Astragalus has been used as an immunity booster in China for nearly 4,000 years. Astragalus is derived from the root of a plant (Astragalus Membranaceus) in the pea family. It is also known as milk vetch root (referring to astragalus species that grow in the United States) and huang-qi.
Analysis shows that Astragalus contains polysaccharides, monosaccharides, flavonoid, alkaloid, including choline and betaine, folic acid, various amino acids, mucoitin, gum, cellulose, picrorhiza, and fourteen mineral trace elements, including selenium, zinc and iron.
It is an adaptogen, that is, it has a balancing effect on bodily functions. Astragalus is used by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine to strengthen or tone the body’s overall vitality, improve digestion, and support the spleen. Chinese often keep it in their water container to get the tonic effect constantly. Studies confirm it contains medicinally active compounds, including a polysaccharide that stimulates the immune system.
It may protect body cells against heavy metals and chemical toxins. Astragalus is a good source of the essential trace mineral selenium. It is often combined in formulas with ginseng and other Chinese herbs. Tones the spleen and is useful in spleen deficiency problems such as poor appetite, fatigue and diarrhea. Also useful for prolapse syndromes such as prolapsed uterus, stomach, or anus. Herbal companies offer it fresh or dried and in capsules. concentrated drops, tinctures, and extracts.
Chinese drug store sell dry roots, some stores sell powdered root, some market the extract, while others make it the central ingredient of herbal teas. While some use only the root, others also use the leaves and flowers.
If it is taken separately, oral doses typically range from 1 gram to 30 grams of powdered root per day. Although doses can be much higher, some evidence shows that doses above 28 grams per day are no more effective than lower doses. Textbooks on Chinese herbs recommend taking 9-15 grams of the crude herb per day in decoction form. A decoction is made by boiling the root in water for a few minutes and then brewing the tea. When one quart of water used in this process, it is easy to drink the tea throughout the day. 3-5ml of tincture TID is sometimes recommended.