July 8, 2002

ASTRAGALUS

Latin Name: Astragalus membranaceus

Alternate Names: Milk Vetch, Yellow Vetch, Huang Chi (Chinese)

Family: FABACEAE

Parts Used: Root.

Properties: Adaptogen, Adrenal Tonic, Antiviral, Blood Tonic, Chi Tonic, Circulatory Stimulant, Digestive Tonic, Diuretic, Hypotensive, Immune Stimulant, Stimulant, Tonic, Vasodilator.

Internal Uses: AIDS, Anemia, Cancer, Colds, Diabetes, Exhaustion, Fatigue, HIV, Hyperglycemia, Hypertension, Hypoglycemia, Immune Weakness, Incontinence, Lung Weakness, Night Sweats, Premature Ejaculation, Rectal Prolapse, Sperm Motility, Uterine Prolapse, Wasting Diseases, Weakness, Wounds

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

Patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation live longer and are more resistant to secondary infections when using Astragalus. It can help ameliorate bone marrow depression and gastrointestinal toxicity resulting from those two protocols. It is considered beneficial for the wei chi, the body's inherent protective energy. It stimulates interferon production, macrophage activity and antibody response and also inhibits free radicals. Astragalus reduces T suppresser cells. It also enhances the function of the adrenal cortex. It helps to build the blood and lowers blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Astragalus is also being studied to determine whether it benefits papillomavirus, herpes and cytomegaloviruges.

Culinary uses: Cook Astragalus into immune building soups with garlic, onions, carrots, shiitake mushrooms and miso.

Energetics: Sweet, Warm.

Chemical Constituents: Polysaccharides, asparagine, calcyosin, formononetin, astraggalosides, phytosterols, isomniine, kumatakenin, choline, betaine, linoleic acid, linolenic acid.

Contraindications: Do not use by itself during extreme infection. It tends to hold infection in the body, so if using during cases of infection, combine with diaphoretic herbs. Best to avoid in cases of skin disease. Not for people who are tense and severely congested or who have overactive immune systems.

Comments: The common name Astragalus also includes the species Astragalus mongolicus, Astragalus chinensis, and Astragalus complanatus, which are used interchangeably with Astragalus membranaceus

-- Phil in KS (cshomestead@planetkc.com), July 08, 2002

Answers

I planted Astragulus this year. It was listed with the salad greens but I thought it tasted very bitter. I guess I'd better get it into a soup! LOL.

-- Terry - NW Ohio (aunt_tm@hotmail.com), July 08, 2002.

Do you happen to have a picture of this one Cheryl??

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), July 08, 2002.

Found one! :-)

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), July 08, 2002.

Thank you, thank you. This one sounded so fascinating and I was wondering if perhaps I had some on my place. I am forever foraging and looking for beneficial plants. I don't recognize it though.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), July 08, 2002.

We have "crownvetch" growing here. Is this the same species?? The leaves look identical to the ones in the picture.

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), July 09, 2002.

I think they're related, but not the same species. (But I'm no expert for sure!!!) I found some info on crown vetch, and it's scientific name is Coronilla Varia. Its flowers are pink and purple balls, and appear plentifully during most of the summer. Here's a picture of crown vetch:

The leaves do look the same though!

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), July 09, 2002.

Too bad we don't have any of those little BLUSHING smiley faces here like they have at the other website :->. It isn't Astragulus that I planted as a salad green, it is Aragula. LOL. Blushing, red and embarrassed!! I thought it weird that it said the root was used and then when I saw the picture I knew I had made a big oops.

-- Terry - NW Ohio (aunt_tm@hotmail.com), July 09, 2002.