During my confinement period, my family cooked a soup for me using Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Astragalus, both of which are Chinese herbal medicines. I am a little worried. Can Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Astragalus be cooked together?
Can Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Astragalus be cooked together?
Yes, they can.
Rhizoma Dioscoreae, the dried stem marrow of the Dioscorea septemloba from the family Dioscoreae, has a sweet and mild taste and a slightly cold nature. It has the effects of clearing heat, promoting diuresis, and lactation. Astragalus has a warm nature and a sweet taste. It has the effects of tonifying qi, stabilizing the exterior, diuresis, and promoting skin regeneration. Both herbs have no obvious toxic side effects, and their properties and effects do not conflict with each other. Therefore, Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Astragalus can be cooked together.
What are the benefits of cooking Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Astragalus together?
Tonifying the Middle and Augmenting Qi
In traditional Chinese medicine, Astragalus is believed to have the effect of tonifying qi and stabilizing the exterior. It can be used to treat conditions such as qi deficiency and spontaneous sweating. It can help the body recover quickly.
Promoting Menstruation and Lactation
Rhizoma Dioscoreae has no taste or smell, and its action is mild. It can promote the circulation of meridians and stimulate milk secretion. Astragalus has the effect of tonifying qi and promoting circulation. Cooking Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Astragalus together can help promote milk secretion and assist in the treatment of postpartum insufficient lactation and lack of milk.
Diuresis and Reducing Swelling
Rhizoma Dioscoreae has the effect of clearing heat and promoting diuresis, increasing the urinary excretion of potassium. Astragalus also has the effect of diuresis and promoting skin regeneration. Cooking Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Astragalus together can assist in the treatment of symptoms such as painful urination, red and hot urine, and edema with decreased urine output.
Regulating Menstruation
Rhizoma Dioscoreae has the effect of clearing heat and dampness and can assist in the treatment of gynecological disorders caused by damp-heat accumulation in the blood sea, such as excessive menstrual flow, prolonged menstruation, and breakthrough bleeding. Astragalus can tonify the middle and augment qi, promote the circulation of blood in the body, reduce vascular resistance, and have a certain auxiliary therapeutic effect on conditions such as reduced menstrual flow, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea caused by blood deficiency or blood stasis.
How to cook Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Astragalus together?
Braised Pig's Trotters with Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Astragalus
Ingredients: 1 pig's trotter, 5 grams of Rhizoma Dioscoreae, 20 grams of Astragalus, 30 grams of peanuts, 5 red dates, ginger slices, scallion segments, cooking wine, a little salt.
1. Wash the pig's trotter and cut it into pieces.
2. Wash the Rhizoma Dioscoreae, Astragalus, and peanuts. Wash the red dates and remove the pits.
3. Blanch the pig's trotter in boiling water to remove blood and impurities. Remove and wash off any foam.
4. Put all the ingredients into a stewing pot.
5. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 1-2 hours until the pig's trotter is tender.
6. Finally, add a little salt to taste.
Precautions for consuming Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Astragalus
1. Avoid long-term consumption
Rhizoma Dioscoreae is a diuretic and diuretic Chinese herb. Long-term consumption may burden the kidneys and affect their normal function. It is generally recommended not to consume Rhizoma Dioscoreae for a long time and to stop using it when symptoms disappear.
2. Pay attention to dosage
The recommended dosage of Rhizoma Dioscoreae is 3-5 grams, and the recommended dosage of Astragalus is 9-30 grams. If the dosage is too small, the expected therapeutic effect may not be achieved. Rhizoma Dioscoreae has a slightly cold nature, and excessive dosage may cause abdominal discomfort and loose stools. Astragalus has a warm nature and can tonify qi and promote circulation. Excessive dosage may cause excessive internal heat and symptoms of internal heat.
Who should not consume Rhizoma Dioscoreae?
1. Pregnant women should use with caution
Rhizoma Dioscoreae has a slightly cold nature and has the effects of promoting circulation and dredging meridians. Pregnant women have a special constitution, and excessive consumption of Rhizoma Dioscoreae during pregnancy may cause miscarriage and affect the growth and development of the fetus.
2. People with qi and yin deficiency
People with qi and yin deficiency should be cautious in consuming Rhizoma Dioscoreae. Rhizoma Dioscoreae has the effect of promoting diuresis and dredging meridians. Consuming it may further deplete qi and body fluids, leading to increased thirst, shortness of breath, distension and fullness in the stomach, pale complexion, fatigue, dry mouth, and other discomfort.
3. People with internal cold
People with internal cold should be cautious in consuming Rhizoma Dioscoreae. Internal cold refers to the invasion of cold Qi into the body's organs, resulting in symptoms such as weakness in the limbs, cold limbs, and abdominal pain. Rhizoma Dioscoreae has a sweet taste and a slightly cold nature. Consuming it may exacerbate the accumulation of cold Qi in the body, leading to increased discomfort.
Who should not consume Astragalus?
1. Pregnant women
Astragalus has the effect of tonifying qi and promoting blood and flesh growth. Consuming Astragalus during pregnancy may cause excessive fetal development, leading to difficult labor due to a large fetus.
2. People with damp-heat accumulation
Symptoms such as yellow and greasy tongue coating, bitter taste in the mouth, and dry throat indicate damp-heat accumulation. Astragalus has a warm and tonifying nature. Using Astragalus alone may exacerbate damp-heat symptoms.
3. People with excessive heat and toxin
Symptoms such as various purulent infections, dry and sore throat, and yellow and dry tongue coating indicate excessive heat and toxin. Astragalus has a warm nature and has the effects of tonifying qi and improving blood circulation. Consuming Astragalus may worsen the symptoms in people with excessive heat and toxin.
