Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years and is widely believed to restore health on all levels: mental, physical, emotional, energetic and spiritual.
A. membranaceus is known as Huang Qi in China, meaning ‘yellow leader’, referring to the yellow color of the root and its long-standing elite classification among practitioners of Chinese medicine.
In many ancient Chinese medical texts, Astragalus is listed as a heaven class herb, the highest of three herb classifications based on potency. It is still considered one of the 50 best tonic herbs in the Pharmacopoeia of Traditional Chinese Medicine. A. membranaceus was introduced to North America in 1925, but according to herbalist Stephen Buhner, it was not widely known and used until the 1960s, when oriental herbs became popular among Western herbalists.
Astragalus is now one of the most important immune-enhancing herbs in the Western herbal pharmacopoeia. It is taken in soups, teas, extracts and capsules, and is often combined with other herbs such as reishi, codonopsis, licorice and dang quai to enhance its benefits. When cut lengthwise, the carrot slices can easily be used in stock (see the recipe at the end of the article). The grated root is often used in tea and to make tinctures.
There are over 2000 Astragalus species around the world! Astragalus propinquus, Astragalus membranaceusAnd Astragalus mongholicus are the types commonly used. Common names include milk vetch (for most species), locoweed (for some North American species), and goat’s thorn (for A. gummifer And A. tragacantha). A. America is the North American milk vetch that many herbalists consider to have the same properties as the more commonly used varieties.
Astragalus plants are perennials with hairy stems that can grow up to 36 inches tall. The 12 to 18 pairs of leaves show small elongated, pointed yellow flowers. The roots are harvested in the fourth year. The most commonly used varieties are native to Mongolia, Korea and China.
Adaptogenic
Some call Astragalus the “ginseng for the young,” referring to its ability to increase vitality and mental focus. Like other adaptogens, Astragalus invites balance where it is needed. In times of stress and uncertainty, the herb can have a grounding and calming effect. When energy is low, the herb can increase energy and stamina. Astragalus is reported to balance the immune, nervous and hormonal systems. It increases chi, or life force energy.
Supports a healthy immune response
Astragalus is believed to warm and strengthen the skin wei chior the protective energy layer just beneath the skin. It is said that strengthening wei chi helps protect us from the cold, especially during seasonal temperature fluctuations. Astragalus is commonly found in immune formulas, usually combined with other nourishing and preventive herbs such as elderberry, echinacea, nettles, reishi, maitake and shitake mushrooms. WishGarden uses Astragalus in its Daily Immune formulas for adults and children.
Lifespan
According to nineteenth-century government documents and newspapers, a man named Li Ching Yuen who consumed Astragalus every day lived to be 256 years old! Daoists in China have long cherished Astragalus as an herb that enables longevity. Today we know from scientific research that this is true. We now know that there are compounds in Astragalus that promote healthy cell replication and cellular DNA repair.
Supports healthy respiratory and circulatory systems
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Astragalus is believed to protect lung chi (lung energy), and modern research has confirmed that the herb supports healthy lung function. Several studies have also shown that Astragalus supports healthy heart function and improves circulation and blood flow. It also nourishes the blood, due to its high content of bioavailable iron.
Healthy inflammatory response and youthful skin
As we mentioned earlier, Astragalus is believed to nourish the wei chi, or protective energy that circulates just beneath the skin’s surface. This energy not only protects us during the change of seasons and against cold weather, but also gives radiant vitality to our actual skin. It is believed that the herb’s ability to promote healthy cell replication and reduce inflammation also contributes to the herb’s effectiveness in promoting healthier, more youthful skin. The raw herb in powder form is often used topically to reduce signs of aging and make the skin supple.
Immune-nourishing herbal mix for broth: a recipe
While making your own bone or vegetable stock, add the following directly to the stock as it cooks, or place the herbs in an organic cotton or muslin bag for easy straining.
- 5 Astragalus root slices (the root cut lengthwise to resemble tongue depressors)
- 3 reishi slices
- 5-10 dried maitake mushrooms
- 5-10 dried shitake mushrooms
- 1/8 cup dried nettles
- 1/8 cup parsley
WishGarden Herbs formulas with Astragalus Root:
Daily immune builder for kids and daily immune builder
References
Writer Amy Malek, CCN, CCH, INHC is a certified clinical nutritionist, certified clinical herbalist, integrative nutritional health coach, and flower essence practitioner. She discovered her love of plants in the Sonoran Desert while living in Tucson, Arizona. She has been studying plants from the mountains in the west and southwest for ten years. Her many teachers include Paul Bergner, Rosemary Gladstar, Dr. Aviva Romm, Lisa Ganora, Kat MacKinnon, Erin Smith, John Slattery and Charles Kane. Her career is divided between Holistic Health, Graphic/Web Design and Marketing/Social Media Consulting. She is currently the Social Media Coordinator of WishGarden. She lives in Boulder County, CO. She enjoys wild crafting and growing her own medicinal plants and making a variety of herbal medicines. You can find more information about her practice on her website, www.wholeheart-wellness.com.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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