Soups
Astragalus, Rehmannia and Cinnamon Twig Broth
Traditionally associated with warming the meridians, supporting blood circulation and relieving cold limbs
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.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suited to those with chronically cold hands and feet associated with qi-blood deficiency, including women with irregular or slow-flowing periods.
- Also helpful for those who sit or stand for long periods (such as desk workers) or work in air-conditioned environments.
- Not suitable for pregnant women.
- Not suitable for those with a yin-deficiency heat pattern (symptoms: persistent low-grade heat sensation, night sweats, dry throat, restlessness).
- If桂枝 (cinnamon twig) is unavailable, dried ginger or cinnamon bark (gui pi) can be used as a substitute.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Astragalus root (bei qi / huang qi): One of the most commonly used qi-tonifying herbs in Chinese food therapy; traditionally associated with raising yang and supporting the body’s defensive energy.
- Prepared rehmannia (shu di huang): A classic blood-nourishing herb; traditionally used to replenish kidney essence and support a healthy menstrual cycle.
- Cinnamon twig (gui zhi): Warming and dispersing; traditionally used to warm the meridians and improve circulation to the extremities — distinct from cinnamon bark, which is more intensely heating.
- Spatholobus stem (ji xue teng): An invigorating blood-moving herb that complements rehmannia; traditionally associated with supporting normal circulation.
- Red dates (hong zao) and ginger: Together they protect the stomach from the warming herbs and add a gentle sweetness.
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Astragalus root (bei qi) | 18 g (5 qian) | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Prepared rehmannia (shu di) | 18 g (5 qian) | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Cinnamon twig (gui zhi) | 9 g (3 qian) | Rinse |
| Spatholobus stem (ji xue teng) | 15 g (4 qian) | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Red dates | 5 | Pitted |
| Fresh ginger | 2 slices | |
| Water | 5 bowls (~1.25 L) |
Method
- Soak all dried herb ingredients briefly in cold water; drain. Pit the red dates.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 5 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1 hour until the liquid has reduced to about 2 bowls.
- Drink the broth. This formula is taken as a medicinal drink rather than a meal soup; the solid herbs are generally not eaten.
Bro Niu’s tips
This formula specifically suits cold limbs that arise from qi and blood deficiency — where the person also tends to tire easily, has a pale or dull complexion, or whose menstrual flow feels sparse or slow. It is warming and nourishing without being excessively hot. For those who tend to have both cold limbs and digestive weakness, adding two extra dried tangerine peel pieces (chen pi) to the pot can make the formula easier on the stomach. The formula should not be used during active fever or when you have an ongoing cold or flu.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Yin): My daughter (age 30) is slim, has low blood pressure and often has cold hands and feet. A friend recommended astragalus, codonopsis and south dates water — is this suitable? Bro Niu: That combination is indeed helpful for your daughter. Start with a smaller amount: bei qi and dang shen each 3 qian (cut into slices), with 5 south dates, simmered in 5 bowls of water to 2 bowls. Take 2–3 times a week. If the weather is cold, add 10 longan and 3 slices of ginger. The knotted vine soup in this article can also be taken once or twice a week alongside it.
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Q (Su tai): Can cinnamon twig in this formula be replaced with something else? Bro Niu: Yes — you can use dried ginger (gan jiang) or cinnamon bark (gui pi) as a substitute.
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Q (Joey): I drank this formula for two days but developed bloating and mild diarrhoea. Is this formula not right for me? Bro Niu: Your digestive system may need to be strengthened first before taking warming herbs. Try a four-herb pork rib soup (si shen pai gu tang) with Chinese yam, fu ling, lotus seeds, gordon euryale seeds and a few extra slices of ginger and red dates. This will warm the stomach and support absorption, after which the warming formula should be better tolerated.
Published September 17, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
