthening the spleen and promoting digestion, resolving blood stasis to improve circulation, and invigorating qi to promote blood circulation. When selecting these herbs in daily life, ensure they are of high quality and free from mold. Before use, rinse the herbs thoroughly, then steep them in hot water for 15–20 minutes before drinking. The herbs can be reused for multiple infusions.

Infusing water with Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), Astragalus (Huangqi), and Hawthorn (Shanzha) typically offers benefits such as improving cardiovascular health, lowering lipids and aiding weight loss, strengthening the spleen and promoting digestion, resolving blood stasis and improving circulation, as well as invigorating qi and promoting blood circulation. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Improve Cardiovascular Health

Salvia miltiorrhiza and Astragalus both have effects of dilating blood vessels and lowering blood pressure, which can improve cardiac blood supply and help prevent angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. The vitamin C and trace elements in Hawthorn also strengthen blood vessel walls, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. When used together, these three ingredients help maintain cardiovascular health and play a positive role in preventing hypertension, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, and other conditions.

2. Lower Lipids and Aid Weight Loss

Hawthorn contains flavonoids and triterpenoids that significantly reduce blood lipids, lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and preventing atherosclerosis. Additionally, Hawthorn's high fiber content helps increase satiety, reducing calorie intake, thus contributing to weight loss.

3. Strengthen the Spleen and Promote Digestion

Hawthorn can promote gastrointestinal motility and aid digestion, especially effective for symptoms of food stagnation from excessive meat consumption and epigastric distension and fullness. Combined with Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza, Hawthorn simultaneously regulates qi and blood while supporting the digestive functions of the spleen and stomach, preventing stagnation caused by excessive tonification.

4. Resolve Blood Stasis and Improve Circulation

Both Salvia miltiorrhiza and Hawthorn have the effect of promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis. The flavonoids in Hawthorn can also reduce blood viscosity and improve vascular endothelial function. When used together, they help prevent atherosclerosis, reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and provide certain auxiliary regulatory effects for conditions such as coronary atherosclerotic heart disease and cerebral arteriosclerosis.

5. Invigorate Qi and Promote Blood Circulation

Astragalus can treat symptoms such as qi deficiency and fatigue, enhancing the body's energy levels. Salvia miltiorrhiza promotes blood circulation and resolves blood stasis, improving circulation and microcirculation while reducing platelet aggregation and thrombosis. Together, they synergistically promote the circulation of qi and blood, improving symptoms of qi and blood deficiency accompanied by blood stasis, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the body's circulatory system.

In daily life, when choosing Salvia miltiorrhiza, Astragalus, and Hawthorn, ensure they are of high quality and free from mold or deterioration. When preparing as an infusion, first rinse the herbs thoroughly, then steep them in boiling water for 15–20 minutes before drinking. They can be re-infused multiple times.

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