For over 2,000 years, Astragalus has been used in China and was considered a cultural treasure. It eventually made its way to the Western world and has become known as a “superior herb” for “restoring the normal”. This simply means that with regular use, it can help correct underlying conditions of that lead to serious illnesses.
About AstragalusAstragalus is a large genus of about 3,000 species of herbs and small shrubs, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae. It is also known as milkvetch root and Huang-qi. The root is what is used as medicine. It grows in Mongolia and north-eastern China, and prefers dry, sandy soil. It mostly grows along the margins of forests and grasslands.
BenefitsAstragalus is an adaptogen, which means that it adapts to whatever the body needs, so it is a very versatile herb. Historically, it has been used to treat colds, upper respiratory infections, cancer, asthma, and nervous conditions, as well as stabilize blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and boost energy levels.
- Boosts the Immune SystemAstragalus has shown to stimulate the immune system, and it has an anti-viral agent that helps the body destroy viruses and other harmful microbes. Some claim that Astragalus is the most powerful immune-building plants on the planet! It does have a long history as an immune system booster and disease fighter.
- Shrink Tumors: Astragalus saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides has shown to help decrease or eliminate tumors. In a study published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, regarding chemoresistance treating liver cancer, astragalus has shown potential in reversing multidrug resistance. [1]
- Anti-Aging: In animal studies, compounds from the roots have shown to slow the aging process by helping to preserve the length of telomeres at the ends of chromosomes. Long telemere length has been associated with human longevity.
- Helps Recovery: Astragalus has been shown to help patients receiving chemotherapy to recover more quickly and extend their life spans.
- Protects the Cardiovascular System: There are flavonoids in astragalus that help prevent plaque buildup in arteries, and also help protect the inner wall of blood vessels from narrowing. In studies, Astragalus has also shown to reduce blood pressure and the level of triglycerides.[2]
Astragalus is a very powerful herb, yet gentle and safe enough to take for a long time. It is recommended in the case of chronic illness, to be taken anywhere from 3 months to several years.
Herbs4You uses Astragalus in our Immune Ease formula as well as the Special Force.
Herbs4You uses Astragalus in our Immune Ease formula as well as the Special Force.
I trust you enjoyed this study on Astragalus and will incorporate it in your health.
We’re here to help YOU!Amy Willis, MHYour Local Herbalist
May 25, 2015
Resources:Grow it Heal it, by Christopher Hobbs and Leslie Gardner, pp. 14-15https://draxe.com/astragalus/[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23146037[2] http://www.journaltcm.com/modules/Journal/contents/stories/133/25.pdf