Astragalus

Also Known As: Milk Vetch, Bei Qi, Huang Qi, Ogi, and Hwanggi

Botanical Name: Astragalus Membranaceus

Family Name: Fabaceae

Native To: China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia

Parts To Use: Roots

How It’s Used: Contains Astragalosides (antioxidants), which support respiratory tract health. The polysaccharides found in Astragalus are known for their immune supporting properties. Benefits of this herb include: heart health, increased energy, immune support, liver detox, and stress relief.

Harvesting: The root is harvested in the spring and fall, then carefully dried to maintain its full aroma and color. The herb is extracted in small batches for potency and to maintain the balance of phytochemicals as they exist in the plant. It is then ground into a powder to make an extract (in a capsule, tincture, liquid, or powdered form). Astragalus can also be used to make tea.

Native to China, Mongolia and North Korea, astragalus is one of the most important herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s known in China as Huang qi, which means “yellow leader.” There are more than 2,000 species of astragalus. It was introduced to North America in 1925 through the USDA’s Plant Introduction Office as a supplement for many conditions, including: diarrhea, fatigue, upper respiratory infections, heart disease, hepatitis, fibromyalgia, and as an additional therapy for cancer. The root of the astragalus plant is put in soups, teas, extracts, or capsules.

The astragalus plant is a perennial that grows between 16 to 36 inches in height. The seed can be sown directly in the garden in the early spring, then thinned to six inches apart. This plant appreciates full sun and good drainage, but it isn’t picky about the soil it grows in. The roots are harvested twice per year, then dried in the sun and processed for medicinal use. The root is yellow in color, has a texture that's fibrous and firm, and tastes slightly sweet. It's considered an edible herb, used to flavor soups, vodka, and other infusions.

In terms of medicinal properties, astragalus is considered an adaptogen (a natural substance that helps the body processes adapt to stress). This makes it ideal for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and protection against gastrointestinal inflammation and cancers. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners use astragalus for many health benefits, including its:

• Immune-boosting properties

• Antiviral and antibacterial properties

• Anti-inflammatory properties

• Anti-aging properties

Astragalus is also known for improving heart function and providing protection against heart disease. The herb is thought to improve blood flow by increasing the diameter of the blood vessels. People with autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis) as well as people with diabetes and hypertension should not use astragalus because it may impact blood sugar and pressure.