 | ||
| Image via: Herbal Extract Plus |
Astragalus has been used in Traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years and it is still being used in this current day. Astragalus membranaceus plant (Astragalus Huáng Qí), is in the, legume, Fabaceae, and Faboideae family. The Fabaceae also known as Leguminose, that are quite large and economically important to flowering plants; they commonly known as the legumes, beans, and pea family. The legume family is the largest of the flowering plants. Fabaceae are mostly herbs, however, it includes shrubs and trees that grows in both temperate and tropical climates. Faboideae is the subfamily of this plant and Astragalus has a large genus of about 3000 species of herbs and shrubs. Some of these species of Astragalus have the toxin swainsonine that is poisonous and is harmful to livestock. I will add, that swainsonine is also used in some chemotherapy drugs. Make sure to check if you are on chemotherapy, they affects maybe different than it is in animals; so check with your health provider. My advice is to look into a more holistic approach that heals; minus all of the side effects that chemotherapy has because there are PLENTY of other options.
 |
| Astragalus root: Image via: Aliexpress |
 |
| Photo: Ta'llah Saadiq Nehru: Organic Astragalus root powder |
The Astragalus plant is known as a protector, a shield for the immune system, and for the overall wellness of your health. It strengthens the immune system as it forms a defense mechanism against pernicious threats; so, it is excellent for those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, herpes, or can be used as preventive medicine for those dis-eases, with guidance from a certified practicing Holistic or Naturopathic practitioner.
This plant is great also for stress; taking this herb will aid your body to adapt to it. Stress destroys the immune and nervous systems which causes the blood to inflame. The depth of the immune function of this herb helps it promote normal healthy levels of specific cells and tissue function. This plant is not only an anti-oxidant, but also, an anti-inflammatory; so it will give the cells the oxygen that it needs to regenerate properly. It is also great for the liver (a tonic is usually made for the liver), spleen, kidneys, kidney dis-ease, allergies, common cold, upper respiratory infections, asthma, chronic fatigue, mood, stamina/endurance (athletic performance), diabetes, chest pain (angina), heart dis-ease/heart failure, high blood pressure, anemia, blood disorders (Hepatitis B), hearing loss (sudden due to loud noises or deafness), menopausal symptoms, and fibromyalgia. This herb can also be applied onto to skin which it will increase the circulation in the area that it is needed in and it will to speed up a wound in its healing process when it is applied the area of that wound.
Astragalus with a combination of other herbs can help to treat breast, lung, and cervical cancer when taken orally.
Side effects of this herb is not really known, but, it is advised for pregnant women and women who are breast feeding, not to ingest, it may be toxic to the fetus/newborn. Also, for those with auto immune dis-eases such as lupus (SLE systemic lupus erythematosus), Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), muscular sclerosis (MS) to avoid Astragalus because it may just increase and worsen these
conditions.
If you are to purchase this herb in an extract, make sure you read to see if it is organic and alcohol free. It will state it right on the top part on the front part of the labeling on the bottle. If it doesn't, then you know it has alcohol in it; which is normal in the process of extracts. It is the simple fact, that many do not want the alcohol version of extracts and they are given this option by the manufacturer.
This herb can be mixed with organic licorice root, Ashwagandha root, wild oats, holy basil, ginseng, Ligustrum lucidum, Chinese skullcap, Reishi mushrooms, Maitake mushrooms, burdock root, black cohosh, red raspberry leaves, Buplerum; this is not a complete list of herbs, research and questioning is still needed on your end. If you are to drink it in a herbal blend it is 1 tsp of the root, leaves, or flowers to one cup of water; preferably alkaline water that is higher than a 7.0 pH, but, no higher than a 11 pH. That is when the water goes back to being acidic that causes inflammation in the blood due to the lack of alkaline (antioxidant/anti-inflammatory), that oxygenates the cells that helps regenerate them instead of them degenerating (free radicals), by attacking each other. The more measurement of herbs by the teaspoon that you add; the more you must increase the liquid to one cup per each teaspoon being used for the other herbs. The Astragalus powder can be sprinkled in to soups, smoothies, and juices also. 1 tsp to 1 cup of liquids. This herb can also be taken in supplement form also just make sure that if you are in a plant based life style such as myself that the castings around that pill is not made with glycerin/gelatin that has animal fat in it; the pig to be exact You want a vegetable glycerin/gelatin instead that is plant based; so make sure to read the label on the back of the product. If you are going to take this herb, do not self medicate with any other root without the proper knowledge, training, and guidance from a trained professional. The above dosage is to give you an idea ONLY of what is needed.
As a reminder, if you are on prescription medications; you must NEVER mix herbs with it. Most doctors will inform you to wait 3-4 hours before or after your prescription medication, but, here's the thing, sometimes that pharmaceutical mediation will interact with herbs in such a dangerous way that it can harm you and even take your life. So please be wise and not the fool when it comes to your health and seek the proper care from a certified health professional.
I live by the motto, "prevention before cure!" Cheers to optimum health and healthy living! Hotep!
Each One Teach One
Sources:
GaiaHerbs
WebMD
Altmedicine
