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Common Name | Astragalus |
| | Family | FABACEAE or LEGUMINOSAE Pea Family |
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| Other Names | Huang qi , yellow leader |
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| Parts Used: | root |
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| Constituents |
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 Remedies using Astragalus
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Normally 9-15 g. in decoction,also used in pills, powder, or extract form
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The Chinese knowledge of the astragalus is much older than here in the West dating back at least 2,000 years. The name Astragalus serves as both a botanical generic name and an English common name for the Chinese medicinal plant known as huang-qi, which is used in numerous Chinese prescriptions. With ginseng (Panax ginseng)it is used as a tonic for fatigue, general debility, lack of appetite, and spontanouse perspiration. In traditional Chinese medicine (*TCM), astragalus is one of a number of herbs used in fu-zheng therapy. Fu-zheng refers to treating disease by either enhancing or promoting the defense mechanism or normalizing the central energy.
[684]Astragalus is especially useful for strengthening the body against viral infections of the respiratory tract and heart through stimulation of interferon production in the body.
Studies show that it has helped cancer patients immune systems regain normal function. |
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| Heart Tonic | | [711] In combination with codonopsis (Codonopisis pilosula), astragalus is used to strengthen the heart.
( Foster, Steven, Chongxi, Yue ) | | Immune system, interferon | | [684] An anitviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, astragalus fortifies the immune system on several levels, including, perhaps, by increasing the body's production of interferon
(Duke, James A, Ph.D. ) | | Cold prevention | | [625] Unlike echinacea, astragalus may be taken long-term during cold and flu season. Chinese studies have found it to be an effective preventive against the common cold
(White,Linda B., M.D. ) |
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The common name "yellow leader" refers to the yellow interior of the root, and the fact that this is one of the superior tonic roots in traditional Chinese medicine. A typical member of the pea family, astragalus has finely divided leaves, small pealike flowers and seed pods, and a sprawling, vinelike stature. Astragalus membranaceous, the species used medicinally, grows up to 6 feet tall and has an appearance similar to licorice, another member of the large Astragalusgenus. Some herbalists believe that the North American milk vetch, A. americus has many of the same properties and may even be a wild, medicinal Astragalus.
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 Astragalus was known in the time of first century Greek physician Dioscorides, and the word itself is even more ancient, deriving from a Greek word meaning "anklebone". Ankle bones were once used as a form of dice, and one conjecture is that Astragalus so named because the rattling seedpods sounded like rolling dice. |
Common Typos:
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Astragalus Medicinal Uses
