Can I drink water infused with Astragalus (Huang Qi) during pregnancy?

Generally, it is not recommended to drink Astragalus (Huangqi) infusion on your own during pregnancy. Whether it is suitable depends on individual constitution and pregnancy condition, and should be determined under the guidance of a doctor. If in doubt, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider in advance. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Astragalus has a slightly warming nature and functions to tonify qi. If a pregnant woman has symptoms of qi deficiency—such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or easy tiredness—and a doctor confirms there are no contraindications, she may be advised to consume small amounts under supervision to help improve qi deficiency. However, dosage and frequency must be strictly controlled to avoid discomfort caused by excessive qi tonification.

If a pregnant woman has a heat-prone constitution, yin deficiency with internal heat, or tendencies toward bleeding (such as gum bleeding or abnormal vaginal bleeding), drinking Astragalus infusion may exacerbate internal heat or increase the risk of bleeding. Additionally, Astragalus may potentially raise blood pressure; for pregnant women with hypertension, its use could lead to blood pressure fluctuations, adversely affecting maternal and fetal health. In such cases, Astragalus should be avoided.

Diet and medication during pregnancy require special caution. Any dietary remedy should first be discussed with a doctor or qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. Avoid self-medicating with herbal remedies or drinking herbal infusions without professional advice to prevent adverse effects on pregnancy health.