Soups

Astragalus, Rehmannia and Cinnamon Twig Broth

Traditionally associated with warming the meridians, supporting blood circulation and relieving cold limbs

In short: Astragalus, Rehmannia and Cinnamon Twig Broth is a soup that Traditionally associated with warming the meridians, supporting blood circulation and relieving cold limbs. It is most often made for respiratory & lung wellness, women's wellness, heart & circulation. Total time about 70 min. Key ingredients: astragalus root, red dates, ginger.

Prep
10 min
Cook
60 min
Total
70 min
Makes
600 ml
Astragalus, Rehmannia and Cinnamon Twig Broth

Why people make this broth

Chronically cold hands and feet are a common complaint, especially in women who are naturally slender, have been through periods of restrictive eating, or are in later life. In Chinese medicine, this condition is often associated with an insufficiency of qi and blood — the body simply does not have enough warmth-generating energy to circulate adequately to the extremities. Men can experience this too, particularly older men or those with chronic illness. The approach in Chinese food therapy is not simply to “add heat,” but to nourish the blood, support qi, and gently warm the meridians so that circulation can improve on its own. This is what this broth does.

Beyond cold limbs, this formula is also traditionally associated with supporting menstrual regularity and easing period pain — particularly in women whose cycles feel sluggish or uncomfortable in cold weather. Soaking feet in warm water before bed is a simple daily complement that can further support the warmth-generating effect.

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
  • Red dates · Meta-analysis, 483 participants · 2025
    Jujube was associated with significantly lower BMI and triglycerides, and lower fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. LDL and total cholesterol fell only in some subgroups. HDL, AST and ALT did not change significantly.Limitation: The authors state the overall quality of the evidence is limited, and results varied significantly by dose, treatment duration and disease type.PubMed 40399274 · 3 more red dates studies
  • Ginger · Meta-analysis, 23 studies · 2022
    Overall, acute and delayed nausea and vomiting did not differ significantly between ginger and control groups. A subgroup taking 1 g/day or less for over four days had less acute vomiting (OR 0.30).Limitation: Clinical heterogeneity between trials required subgroup analyses, and the authors state that sufficiently large, high-quality RCTs are still needed.PubMed 36501010 · 3 more ginger studies

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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