Tonic Drinks & Waters

Astragalus Red Bean Tangerine Peel Water

Traditionally used to tonify qi and blood and support the body's defences

In short: Astragalus Red Bean Tangerine Peel Water is a tonic drinks & water that Traditionally used to tonify qi and blood and support the body's defences. It is most often made for energy & vitality, immune support, everyday balance. Total time about 1 hr 10 min. Key ingredients: astragalus root, tangerine peel.

Prep
10 min
Cook
1 hr
Total
1 hr 10 min
Makes
0.9–1.2 L
Astragalus Red Bean Tangerine Peel Water

Why people make this water

Nourilo likes a clear word about ingredients: bei qi (northern astragalus) is the Astragalus root grown in the northeast, while the so-called “southern qi” is actually five-fingered fig root, a common soup ingredient. Both are traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and boost qi, but astragalus is regarded as the stronger of the two — traditionally associated with tonifying qi, supporting the body’s defences, easing weak sweating and promoting renewal. Whether in long slices or the fine “chrysanthemum-heart” slices, it works well in both soups and teas. Paired here with red bean and tangerine peel, it makes a gentle daily water to tonify qi and blood and support the body’s defences.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • Astragalus root · Meta-analysis, 8 studies, 750 participants · 2025
    TA-65 was associated with longer leukocyte telomeres compared with controls, but the meta-analysis found no significant improvement in frailty measures or inflammatory markers (CRP/IL-6). Mild gastrointestinal effects were reported.Limitation: Industry-funded trials reported larger effects than others, and the compound is a purified extract at doses not comparable to eating Astragalus root.PubMed 41286474 · 3 more astragalus root studies
  • Adzuki beans · Randomized crossover trial, 10 participants · 2019
    Adzuki bean meals had a low glycemic index (21–51 range reported with lotus seed), whereas other starchy foods did not differ significantly from rice. Adzuki bean hydrolysis index was lower than other test foods.Limitation: Only ten healthy participants and acute single-meal responses, so effects in people with diabetes or with regular intake are unknown.PubMed 30875961 · 1 more adzuki beans study
  • Tangerine peel · Randomized controlled trial, 72 participants · 2025
    The tangerine peel drink group showed significant reductions in body weight and triglycerides after the intervention compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Safety markers showed no adverse effects. Gut microbiota and serum metabolite profiles also differed.Limitation: Small pilot trial with only 55 of 72 participants completing. The fermented product is not the same as plain tangerine peel, and the control group is not described.PubMed 40225325

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Ingredient notes for this recipe

  • Astragalus: May interact with medicines that suppress the immune system. A thorough safety evaluation has not been done, and little is known about its safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Source: NIH NCCIH — Astragalus

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

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