What is Astragalus Root?
Introduction This informative article is about the herb known as the Astragalus root. The name actually refers to a genus of around 2,000 species of herbs. It is also known as milk-vetch, goat’s-thorn, Astragalus membranaceus, ogi (Japanese), hwanggi (Korean), and huang qi (Chinese). So if you went to your local oriental Chinese store, you could find it under the name “huang qi”. Chinese doctors have been using the Astragalus root for years to stimulate the immune system, in order to fight common colds. Astragalus is the primary energy tonic of traditional Asian medicine. It can be consumed in soup or as a tea made from the roots of the plant. The plant itself has long stems bearing paired, pointed leaves and purple flowers. The roots of the Astragalus are white when dug out of the ground but become yellow as they are dried. Possible Benefits The Astragalus plant has caught the interest of the modern world. For example, a recent study was done on the herb at the University of Texas Med
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) is a botanical member of the pea family that is native to China, Korea, and Mongolia. Also known by the common names of milk vetch or huang qi, the root of astragalus is believed to possess several medicinal properties. In fact, astragalus root has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries. In the U.S., it is available as a dietary supplement. Researchers believe that the medicinal benefit of astragalus root is due to the presence of more than 40 constituents, including bioflavonoids, polysaccharides, and coumarins. The root also contains several amino acids and trace minerals. Of particular interest, however, is astragaloside, a saponin that appears to provide protection of the heart by inhibiting the expression of certain proteins and improving the transport of calcium between cells under stress. This activity has been observed in studies in which myocardial cell injury was induced by hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) and subsequent
