Ask the Expert Series

To determine the TCM drinks that are suitable, would actually depend on individual’s body condition, rather than the trimester of pregnancy. So if you wish to drink any TCM herbal drinks on a regular basis, do seek advice from a TCM physician with regards to your body condition and the herbal drink suitable for you. For the second trimester of pregnancy, one possible issue that could start to arise is water retention, especially at the lower limbs. In TCM, we would view this as excess dampness in the body, and one possible cause is a weak Spleen. In this case, a herbal tea consisting of 黄芪（Astragali Radix）and 白术（Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz）would be recommended. As mentioned, do seek advice if you wish to drink any TCM drinks regularly, for the optimum result.