Can Ophiopogon japonicus be steeped with Astragalus in water for consumption?

Sep 03, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, Ophiopogon japonicus (Mai Dong) can be steeped in water together with Astragalus (Huang Qi), but excessive consumption is not recommended. When drinking Ophiopogon-Astragalus water, note that the dosage of Astragalus should not be too high, generally 5-10 grams is sufficient, as excessive amounts may cause heatiness. Individuals with a naturally hot constitution, those prone to heatiness, or those with excess heat syndrome should consume less or avoid it altogether. It is also not advisable to consume this herbal water during a cold or fever, as it may interfere with recovery. Additionally, those with spleen and stomach deficiency should avoid it.

Generally speaking, Ophiopogon can be consumed together with Astragalus in water, but excessive consumption is not recommended. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Ophiopogon is slightly cold in nature and is effective at nourishing yin, generating body fluids, and moisturizing the body, which can relieve symptoms such as dry mouth and discomfort caused by yin deficiency. Astragalus is slightly warm in nature and can replenish qi, elevate yang energy, and enhance physical strength, making it suitable for conditions of qi deficiency and fatigue. When steeped together, Astragalus helps replenish qi while Ophiopogon nourishes yin fluids, preventing the possible depletion of body fluids caused by solely supplementing qi. This combination is suitable for daily consumption by individuals with deficiency of both qi and yin to help alleviate concurrent symptoms of qi deficiency fatigue and yin deficiency dryness.

When consuming Ophiopogon and Astragalus water, attention should be paid to the dosage of Astragalus, which generally should not exceed 5-10 grams, as excessive amounts may lead to heatiness. Individuals with a naturally hot constitution, those prone to heatiness, or those with excessive internal heat conditions should consume less or avoid it altogether. It is also not advisable to consume this mixture during episodes of colds or fever, as it may interfere with recovery. Those with weak spleen and stomach function or poor digestion should limit their intake to avoid increasing gastrointestinal burden. Special populations, such as pregnant women, children, or individuals currently taking other medications, are advised to consult a healthcare professional before consumption.

View All

What tea should be drunk when platelets are too low?

In general, drinking teas such as red date and goji berry tea, longan lotus seed tea, peanut skin tea, astragalus and angelica tea, and black sesame tea may have a supportive effect in improving low platelet levels. In daily life, in addition to using herbal teas for regulation, it is also helpful to moderately increase the intake of foods rich in protein and vitamins—such as lean meat, eggs, and fresh vegetables and fruits—to ensure balanced nutrition.