Recipe: Soup of Astragalus and Black Gram

From the Vitality Food Feature HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

CHANGE OF SEASON DIET – Part 1 (Soup of Astragalus and Black Gram)

Yuxiang Wang, an experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and teacher at the Canadian Gynecology Institute of Chinese Medicine (see page 83 in February 2015 issue of Vitality magazine), recommends adopting a ‘medicinal diet’ during the transition from winter to spring, the seasonal change that is ushered in at Chinese New Year. In preparation for this change, Yuxiang suggests the following herbal soup, which is good for replenishing Qi, for treating perspiration or night sweats, fatigue, and frequent colds.

Note that, for best results, it’s best to take this tea for 3 to 7 days for maximum results. (Makes 1 serving)

Ingredients:

• 30 grams astragalus root
• 60 grams black gram
• 2 cups water
• Salt to taste

1) Place ingredients in a pot with 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.

2) Reduce heat to simmer, keeping the pot partially covered until the black gram is very soft.

3) Strain out Astragalus and add salt.

4) Serve warm.