Botanical Name: Astragalus membranaceus
Common Name:
- Also, known as: Milk vetch, Huang qi, Radix astragali
Origin: China
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Root
General Information:
Astragalus root is native to China. It has been used in Tradional Chinese Medicine from thousands of years. However, it has quickly integrated itself into Western Herbalist. It is one of the most important herb commonly used by Western Herbalist.
Astragalus is an herbaceous perennial, growing between 20-40 centimeters tall. It grows in grassy regions and on mountain sides, requiring lots of exposure to the sun. When grown for cultivation, the plants are traditionally harvested after four or five years, with the roots collected in spring or fall. The roots are yellow in color and have a sweet, moistening taste with a firm, fibrous texture
There are more than 2,000 different species in the Astragalus genus. No other species are known to have the same qualities as Astragalus membranaceus, although a few are used medicinally.
It comes from a type of bean or legume. While there are multiple species of astragalus, most astragalus supplements contain Astragalus membranaceus. The herb is said to offer multiple health benefits for multiple conditions.
How to use:
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered herb to any super food herbal smoothie, sauces, spreads and even cookies. Also for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. This method is also known as “Electuaries”.
Capsules: Encapsulating your own powdered herb at home, gives you assurance that the contents of the capsules are pure herb and no filler or any other products. These capsules can be taken with liquid.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.
Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.