Botanical name: Astragalus membranaceus
Description: A bushy perennial legume usually about 16 – 36 inches tall with hairy stems and six to eight inch long fern-like fronds of leaves. It has an eight inch long, flat yellow-colored root, and seed pods like one inch miniature soy beans.
Properties: Adaptogen, alterative, antibacterial, anti-hydrotic, anti- inflammatory, antiviral, aphrodisiac, cardio tonic, diuretic, hypertensive, immuno-stimulant.
Origin: China. Early uses date back thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine as an energy tonic, and immune system enhancer.
Aliases: Astragali, Huang qi, Locoweed, Milk Vetch Root, Hwanggi, Ogi.
Useful Parts: Dried roots. Harvested from four-year old plants.
Uses: To regulate stress and promote immune function. To re reduce colds, flu, and infections. To treat gastric disorders, liver disorders, chronic fatigue, and increase appetite. To maintain healthy blood sugar levels, treat cardiovascular diseases, lower blood pressure, and nourish adrenals. To increase energy levels and stamina. It has been used clinically for AIDS and cancer.
Forms: Whole dried root, tinctures, teas, and capsules.
Caution: Overall, it is safe and has no known side effect. However, it is not recommended for acute inflammatory, infectious states and high fevers. It is not compatible with post-heart attack medications, and blood thinners, such as Coumadin.
East Meets West
Astragalus is one of 50 herbs fundamental to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries as an energy tonic to enhance the immune system. Known as “The Yellow Leader” (Huang qi) in China, Astragalus is highly acclaimed as the most important of all deep immune tonics. This is due to its support of T-cells in bone marrow reserves.
Astragalus was first identified as an herb over two thousand years ago in China. It was documented as a tonic herb in the classical treatise Shen Nong Pen Tsao Ching. Its use (usually in combination with other herbs, such as Licorice and Ginseng) grew from Northern China and cultivation of the herb extended to the Shanxi and Heilongjiang provinces and Inner Mongolia.
Astragalus is primarily used in TCM in compounds with other herbs. It is widely used in China in the treatment of chronic hepatitis. The success of the herb in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments, such as chronic hepatitis in China, only caught the attention of Western researchers in recent centuries.
Although there are more than two thousand species of Astragalus growing worldwide, the Chinese Astragalus membranaceus is the most tested and extensively studied. For this reason and because of experience, the Chinese are the authority on Astragalus use.
Astragalus started to dominate Western scientific research due to its reputation as an immune-system
Yellow-colored roots of 4-year old Astragalus plants are harvested for medicinal use.
enhancer. Researches confirmed the herb’s alleged capabilities. Studies by the American Cancer Society showed patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy recovered faster and lived longer if they took Astragalus during treatment.
Astragalus’ history and indeed its fame is a classic East-meets-West tale. It was first identified and used in Asia, but even more so in the West. It grew so popular in North America that it was fed to livestock. That use was short-lived because it made livestock psychotic and suicidal. Cattle were seen to “go crazy” or “loco” following excessive consumption. Thus its alias, Locoweed.
Studies suggest Astragalus supports immunity, by strengthening and protecting the cells of the immune system. The immune system depends on specific immune-related cells to function. These cells include T-cells (also called “killer cells”, or “KC”), macrophages, and interferon. Each immune cell plays an important role in ridding the body of bacteria and preventing virus attack. Astragalus has been found to boost production of these cells, thus providing backup in the fight against infection and disease, and also protecting against stress-related illness.
Astragalus owes its potency to high contents of polysaccharides in its roots. Polysaccharides are unique carbohydrates known to provide powerful antioxidant capabilities, which are crucial in combating free radical damage.
Astragalus also contains betaine, beta-sitosterol, calcium, choline, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc, flavonoids, triterpene glycosides (such as astragalosides), amino acids, and essential fatty acids.
Astragalus is considered an adaptogen. Adaptogenic herbs help the body harmonize bodily functions and restore metabolic balance from the altering effects of stress without causing any side effects. They are essential in adapting to stress.
This adaptogenic (normalizing) effect is most pronounced on the heart, liver, and kidneys. Astragalus has been used clinically for viral myocarditis (a flu-like infection that affects the heart), hypertension, (high blood pressure), cardiovascular disease, hepatitis (liver inflammation), nephritis (kidney inflammation), and also for lowering blood sugar levels, strengthening the digestive system, and controlling excessive perspiration.
As an adaptogen, antioxidant, cardio tonic, diuretic, immunostimulant and tonic, Astragalus has also been used clinically for AIDS, adrenal deficiency, sluggish appetite, bronchitis, cancer, the common cold, diabetes, edema, chronic fatigue, , chronic or recurrent infections, influenza (flu), slow-to-heal lesions, cold and weak limbs, profuse perspiration, and prolapse of internal organs.
Astragalus appears to be most effective when used on a long-term basis daily. Significant increase in white blood cells count has been found after only two weeks of use in post-chemotherapy or radiation cancer patients, in some studies. It is worthy of note that, Astragalus does not directly attack cancer cells, but rather, strengthens the body’s immune defenses against cancer development. Therefore it comes highly recommended for impaired immunity patients.
Astragalus roots are high in Selenium
As a diuretic, Astragalus improves urine flow by reducing the potential of infection, helping prevent coronary heart disease and improving circulation. Consequently, it acts as a heart tonic: lowering blood pressure, dilating blood vessels and increasing endurance of fatigued hearts.
Astragalus also has antiviral properties, both preventive and defensive. Chinese studies suggest that Astragalus can help reduce the incidence and duration of colds. It has been useful in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome, Epstein-Barr, pneumonia, emphysema, chronic infection, immune-related illnesses, chronic cough, mal-absorption syndrome, uterine bleeding, abscesses, cysts, and ulcers.
Astragalus is very safe overall with no known side effects. Even high doses of the raw herb have been given to rats with no adverse effects. However, it is not recommended for acute inflammatory, infectious states and high fevers- it is best to avoid use until the condition is downgraded. Astragalus may be incompatible with immunosuppressive agents and may not be appropriate for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or following organ transplant.