Astragalus as an Herb

(Astragalus membranaceus)

Astragalus is a member of the pea family native to northeast China, where astragalus is commercially grown. In China, the root is called huang-qi. The Chinese name huang-qi means "yellow leader" because it is one of the superior tonic roots in traditional Chinese medicine.

Medicinal Uses for Astragalus

Astragalus has been used to invigorate vital energy (qi) and in prescriptions for shortness of breath, general weakness, and lack of appetite; also as a diuretic, and for the treatment of colds, flu, stomach ulcers, and diabetes. Astragalus is widely used in modern herbal practice in China.

Since 1975, astragalus has also been used in China in cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment and chemotherapy. Conventional cancer treatments reduce the function of the immune system, so astragalus helps return it to normal function.

In the early 1980s, researchers in Houston, Texas, studied the effects of astragalus on nineteen cancer patients and fifteen healthy individuals. A chemical fraction extract of astragalus was found to restore T-cell function in 90 percent of the cancer patients to levels observed in the healthy subjects.

Numerous studies confirm Astragalus as an immunostimulant, and for antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic, and diuretic effects. It is also known to improve stamina.

Using Astragalus

Most authorities on traditional Chinese medicine recommend taking 9 to 15 grams (3 to 5 tablespoons) of the whole herb per day as a decoction, made by boiling the ground, dried root in water for a few minutes and then brewing the tea. May also be taken in capsule or extract form.

The dried sliced root, which looks like a tongue depressor, is the usual form of the crude herb supplied from Chinese sources. Tinctures, tablets, capsules, powdered herb, extracts, and combination products are found in the American herb market. Astragalus is often combined with ginseng.

Culinary

You can cook astragalus root into immune building soups with shiitake mushrooms onions, garlic, miso and carrots.

Cautions

No side effects or adverse reactions have been reported.

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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Some plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals. Some plants used for illness in the past have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.