Blog #41- ASTRAGALUS, Astragalus membranaceus
Astragalus is a well known immune tonic. The roots of the plant are used. It can take several years for the plant to grow enough root stock to be able to harvest. Depending on conditions it can take 3-5 years before one can harvest. The roots are harvested in the fall. The roots can be thinly sliced and dried for later use. It makes a lovely tea and is wonderful to add in bone broth or soup stock. The plant prefers well drained soil. Astragalus does not like it’s roots damp. It is easy to grow. It can grow 4-5” tall. It produces delicate yellow flowers from midsummer through late autumn and forms a small pea like seed pod. Astragalus is in the legume family. It fixes nitrogen into the soil and can make a long term cover crop.
Astragalus is one of those herbs that I don’t think to tincture. It is one that I think of as food. I sometimes cook rice or quinoa in Astragalus decoction. If you do choose to tincture it, many find that a combined alcohol and water extraction makes the best medicine. Some people make a strong decoction and stabilize it with alcohol, so it is shelf stable at 25-30% alcohol. Astragalus can help strengthen the digestive system and nourish the respiratory system. In the video, I find myself questioning the claims that Astragalus is the ultimate herb for Lyme. For many, it is indeed very helpful, but Lyme treatment is not a one size fits all approach.
Dr. Axe’s article on Astragalus
Research:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5758356/
Anti-Aging Implications of Astragalus Membranaceus (Huangqi): A Well-Known Chinese Tonic
Astragalus saponins Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in Mouse Macrophages
In vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effects of Astragalus membranaceus
*The statements made in the video and on this page are not approved by the FDA. LymeCompass.net is NOT offering medical advice. This information is for educational purposes only. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard or read on this website.