Astragalus root

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Astragalus

Scientific Name: Astragalus membranaceous

Part used: Root

In a word: Recovery Plant

Uses: Powerfully stimulates vitality, excellent in convalescence, fatigue, general rundown states

Astragalus is grown almost exclusively in Asia, and with the aim of understanding its importance, I thought we would take a crash course in the Chinese medical system. As they say, when in Rome, don’t run around speaking Greek. Though Westerners tend to think of Chinese medicine, or at least what they know of it – acupuncture, massage therapy, and the like – as something new, it is only new to us. When the Europeans were still wearing bearskins and bopping future dates over the head with clubs, the Chinese were scientifically studying plants and recording their findings. Their medical system is hundreds of years older than ours, and they have had a long time to work out the kinks. I bother pointing this out because most Westerners look at Chinese medicine a bit askance. When you realize how old the system is, you may not question it quite as much.

One of the oldest medical documents in china dates to somewhere between 200 and 100 BC Named the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic, it forms the philosophical foundation for Chinese medicine. The book espouses proper diet, physical fitness, and the use of herbs to stay well. It may have taken us Westerners 2,100 years to figure this out, but at last we are starting to see what the writers of the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic already knew. One of the 13 questions the Yellow Emperor asks his doctors in this important piece of literature is why, unlike in days gone by, prayer is no longer sufficient to bring about health. The doctors respond that people are living hectic, unhealthy lives and that prayer is just not enough anymore. They insist that in the "modern" world (remember, this is 200 BC) folks have to do more to stay healthy. Sound familiar? This is precisely where we are today – we too have to do more to stay well.

Astragalus is an extraordinary body balancer that has been in use for the past 2,000 years

The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic views the human being as part of the natural world, subject to the same rules that apply to the other parts. If you don’t’ water a plant, it withers and dies; if you don’t water a man, he withers and dies. Disease happens when the body gets out of balance. We’ve all used phrases like "she worked herself to death" and "he drove himself crazy," and we all know what it’s like to work so hard on a project for so long that you come down with a whopper of a cold when it’s done. In essence, this first Chinese medical book establishes the same thought: if you live out of balance, you are going to get sick.

The important distinction between Chinese and Western medicine becomes clear at this point. Chinese medicine is all about balancing the body so that you never get sick. Western medicine is all about picking up the pieces once the system has broken down.

Whereas the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic is a statement of philosophy, another Chinese document, The Divine Husbandman’s Classic of the Materia Medica, is the book that tells what to do, when to do it, and under what circumstances. Said to have been compiled in the first century AD and by a "divine husbandman" at that, the volume goes into the specifics of bringing the body into balance. It includes 252 plants, 45 minerals, and 67 animal substances that promote permanent health. Enter our next plant that could save your life.

Listed in The Divine Husbandman’s Classic is a number-one health-keeping plant, Astragalus, that body balancer extraordinaire, has been in continuous use for the past 2,000 years. I hate to pull rank, but our little Western pills have only been around for a century, and the doubter out there should probably take the cotton out of his or her ears at this point and put it in his or her mouth. Does Astragalus work? Of course it does.

The Astragalus that makes its way into the Chinese pharmacy is actually the root of the plant. The plant itself is a member of the highly helpful and healthful legume family, which also includes clover and licorice. Its scientific name, Astragalus membranaceous, or "the Astragalus with lots of membranes," refers to the fact that the root is filled with them. They readily pull apart and shred into a million smaller pieces, rather like tissue paper. The roots used medicinally are harvested in several provinces, then shipped from those points to the rest of the country and the world.

In Chinese medicine, different herbs are said to enter the body through different paths: Astragalus enters through the lung and spleen channels. As such, it is thought to act as a tonic for these organs. The common symptoms of someone in need of Astragalus are chronic fatigue, lack of appetite, and chronic diarrhea, all said to be the body’s way of telling the patient that his or her spleen isn’t working well and needs a boost. Other physical problems for which Astragalus is the treatment are: anorexia, arthritis, cancer, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, malaria, inflammation of the kidneys, painful urination, a prolapsed uterus, stomach, or anus, uterine bleeding and weakness, edema, water retention, skin ulcers that won’t heal, fever, lack of stamina, and overall weakness.

Just for fun, let’s check out some of these claims with the modern scientific community and see what they have learned about Astragalus. The extracts of Astragalus have been found to kill bacteria and lower blood pressure. Its blood-pressure lowering activity is said to be due to the gamma-aminobutyric acid contained within the plant. When it is injected into animals, they experience a drop in blood pressure apparently due to direct dilation of the blood vessels. This indicates that the plant would indeed be useful in treating someone with high blood pressure. Its ability to lower blood sugar levels explains its usefulness in treating diabetes.

Astragalus is one of the classic Chinese plants used to strengthen the respiratory tract and fight upper respiratory infections. Chemicals contained in the root have been found to strengthen the cells that make up the lungs. Its tonic effect combined with its antibacterial effect explains why Astragalus is a good plant for someone with a lung infection.

Kidneys are the organs that pump the water out of your body, and what goes out with this water? Harmful toxins. Astragalus has a long-acting diuretic effect on humans which substantiates its use in treating swelling and water retention. In addition to getting the kidneys pumping, Astragalus tones the organ itself.

In a bizarre experiment, the Chinese found that the stamina of mice given Astragalus enemas and douches was much increased in swimming tests. The conclusion is that Astragalus might likewise give the human body increased stamina, and who couldn’t use that?

In yet another study, the Chinese found that mice fed Astragalus for a number of days were able to protect themselves from absorbing a toxic chemical into their livers. This is saying that the body effectively eliminated the toxin – no small thing. In a world filled with environmental- and self-pollution, our livers have to work overtime, and a liver tonic is what everybody needs.

For practical, day-to-day use, Astragalus increases the energy and builds resistance to disease. It acts as a tonic to the blood, lungs, kidneys, and spleen. The Chinese believe that it warms the blood and balances the energies in the internal organs. Remember, a balanced body is one that doesn’t get sick, and that’s our goal: staying well so that we don’t waste our personal-leave days lying in front of the television. Aside from being a tonic for the blood, lungs, kidneys, and spleen, Astragalus also directs medicines into those parts of the body. It’s what is known as an assisting herb. If you are having a problem with your lungs, Astragalus will shoot the herb you are taking for it straight to the place it will do the most good.

Astragalus is the plant the Chinese recommend when you have used up all your vitality. It is not, of course, so powerful that you can continually abuse your body and never pay the piper, but when occasions of stress occur, Astragalus can help you get by with minimal bodily damage. If it helped those little mice in their swimming tests, it may help you make it through the holiday season, your daughter’s wedding, or final exams.

Practitioners’ Advice

When is a good time to use Astragalus? Firstly, if you are in need of a good general tonic, Astragalus is an excellent choice. As it stimulates general health and immune function, no tonic could be better. Secondly, if you find yourself coming down with infection after infection, once again, Astragalus is a reasonable option. Prior to and after exposing yourself to infectious disease – like after visiting your nephews when they have chicken pox or when you have taken a lost distance flight are other instances when it comes in handy! A last but very important use is when you are recovering from an illness. Recovery or convalescence does not get much attention these days, but, it is important to take the time to get well. After a traumatic illness Astragalus is an excellent choice.

QUICK REVIEW

History: Long used in Asia for energy & to combat infectious disease

Science: Contains polysaccharides that stimulate the immune system

Practitioners opinion: Excellent for those suffering from exhaustion or those exhausted by infectious disease

Directions: Tincture (1:5, 45% alcohol): 5ml 3 times daily