Astragalus is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herb, which is convenient to consume. It can be decocted, made into paste, soaked in alcohol, and added to dishes. There has been a popular saying passed down among the people that goes, "Drink Astragalus soup often, prevent diseases and maintain health." This means that regularly using Astragalus to decoct soup or brew tea has good preventive and health benefits. Below, we will introduce several health-preserving Astragalus recipes that have excellent therapeutic effects on the human body.
Recipe 1: Astragalus Porridge
Ingredients: 10g Astragalus, 100g rice.
Instructions: Slice the Astragalus and soak it in water for half an hour. Then, pour it into a clay pot and simmer over low heat for one hour. Filter out the herbal juice, add rice and an appropriate amount of water, and cook until the rice is soft and the soup is thick. Consume once daily or every other day, for a duration of two weeks.
Effects: This porridge is cooked with rice and Astragalus juice, which enhances the lung-nourishing effect of Astragalus and its ability to invigorate the qi. It is beneficial for those who are physically weak, experience spontaneous sweating, have recurrent colds, coughs, asthma, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
Recipe 2: Astragalus Stewed Black Chicken
Ingredients: 1 black chicken, 50g Astragalus, a suitable amount of goji berries, a pinch of salt.
Instructions: Clean the black chicken and rub it evenly with salt. Wash the Astragalus and goji berries. Slice the Astragalus and stuff both ingredients into the chicken's abdominal cavity. Stew the chicken in a pot with water until the meat is thoroughly cooked. Consume once every other day, dividing it into two meals.
Effects: This recipe has the functions of tonifying qi and strengthening the kidneys. It is good for treating lower abdominal pain, uterine prolapse, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, and blurred vision caused by kidney qi deficiency.
Recipe 3: Astragalus Lamb Soup
Ingredients: 200g lamb, 10g Astragalus, 5g Angelica sinensis, a suitable amount of green onions, ginger, salt, cooking wine, etc.
Instructions: Wash the lamb and cut it into pieces. Put it in a clay pot with Astragalus and Angelica sinensis. Add an appropriate amount of water, along with green onions, ginger, salt, cooking wine, etc. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until the meat is tender and the soup is thick. Drink the soup and eat the meat. Consume once daily or every other day.
Effects: This recipe has the dual functions of tonifying qi and blood. It can also strengthen the kidneys and protect the liver. It is especially good for treating symptoms such as frequent urination, enuresis, nocturnal emissions, and excessive urination caused by kidney qi deficiency.
Recipe 4: Astragalus and Ligusticum Chuanxiong Porridge
Ingredients: 6g Ligusticum chuanxiong, 15g Astragalus, 50-100g glutinous rice.
Instructions: Decoct Ligusticum chuanxiong and Astragalus to extract the juice. Cook the juice with glutinous rice to make porridge. Consume warm in the morning and evening.
Effects: This recipe can tonify qi and stabilize the fetus. It is suitable for restless fetal movement.
Reminder: This recipe should be avoided by those with qi stagnation and dampness obstruction, food stagnation with chest tightness, heat toxins, exuberant external pathogens, and yin deficiency with yang excess. Astragalus should not be consumed with turtle shell, white fresh skin, and other foods.
