Astragalus root has several different uses. The following combinations illustrate this point:
Astragalus Root + Ginseng Root - to benefit the Qi and enhance immunity. Particularly when weak Qi results in shortness of breath, fatigue, low appetite.
Astragalus Root + Cicumfuaga (black cohosh) and/or Bupleurum - for prolapse (falling down) of the organs due to weakening of the Qi's lifting quality. Examples of prolapse are hernia, hemmerhoids, varicose veins, uterine and anal prolapse.
Astragalus Root + Ledbouriella + Attractylodis - for spontaneous or exessive sweating due to weak protective Qi.
Astragalus Root + diuretics - for edema in the upper body. This condition is marked by facial swelling, sweating, aversion to wind, and reduced urination.
Astragalus Root + Cinnamon branches (Gui Zhi) - for pain and/or numbness due to low Qi and Blood resulting in poor flow.
Astragalus Root + Oyster shell (Mu Li) - for night sweats caused by deficient Yin and Qi.
Astragalus Root + Dioscorea (Yam root) - for diabetes.
Chinese Medicine and Immunity
In China, doctors were strengthening immunity over a thousand years ago. They understood the concept of immune energy, which they called the Wei Qi, or defensive energy..
Astragalus Root for the Immune System
HUANG QI
(Milk Vetch root) - Astragalus Root
Astragalus Benefits
In the Essentials of the Materia Medica (1694 AD), ASTRAGALUS (Huang qi) was called "the senior of all herbs" . It tonifies the Spleen, Stomach, Qi and Blood, and Benefits the Wei Qi (immune system). Research has shown it to lower blood pressure and increase endurance and immunity. This herb is recognized for increasing the body's resistance and is now considered one of the world's greatest immune tonics.
The quality of astragalus root can be seen in its yellowish color. Yellow color indicates good quality.
Use: 9-30 gms. of whole herbs per day; or 3 - 5 grams per day of concentrate.
Superior Grade Whole Astragalus Root: 1 lb. ( use 9-30 grams of raw astragalus a day. Boil whole astragalus for 30 minutes)
Highest Quality Astragalus Extract (Use 3-9 grams of astragalus extract per day. Stir into any liquid and drink)
Powdered 5:1 Concentrated Astragalus Extract 100gms
Astragalus Root Herbal Medicine
Jade Shield
Astragalus Root Combination Used:
To boost immunity and relieve surface conditions
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Ingredients
Astragalus Root
Botanical Name: Astragalus Membricanaceus
English name: Milk-vetch root
Mandarin name: Huang Qi
Japanese name: Ogi
Taste: Sweet Nature: Warming, Extremely safe
Benefits: Benefits the Qi(Qi), Lifts the Yang, Strengthens the Spleen/ (pancreas), Tonifies the Wei Qi (defensive energy)
Ligustri Lucidi Fructus
Botanical Name: Ligustrum lucidum
English name: Privet fruit
Mandarin name: Nu Zhen Zi
Japanese name: Joteishi
Benefits: Nourishes and Tonifies the Liver and Kidney Yin ( This means: promotes the flow of energy and the storage of energy and blood), Strengthens the Jing (slows aging)
Atractylodis Rhizoma
Botanical Name: Atractylodis macrocephala
English name: Atractylodis rhizome
Mandarin name: Bai Zhu
Japanese name: Byakujutsu
Benefits: Stabilizes the Exterior, Benefits th Qi, Tonifies the Spleen/pancreas, Dries Dampness
Cinnamomi, Ramulus
Botanical Name: Cinnamomum cassia
English name: Cinnamon twig
Mandarin name: Gui Zhi
Japanese name: Keishi
Benefits:Adjusts the Protective Qi, Warms the Channels, Disperses Cold, Moves and Strenghens the Yang, Transforms Qi
Ledebouriellae Sesloidis Radix
Botanical Name: Ledebourilla or Saposhinikovia
English name: Siler
Mandarin name: Fang Feng
Japanese name: Bofu
Benefits: Releases the Exterior, Expels Wind Cold, Expels Wind Damp,
Astragalus Side Effects
Astragalus root is considered a grade 1 herb, meaning that it is one of the safest herbs used in Chinese medicine. Its only restrictions are, that it be used cautiously in people with known Yin deficiency with heat patterns. It should also not be used during a cold, flu, or similar disease, as astragalus could prolong these conditions.
There is suspicion, but little or no proof, that astragalus may counteract the immune-suppressing effects of drugs used to reduce the chances of rejection in transplant recipients, as well as corticosteroids. If you are taking any of these drugs, consult your phycisian before taking astragalus.
Astragalus Herb Research
Unfortunately there has been little research on the effects of astragalus root on humans. Most of the Chinese herb research is conducted by drug companies with the intention of developing pharmaceutical drugs. There is scant research on these herbs to prove or disprove their traditional uses. The following 3 research summaries were taken from the Chinese Materia Medica First edition by Bensky and Gamble, Eastland Press
Cardiovascular Effect of Astragalus in Animals
Decoctions of astragalus root lowered blood pressure when injected into dogs, cats, and rabbits. This effect was attributed to vasodialation
Urinary Effect of Astragalus root in animals and humans:
One study showed that astragalus had a prolonged diuretic effect when injected intravenously into rats, and dogs, and when taken orally by humans.
Renal Effect on rats
One researcher found that rats with experimentally induced glomerulonephritis, had significantly less protein in their urine when given powdered astragalus.
Titles of More Research on Potential Astragalus Benefits and Effects
Chen KT, Su CH, Hsin LH, et al. Reducing fatigue of athletes following oral administration of huangqi jianzhong tang. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2002;23(8):757-761.
Duan P, Wang ZM. [Clinical study on effect of Astragalus in efficacy enhancing and toxicity reducing of chemotherapy in patients of malignant tumor]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi.2002;22(7):515-517.
Hei ZQ, Zhang JJ, Lin SQ, et al. [Effects of Astragalus membranaceus injection on nitric oxide and endothelin concentration of intestinal mucosa after hemorrhage shock-reperfusion in rats]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2004;29(5):444-447.
Kim SH, Lee SE, Oh H, et al. The radioprotective effects of bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang: a prescription of traditional Chinesemedicine astragalus. J Chin Med. 2002;30(1):127-137.
Mao SP, Cheng KL, Zhou YF. [Modulatory effect of Astragalus membranaceus on Th1/Th2 cytokine in patients with herpes simplex keratitis]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2004;24(2):121-123.
Shao BM, Xu W, Dai H, et al. A study on the immune receptors for polysaccharides from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus, a Chinese medicinal herb. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004;320(4):1103-1111.
Shi FS, Yang ZG, Di GP. [Effect of Astragalus saponin on vascular endothelial cell and its function in burn patients]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2001;21(10):750-751.
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