Can Danggui (Angelica sinensis) and Hongshen (red ginseng) be stewed together?

Dec 08, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
In general, Angelica sinensis (Danggui) and red ginseng can be cooked together, as their nutritional and therapeutic effects can complement each other. However, attention should be paid to appropriate dosage and suitable populations when consuming them. In daily life, the use of nourishing ingredients should be based on one's individual constitution, developing a habit of moderate consumption. Additionally, it is important to maintain a light diet and avoid spicy, stimulating foods such as chili peppers and Sichuan pepper to support overall health.

Generally, angelica root (Danggui) and red ginseng (Hongshen) can be stewed together. When combined, their nutritional and therapeutic effects can complement each other. However, attention should be paid to appropriate dosage and suitability for different individuals. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Both angelica root and red ginseng are common tonic ingredients. There is no clear incompatibility between them, and from the perspective of medicinal properties, they are suitable to be used together. Angelica root primarily nourishes and invigorates the blood, regulates menstruation, and relieves pain, while red ginseng excels at greatly replenishing vital energy, restoring pulse, and preventing collapse. When stewed together, these two herbs can simultaneously address both qi and blood deficiency, making the combination suitable for individuals with insufficiency of qi and blood, and generally will not cause adverse reactions. However, red ginseng is warm in nature; excessive consumption may lead to heatiness, causing discomfort such as dry mouth and sore throat. Additionally, due to its strong blood-activating effect, angelica root should be used cautiously by those who experience heavy menstrual bleeding. Furthermore, when preparing soups, it's important to control the amount of each herb to avoid over-nourishment, which could increase the body’s burden.

In daily life, the use of tonic ingredients should be based on one's individual constitution. It is advisable to develop the habit of moderate consumption, maintain a light diet, and avoid spicy, stimulating foods such as chili peppers and Sichuan pepper to support overall health.