What Is Astragalus Used for Today?
In the United States, astragalus has been presented as an immune stimulant useful for treating colds and flus . Many people have come to believe that they should take astragalus, like echinacea , at the first sign of a cold. The belief that astragalus can strengthen immunity has a partial basis in traditional Chinese medicine . The expression noted above, “stabilize the exterior,” means helping to create a “defensive shield” against infection. However, according to tradition, astragalus formulas should not be taken during the early stage of infections. To do so is said to resemble “locking the chicken-coop with the fox inside,” causing the infection to be “driven deeper.” Rather, astragalus is supposedly appropriate only for use while you’re healthy, for the purpose of preventing future illnesses.
