BencaoBalance 本草

HomeRemedies › Astragalus Chicken Soup

Astragalus Chicken Soup 黄芪鸡汤

Immune System 增强免疫 early evidence
What the evidence says:
Astragalus polysaccharides show immune-modulating effects in lab studies; small human trials suggest fewer recurrent respiratory infections in children. Not yet definitive.

How to make it

Simmer 20–30 g sliced 黄芪 with half a chicken, 4 torn red dates and ginger for 1.5–2 h. Add a spoon of 枸杞 in the last 10 min. Drink the broth 1–2× a week through cold season.

Why it works

The broth extracts water-soluble polysaccharides; chicken adds protein for antibody production — the food-pairing is functional, not decorative.

Classical source

Astragalus (黄芪) is a superior-class tonic in the Shennong Bencao Jing 神农本草经 (~200 CE).

Frequency: [object Object]

Timeline: [object Object]

Cautions: Skip during an active fever/infection (traditional rule: tonics feed the invader). Caution with autoimmune disease or immunosuppressant drugs.

Herbs used

Open the full interactive guide →