Astragalus is a perennial Northern Hemisphere legume. It has 6-8 inch long fernlike fronds of leaves. Its root is a flat, light yellow, branched tap root about 8 inches in length. Astragalus also grows one inch long seed pods that resemble miniature soy beans.
Its North American relative, locoweed, is familiar to ranchers because of its toxic effect on cattle. After eating it, cows have been known to wander aimlessly, drooling and jumping over imaginary objects.
Medicinal Properties: Sweet, immune-stimulant, diuretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, antitumor, diaphoretic, antimicrobial. Astragalus enters the lung and the spleen, rejuvenating the digestive organs. It regulates blood sugar, helps circulate moisture, expels pus, stops sweating, and acts as an energy tonic.
Habitat: Astragalus is native to northern China and is grown in the provinces of Shanxi, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Gansu.
Traditional uses: Astragalus is said to enhance "metal" in Chinese herbology. It has been used to treat mucous membrane infections (especially in the urinary and respiratory tracts), diabetes with poor circulation, and hard to heal wounds. Combined with ginseng, it helps to protect from winter colds and viruses.
It is sometimes used after roasting it with honey. This enhances its ability to tone energy levels. As an adaptogen, it is thought to be better suited for children than ginseng. Used raw it is helpful in treating abscesses.
Astragalus is an important ingredient in herbal teas and is often taken in soup. It is said that if a family eats such soup weekly, they can be sure that they will make it through the winter without a single cold!
It is used often in cases of chronic debility. It is also used in cases of arthritic pain and numbness, loss of appetite, weakness, abnormally small amounts of urine discharge, night sweats, muscle numbness, boils, diarrhea, asthma, nervousness, prolapsed organs, uterine bleeding, recovery from severe blood loss, edema, abscess, inflammation, and nephritis.
Modern uses: The Astragalus root has been shown to have a positive effect on the viral heart disease called Coxsackie B. It was found to reduce cellular damage and electrical changes in the heart. Infected cells showed more regular rhythms and beat frequency.
The milk vetch also boosts defense mechanisms for those undergoing chemotherapy. It does this by normalizing immune responses, lowering digestive toxicity and increasing bone marrow activity. Very large doses are required for this application.
Astragalus is also an important ingredient in several Chinese combinations. It is the main herb in the metal weakened formula Fu Lei which strengthens the lungs. It is a key ingredient in the energy weakened formula Sheng Mai which boosts the immune system. It can also be found in small amounts in the formulas for weakened fire (Yang Xin), weakened earth (Wen Zhong), and weakened water (Jian Gu). Astragalus is also found in many other formulas meant to aid the immune system.
Astragalus is not suggested in cases of heat stroke or acute asthma. It also is not recommended for the early stages of flus when sweating is desired.
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