Who should not drink water infused with Astragalus (Huang Qi)?
Apr 23, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
This group of people often presents with symptoms such as facial flushing, red eyes, oral and tongue ulcers, sore throat, dry bowel movements, and short, dark urine. Astragalus (Huang Qi) is warm in nature; consuming astragalus steeped in water may exacerbate internal heat pathogens, intensifying symptoms of excessive internal heat ("fire") and being detrimental to health. Individuals with excessive internal damp-heat commonly exhibit symptoms including bodily heaviness, yellow and greasy tongue coating, bitter taste in the mouth, bad breath, and sticky, unsatisfactory bowel movements. The warming and nourishing effect of astragalus may impede the elimination of damp-heat pathogens.
Generally, individuals with a hot body constitution, excessive internal heat-dampness, fever due to colds, pregnant women, and women during their menstrual period should avoid drinking astragalus tea.
1. Individuals with a hot body constitution: These individuals often exhibit symptoms such as flushed face and red eyes, mouth ulcers, sore throat, dry and hard stools, and short, dark urine. Astragalus is warm in nature; drinking astragalus tea may intensify internal heat, worsening symptoms of excessive internal heat and being detrimental to health.
2. Individuals with excessive internal heat-dampness: Common symptoms include bodily heaviness, yellow greasy tongue coating, bitter taste and bad breath, and sticky, unsatisfactory bowel movements. The warming and nourishing effect of astragalus may hinder the elimination of heat-dampness pathogens and could even worsen the condition, causing discomfort.
3. Individuals with colds or fever: During a cold, the body is engaged in a battle between pathogenic and protective forces. Consuming astragalus tea at this time might cause the pathogenic factors to linger in the body, prolonging the illness and potentially worsening symptoms such as fever and headache.
4. Pregnant women: Pregnant women have a relatively unique constitution. Particularly in the late stages of pregnancy, taking astragalus may lead to oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid), reducing the fetus's movement space within the uterus and increasing the difficulty and risk of delivery.
5. Women during their menstrual period: Astragalus has functions of replenishing qi to raise yang and consolidating the exterior to stop perspiration, which may affect the circulation of blood and qi in women. Drinking astragalus tea during menstruation might lead to increased menstrual flow and prolonged menstrual periods, thus disrupting the normal menstrual cycle.
Long-term and excessive consumption of astragalus tea may also cause side effects such as loss of appetite, increased burden on the liver and kidneys, heat flushes, night sweats, and depletion of body fluids. Therefore, it is recommended that when using astragalus tea, individuals should consume it in appropriate amounts according to their personal constitution and specific circumstances, under the guidance of a qualified physician.
