5 Free Astragalus Soup Recipes and 5 Astragalus Tea Recipes

I once tried to munch on a slice of astragalus root, just for fun. It is not harmful, but it isn’t very nice. So, how do you eat it? In astragalus soup and tea recipes, of course. They are considered general health tonics.

What is astragalus?

Astragalus root, known scientifically as radix astragali, is the root portion of astragalus membranaceus or astragalus propinquus. A plant from the pea family, it is native to Mongolia. It is now grown commercially in Northeast China and Northern China. It has also been called milk-vetch root.

The root is long, cylindrical and yellow brownish in colour. It is dried and sliced thinly. It has a mild licorice-like taste.

I am most used to buying the thin long slices but am aware that it can come in chips, chunks and powder as well. I believe slices come from whole roots which are of better quality. But that’s just my personal opinion.

Benefits of Astragalus

It helps to increase energy levels, build up resistance especially when your immune system is lowered by overworking and stress. If you are feeling a little blue or lethargic, try to add some astragalus into your diet.

Natural substances in the root promote blood cell formation in the bone marrow. It also stimulates the production of interferon, a protein that regulates cell growth and works on the immune system. It has also been observed to exhibit positive effects on viral infections, ulcers, blood pressures and certain types of cancer. It seems to have a diuretic function and acts positively on the liver. More research is being conducted to explore and learn about its effects on various types of diseases such as liver cancer and diabetes.

Astragalus powders and pills are now quite common in the drug stores. People are paying and taking these health supplements hoping that it would improve their health. But nothing beats preparing the real and natural thing in food. It is probably cheaper too.

What is the difference between 黄芪 (Huang qi) and 北芪 (Bei qi)?

Bei qi refers to astragalus root from Inner Mongolia. It is a slight variation, and the quality is supposed to be better than those from other parts of China. So, if you come across Chinese herbal recipes listing Bei qi as an ingredient, know that it is astragalus.

Astragalus Soup Recipes

Because it is a root and isn’t very palatable, it is almost always used in soups or tea, seldom in stir-fries or other types of cooking. I have recipes that paired it with fish, pork, various vegetables and chicken.

A visitor told me that she substituted the dried root slices with astragalus powder from supplement capsules [https://amzn.to/46xexZJ] and that it worked. You may try it if you have them. You may need to reduce the amount as powder tend to be more concentrated.

Recipe: Astragalus soup recipe with chicken

This is a gentle and nourishing tonic soup. It is cooked slowly over a long period of time using preferably a Chinese double-boiling jar. If you don’t have it, you can make this soup in a slow cooker or over the stovetop. It will require gentle low heat. It is important to not cook the chicken for too long or else the meat become dry.

Ingredients

• 1 chicken thigh, preferably from a free-range organic chicken
• 4 slices of astragalus
• 8 red dates
• 1 tbsp goji berries
• 500ml water

Directions (for double-boiling jar)

1. Wash and clean the chicken thigh. Trim away excess fat and skin
2. Parboil the chicken thigh
3. Soak the Chinese herbs (astragalus, red dates and goji berries) for a short while
4. Cut the red dates into halves and remove the seeds
5. Place all the ingredients into the double-boiling jar
6. Pour cold water into the jar, enough to cover the ingredients
7. Place the jar into a deep pot and fill the pot with water until the jar is half submerged
8. Bring the pot of water to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and cook for about 1 hour
9. Add salt to taste before serving.

If you have a slow cooker or rice cooker that can fit the jar, use it. That way, you don’t have to keep watch. ; )

Recipe: Astragalus soup with pork

This astragalus pork soup contains 6 different Chinese herbs. It is good for maintaining general health and to relieve tiredness.

The herbs came from a store-bought pre-mixed herbal soup pack. I took the soup pack apart and laid the herbs out onto a plate for a photo so that you can see the herbs clearly.

Ingredients

• 5g astragalus root
• 500g pork ribs
• 23g Chinese yam
• 5g codonopsis root
• 30g red dates
• 15g dried longan
• 15g Chinese wolfberries
• Boiling water

Directions

1. Parboil the pork ribs by boiling them together with water in a big pot for about 10 minutes. Remove and rinse the grit or floaties.
2. Boil water in a kettle
3. Rinse and place the astragalus, codonopsis root, Chinese yam, dried longan, Chinese wolfberries and red dates into a slow cooker or soup pot
4. Add the parboiled pork ribs
5. When the water boils, pour enough to cover all the ingredients in the pot
6. Bring the water back to a boil before lower to a simmer for about 1 hour
7. When you are ready to serve, remove the inner pot from the outer pot
8. Place the inner pot back on stove and bring to a boil
9. Add salt to taste before serving

Recipe: Fish astragalus soup recipe

Chinese angelica root and astragalus root are good nourishing herbs. Cod contains protein, calcium and phosphorus. Suitable for 1 year old and above.

Ingredients

• 10g astragalus root
• 20g cod fish or any firm white fish
• 2 slices Chinese angelica root
• 800cc water
• 20g Chinese wolfberries
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixture
• 1 tsp salt

Directions

1. Soak the Chinese wolfberries, astragalus and Chinese angelica root
2. Steam the cod fish
3. Break the fish into small pieces
4. Place the astragalus and Chinese angelica root into water
5. Bring the water and Chinese herbs to a boil, lower heat and simmer till the water is reduced by 1/3
6. Add the cod pieces and Chinese wolfberries and bring the water back a boil
7. Remove the roots, leaving the fish and wolfberries
8. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and season with salt
9. Serve

Recipe: Astragalus soup with broccoli, tomato and mushrooms (Vegetarian)

A home detox recipe containing tomato, broccoli and shiitake mushrooms. Together, the 3 ingredients offer loads of vitamins and minerals and are considered indispensable in diets aimed at cancer prevention.

Broccoli and tomato are considered a great antioxidant pair. They are reputed to aid in cell repair, balance blood pressure and lower blood sugar. However, they are not suitable for everyone. Those with kidney problems should avoid them.

The instruction is to remove the tomato skin because it is not easily digested. This is good for people who have digestive issues or for the elderly. If you like the skin (like me), you can skip that step.

Ingredients

• 12g astragalus root
• 230g broccoli
• 1 tomato
• 3 fresh shiitake or Chinese mushrooms
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 litre water or vegetable soup stock

Directions

1. Wash the broccoli and cut into little florets
2. Wash the mushrooms and cut in half
3. Wash the tomato, remove the skin by scoring the skin with a knife and blanch the tomato with hot water and cold water. The skin should shrink from the fruit making it easy to remove. Cut the fruit into quarters.
4. Bring the astragalus and water to boil. Lower the heat and cook for 10 minutes
5. Add the tomato and mushrooms and cook a further 15 minutes.
6. Lastly, add the broccoli, turn up the heat and cook till broccoli is done
7. Add salt to taste

Recipe: Astragalus soup recipe with carrot and potato (Vegetarian)

This recipe contains broccoli, carrot, corn and potato. It boosts your immunity. Of all the vegetables in this recipe, broccoli cooks the quickest, turning yellow and losing its nutrients. Cut into small florets and add it LAST.

Ingredients

• 1 carrot
• 1 potato
• 1 broccoli
• 1 ear of sweet corn
• 20g astragalus root
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 1000ml vegetable soup stock

Directions

1. Peel the carrot and potato. Cut both into bite-sized cubes. Wash and drain
2. Cut the broccoli into small florets. Wash and drain
3. Wash the sweet corn, cut into sections
4. Add the vegetable stock in a pot, add the carrot, potato, sweet corn, and astragalus
5. Bring the soup stock to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until the carrot and potato become tender
6. Add the broccoli and cook till it is done
7. Add salt to taste before serving

Astragalus tea recipes

Astragalus should be consumed on a consistent basis. So, an astragalus tea infusion might be an easier way to introduce astragalus to your daily diet.

Recipe: Astragalus red tea

Ingredients

• 10g dried astragalus root slices
• 1g red tea leaves or 1 red tea bag
• 500 ml water

Adjust the strength of the tea to suit your preference by adjusting the amount of the astragalus added. Don’t feel obliged to follow this recipe strictly.

Directions

1. Add the slices or powder to water and bring to a boil in a small saucepan
2. Let it boil for about 5 minutes
3. Remove the slices from the water or strain the water
4. Place the tea bag in a cup and pour the astragalus water into the cup
5. Steep the tea bag for a couple of minutes
6. Pour the astragalus tea in a thermal flask and sip it slowly throughout the day

Recipe: Astragalus and rose tea

A beauty tea because it works on the liver and blood.

Ingredients

• 10g dried astragalus root slices
• 3 French rose buds
• 500 ml water

Directions

1. Boil the astragalus root in 500ml water for 15 minutes
2. Add the rose buds and let steep for a few more minutes
3. Strain and drink

Recipe: Astragalus and chrysanthemum buds tea

Good for the liver and eyesight.

Ingredients

• 10g dried astragalus root slices
• 3 chrysanthemum buds
• 500 ml water

Actually, it is good to use both rose buds and chrysanthemum buds together with astragalus.

Directions

1. Boil the astragalus root and buds in 500ml water for 15 minutes
2. Strain and drink

Recipe: Astragalus and American ginseng tea

An easy tea to boost immunity

Ingredients

• 10g dried astragalus root slices
• 5g American ginseng
• 500 ml water

Directions

1. Boil the astragalus root and American ginseng in 500ml water for 15 minutes
2. Drain and drink

Recipe: Astragalus and red dates tea

Drink this to ease anxiety and work stress

Ingredients

• 10g dried astragalus root slices
• 2 red dates
• 500 ml water

Directions

1. Boil the astragalus root and red dates in 500ml water for 15 minutes
2. Drain and drink

Where can you buy astragalus root?

Astragalus root can be found in Chinese medicinal shops in Singapore. They may be available in large Asian supermarkets. Lastly, I found them on Amazon [https://amzn.to/46wSd2o].

Contraindication

In traditional Chinese medicine, astragalus root is commonly recommended to many types of immune disorders caused by poor or low immune functions.

Because it stimulates the immune system, people with already over-active immune systems such as patients with multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis should not consume it. The same goes for organ transplant patients. It is also not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.

We have come to the end of this post. I hope you found what you are looking for. If you have found it useful, let me know. It is a form of encouragement to me.

Happy cooking!