Astragalus
USDA Certified Organically Grown Medicinal Herbs, Certified by Global Culture
Astragalus - Featured Herb for 2009
Astragalus (Huang Qi, Membranceus, Chinese Milk Vetch, Yellow Leader) has long been considered one of the most important herbs utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Astragalus has become increasingly recognized throughout the western herbal community as an important adaptogen as well and is widely prescribed for a long list of ailments.
Astragalus originates from the grasslands and forest edges of northern and Eastern China as well as Mongolia. It is commonly referred to as Milk Vetch. There are many species of milk vetch world wide but the specific variety of Astragalus Membranceus is the species which has been used medicinally in China for over 2,000 years and has also been adopted for use in western herbalism. Astragalus is a long lived perennial with very pretty, lush green foliage. It's leaves have the feathery quality of other vetches and the distinctive legume form to its leaf structure.
Astragalus prefers full sun and can thrive in relatively poor soil. It is the 4 to 5 year old root which is utilized medicinally and the long tap roots and feeder roots are easier to obtain if the plant is in a deep, well drained soil. It is quite drought tolerant once established and will suffer in a soggy site, so a sandy soil is preferable.
Medicinally, Astragalus is considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in TCM. It is often a primary ingredient in Chinese Formulas and is known in both Chinese and Western herbalism for its powerful immune stimulating properties. TCM Values its use for enhancing the bodies defenses, as an aid in spleen deficiency, as a tonic for the lungs including chronic ailments like asthma, and as a general chi tonic for any individual weakened by an ongoing condition.
The Astragalus Root is commonly eaten in China as a medicinal food with the roots boiled into soups with other vegetables. In Western Herbalism, Astragalus is known as a powerful adaptogen which can strengthen a persons ability to handle the stress of any underlying or chronic illness through strengthening the immune system, lowering blood sugar, reducing inflammation and feeding the hormonal system.
Astragalus is commonly recommended when fighting a cold or flu, it has also shown great promise for AIDS Patients whose immune systems are chronically compromised. Cancer patients undergoing radiation and Chemotherapy have utilized Astragalus during and after treatment to help with side effects and improve damaged immune and adrenal systems. It has also been used for kidney imbalance, to lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and improve liver function.
The ongoing discussion about planting traditionally Chinese grown Herbs here in North America continues. There are those who believe that all Chinese herbs must come from China, from the province they have historically been grown or collected in for centuries in order to have the specific medicinal qualities remain the same. There are others who are hard at work farming here in the US trying to mimic the conditions of those specific provinces of China here in specific parts of the US and they are growing and scientifically analyzing their medicinal s and finding that some are just as potent as their Chinese counterparts if grown correctly. There are valid arguments on both sides of this issue, but the freshness and guaranteed purity of domestically grown Chinese Medicinals is an obvious advantage for the best quality medicine.
Growing Astragalus as a backyard medicinal is a viable way to take part in this ongoing experiment of growing Chinese Medicinals in the US. It is a long term investment as the plant must be in the ground for at least 4 years before harvesting. Astragalus needs little fertilizer or pampering and can reach a height of 2 feet with yellowish pea-like flowers ripening to pretty little seed pods. Collecting seed in the Fall is another gift from this useful plant, propagation from seed is not difficult. A bed of Astragalus will attract beneficial insects, pollinators and butterflies as well as provide you with a bountiful harvest of beautiful, fresh, organically grown (I Hope) Astragalus roots from your own back yard to add to your family's medicine chest. What better investment in the future is there???
Astragalus has become increasingly recognized throughout the herbal world as an important adaptogen.
Very hardy perennial to zone 4.
To order Astragalus click here.
NOTE: We require a minimum order of SIX plants (CA Nursery License CO354.001)
