By Cary Heather
Recommended Reading
Herbal Remedy Cures.
A Complete Book On Herbal Remedies.
A Directory Catalogue Of Herbal Remedies For Ailments A-z
Astragalus is used for fatigue, circulation, infections, stress and more. Recent studies have suggested astragalus may reduce negative effects of radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
Astragalus membranaceus
COMMON NAMES
Astragalus, Huang qi, Milk vetch
LATIN NAME
Astragalus membranaceus
FAMILY
Leguminosae
PART USED
Root
DESCRIPTION
A perennial herb, astragalus grows up to a foot tall, with a tough, fibrous root and some branches. The bark is brownish yellow, irregular, and wrinkled or furrowed. The flowers are yellowish white. Its leaves are divided into 12 to 18 pairs of leaflets.
HABITAT
Astragalus is indigenous to northern China. It is also cultivated in other parts of Asia. This herb thrives in sandy, well-drained soil that receives ample sun.
FOLKLORE AND TRADITIONAL USES
The Chinese characters used to represent "huang qi" have many levels of meaning. The character huang means "yellow" which alludes to both its yellow interior and what the Chinese consider to be the color of life-giving earth. The character qi means "venerable" which alludes to its superior status in Chinese medicine. When pronounced with different inflections, qi also means "vital force," "to eat," and "addiction to sensual pleasures."
MEDICINAL USES
Astragalus has been used for more than 2,000 years in traditional Chinese medicine as a diuretic and as an immuno-stimulant. It is commonly employed to treat diabetes and nephritis. In the United States it is used to strengthen immune function after cancer chemotherapy. Studies have shown that huang qi encourages bone marrow to produce more phagocytes, cells that destroy bacteria and viruses. These actions are attributed to huang qi's active constituents - glycans, which stimulate the action of phagocytes; polysaccharides, which enhance immune function; and saponins, which stimulate the growth of lymphocytes. Some believe that huang qi has the potential to treat HIV infection; further study is needed.
Where can I buy Astragalus?
ZooScape.com has a wide selection of Astragalus root capsules, powder, creams, salves and tea.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cary_Heather
Recommended Reading
Herbal Remedy Cures.
A Complete Book On Herbal Remedies.
A Directory Catalogue Of Herbal Remedies For Ailments A-z
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