Introduction: Since ancient times, traditional Chinese medicine has emphasized that "medicine is not as good as food", believing that food is the key to human health, and in the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the balance and stability of the internal environment of the human body depend on the regulation of diet.
Therefore, doctors and health practitioners have attached great importance to diet and health care, believing that it is the basis for disease prevention and treatment, health and longevity.
As a common Chinese herbal medicine, astragalus is loved by people because it has a variety of effects such as nourishing qi and nourishing blood, strengthening the spleen and lungs, etc., in the prescription of traditional Chinese medicine, astragalus is often used for various diseases, such as qi deficiency and fatigue, loss of appetite, lung deficiency cough, etc., so many people will choose to drink astragalus water in daily life to health care and prevent diseases.
However, for some specific groups of people, drinking astragalus water may bring unexpected *** Although astragalus has a variety of effects, many people are not suitable for drinking, and more seriously, drinking astragalus water may also lead to a situation where "the gains outweigh the losses". 
Astragalus is a common Chinese herbal medicine, which has the effects of nourishing qi and nourishing blood, strengthening the spleen and lungs, diluting water and reducing swelling, etc., and often soak in water with astragalus to drink, which can bring many benefits to the body:
1.Nourishes qi and blood
Astragalus has a good effect of replenishing qi and nourishing blood, for people with insufficient qi and blood and weak body, often soaking in water with astragalus can improve symptoms.
2.Boosts immunity
The polysaccharide components in astragalus can enhance the body's immunity, and for people with weak resistance, often drinking water with astragalus can enhance immunity and reduce the incidence of colds and other diseases.
3.Protects the cardiovascular system
Some components in astragalus can dilate blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and have a certain health care effect for people with cardiovascular diseases.
4.Improves sleep quality
Some of the components in astragalus can regulate the function of the nervous system, and for people with insomnia, dreaminess, and poor sleep quality, often soaking in water with astragalus can improve sleep quality.
5.Relieves fatigue
Some of the ingredients in astragalus can increase muscle strength and have a certain relieving effect on people who are overtired.
6.Boosts metabolism
Some of the ingredients in astragalus can promote metabolism and have a certain helpful effect on people who are in good health.
Astragalus is known as the "holy medicine for qi", is a widely used Chinese herbal medicine, however, not for everyone, its efficacy varies from person to person, some people will experience uncomfortable symptoms after drinking astragalus water, such as dizziness, palpitation, etc.
Mr. Zhou, a heart failure patient, has been suffering from breathlessness and shortness of breath for many years, by chance, he heard from a friend that astragalus has the effect of replenishing qi, so he bought and brewed some astragalus water to drink, and after a few weeks, he did feel that his shortness of breath symptoms have improved.
However, after drinking astragalus water, the neighbor Grandma Liu had symptoms of dizziness and palpitation, which made Grandma Liu wonder: It is also a qi tonic, why does Mr. Wang drink it and feel unwell?
In fact, the efficacy of astragalus varies from person to person, and its applicability varies depending on individual physique, severity of disease, use method and other factors, astragalus has the effect of invigorating qi and solidifying the surface, diuresis and reducing swelling, regulating blood pressure, etc., and has a certain relieving effect on qi deficiency and fatigue, chest tightness and shortness of breath, edema and other symptoms.
However, for some people, the qi-tonifying effect of astragalus may be too strong, leading to the appearance of uncomfortable symptoms such as dizziness and palpitation. In addition, astragalus may also interact with other drugs and affect the efficacy of the drug.
Therefore, when using astragalus, you should pay attention to individual differences, use it in moderation according to your own situation, and if you have uncomfortable symptoms, you should stop using it in time and consult a doctor, in addition, astragalus water is not suitable for everyone. 
People with colds and fevers
People with cold and fever are not suitable to drink astragalus water because astragalus has the effect of replenishing qi and raising yang, while the body is in a weak state when you have a cold and fever, and you need to rest and keep warm, not replenish qi.
In addition, astragalus is a warm and tonic traditional Chinese medicine, which is easy to help heat and phlegm, aggravate cold symptoms, for people with cold and fever, drinking astragalus water not only does not help, but may aggravate the condition.
During a cold and fever, what the body needs is a light diet and sufficient water to help the body recover and dissipate heat.
People with gastrointestinal stagnation
People with gastrointestinal stagnation should be cautious to drink astragalus water, because the daily diet is not modest, excessive intake, resulting in the stagnation of food in the stomach, these foods stay in the abdomen, difficult to digest, for a long time, the feeling of abdominal fullness is like summer exposure, making people feel tormented.
At this time, drinking astragalus water is tantamount to adding fuel to the fire, which will aggravate the stagnation situation, astragalus is a good medicine for qi, but although its properties are replenished, it has the effect of internal plugging.
For people with gastrointestinal stagnation, drinking astragalus water is like adding a handful of dry wood to the scorching sun, and the symptoms of abdominal pain and discomfort will follow, so it is not wise to drink astragalus water when the stomach is uncomfortable.
Females during pregnancy
Women during pregnancy should not drink astragalus water because astragalus has the effect of invigorating blood and removing blood stasis, which may lead to miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women, causing adverse effects on the fetus.
In addition, astragalus also has a diuretic effect, which may cause electrolyte imbalances in the pregnant woman's body, which can have a negative impact on the health of the pregnant woman, so pregnant women should avoid drinking astragalus water.
However, if pregnant women have symptoms of qi deficiency, they can drink astragalus water appropriately under the guidance of a doctor, astragalus has the effect of replenishing qi and nourishing blood, strengthening the spleen and lungs, which can help pregnant women improve qi deficiency symptoms, improve immunity, and promote fetal growth and development, however, pregnant women need to pay attention to drinking astragalus water in moderation when drinking it, and consult a doctor to avoid adverse reactions.
Yin deficiency of the crowd
People with yin deficiency in the theory of traditional Chinese medicine have insufficient fluid in their bodies, so they are prone to internal heat and fire, and people with this constitution often feel dry oropharynx, hot hands and feet, hot flashes and night sweats, insomnia and dreams, restlessness, and unable to sleep peacefully.
And astragalus, as a common Chinese herbal medicine, has a slightly warm medicinal properties, which for some people, is like warm sunshine. However, for people with yin deficiency constitution, taking astragalus water for a long time is tantamount to adding fuel to the fire and fueling the heat in the body.
The body of people with yin deficiency is like a dry land, without sufficient water nourishment, and astragalus water is like a strong liquor for them, although it can temporarily relieve some symptoms, but in the long run, it will make the body more dry, this practice not only can not moisturize the dead tree, but will make it more dry, and may even cause bleeding and other adverse symptoms, making the symptoms of yin deficiency worse.
Those with damp and hot constitution
People with damp heat constitution are not suitable for drinking astragalus water, because astragalus has the effects of replenishing qi and raising yang, fixing the surface and stopping perspiration, diluting water and reducing swelling, etc., while people with damp heat constitution usually have heavy damp heat in the body, poor spleen and stomach transport function, etc., drinking astragalus water will aggravate the damp heat symptoms in the body, resulting in a further decline in the spleen and stomach transport function, thereby affecting the health of the body.
In addition, astragalus is warm, and long-term drinking in large quantities is also easy to cause symptoms such as irritation and dry mouth, which is more likely to occur for people with damp and hot constitution.
Therefore, people with damp and hot constitution should avoid drinking astragalus water, and can choose other drinks with the effect of clearing heat and dampness to regulate the body.
Chicken stew with astragalus
After slaughtering the chicken, remove the hair and internal organs, wash it and put it in the pot with water to stew, in the process of stewing, wash the astragalus and add it to the pot, and add the appropriate amount of salt, ginger, green onion and other seasonings, and continue to stew until the chicken is cooked and rotten.
Stewed pig's trotters with astragalus
Wash the pig's trotters and chop them into small pieces, put them in a pot and add water to stew, in the process of stewing, wash the astragalus and add it to the pot, add an appropriate amount of salt, ginger, green onion and other seasonings, and continue to stew until the pig's trotters are ripe.
Astragalus porridge
In the process of cooking porridge, wash the astragalus and add it to the pot, add an appropriate amount of salt, ginger, green onion and other seasonings, and continue to cook until the porridge is cooked.
The above 3 ways to eat are very healthy ways to eat astragalus, which can not only replenish qi and nourish blood, but also enhance immunity, improve sleep and other effects.
Raw astragalus
Raw astragalus refers to unprocessed astragalus, which is sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and returns to the lungs, spleen, liver, and kidney meridians, and has the effects of replenishing qi and raising yang, diluting water and reducing swelling, and supporting toxins and muscles.
It is mainly used for qi deficiency and fatigue, lack of food and loose stools, sagging of middle qi, prolapse of anus for a long time, blood leakage in the stool, self-sweating, internal heat and thirst and other diseases.
Burnt astragalus
Burning Astragalus is a kind of concocted product made by adding honey or rice wine after slicing raw Astragalus, Burning Astragalus has the effects of replenishing and benefiting qi, lifting the sun, fixing the surface and stopping perspiration, etc., and is often used for qi deficiency and weakness, lack of food and loose stools, sagging of middle qi, prolonged diarrhea and prolapse of the anus.
Astragalus is stronger than raw Astragalus in terms of qi replenishment, and can also enhance the antiperspirant effect of raw Astragalus, but the warming effect of Astragalus is stronger, which is suitable for diseases of lack of yang qi or cold and dampness, while those with yin deficiency and fire need to be used with caution.
Qi deficiency is a common symptom in TCM theory, which is mainly manifested by symptoms such as physical fatigue, fatigue, and shortness of breath. In order to alleviate the symptoms of qi deficiency, people often choose some Chinese herbal medicines that have the effect of replenishing qi.
Among the two common qi-tonifying herbs, astragalus and ginseng, which one is more suitable for you?
Astragalus and ginseng both have the effect of replenishing qi, but their effects are slightly different, astragalus has the effect of invigorating qi and solidifying the surface, diluting water and reducing swelling, supporting toxin and draining pus, etc., mainly used for symptoms such as fatigue and self-sweating caused by qi deficiency.
Ginseng has the effects of greatly replenishing vitality, invigorating the spleen and lungs, calming the nerves and intellect, etc., and is mainly used for symptoms such as physical weakness and low immunity caused by qi deficiency.
Therefore, when choosing astragalus or ginseng, you need to decide according to your specific symptoms and physique, if you mainly have symptoms such as fatigue and self-sweating caused by qi deficiency, you can choose astragalus to benefit qi and strengthen the surface, dilute water and reduce swelling.
If you have symptoms such as weakness and low immunity caused by qi deficiency, you can choose ginseng to greatly replenish vitality, spleen and lungs.