Chinese astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) belongs to the Fabaceae family. Genre Astragalus has more than 2500 species of annuals, herbaceous or shrubby perennials, from Europe, Asia or North America. In eastern Asia, one of these species, Astragalus gummifer, produces tragacanth gum, recognized for centuries for its emollient medicinal properties, against coughs, asthma and digestive problems. But Chinese astragalus seems to be used even more for its therapeutic virtues.
Astragalus, an immunity booster
Astragalus membranaceus, Chinese astragalus, membranous astragalus or Huang Qi in Chinese, is therefore a bushy perennial plant, 0.50 to 1.20 m high, native to northern and eastern China as far as Mongolia and Korea, where it grows along rivers, under -wood, in sandy soils. It is critically endangered because it is not cultivated. Its hairy stems bear many alternate deciduous leaves divided into 12 to 18 pairs of narrow leaflets, plus a terminal one.
In summer, the elongated pale yellow flowers gathered in clusters have a papilionaceous corolla characteristic of the Fabaceae. The same goes for fruits in small shiny pods containing kidney-shaped seeds.
The brown, cylindrical, thick, branched roots have a hard and fibrous, yellowish texture. This thick rhizome contains polysaccharides, flavonoids including isoflavonoids (calysosin, formononetin), triterpene saponosides (astragolosides), sterols…
The medicinal properties of astragalus
It has been used for its revitalizing properties in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, being one of the 50 fundamental herbs of this therapy.
It is the stimulating properties of the immune system that make the roots of astragalus famous in herbal medicine. In case of immune weakness, anemia or to prevent respiratory diseases, its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties are valuable. In cases of serious illness such as HIV or cancer, it can support chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
It appears toned and adaptogen (as the ginseng) for people suffering from stress, fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue.
Also qualified as an anti-aging plant, astragalus with its antioxidant properties prevents tissue and organ aging through neuroprotection, cardioprotection, hepatoprotection, etc.
Studies are being conducted to measure the immunostimulating effects of astragalus on cancer patients.
The root ofAstragalus membranaceus is listed on List A of traditionally used medicinal plants in the French Pharmacopoeia. It is authorized as a food supplement and can be purchased in pharmacies, herbalists or nature stores. It is presented and used in different ways, in cure of 1 to 2 months:
- in decoction: 15 to 30g of dried root / 1l (2 to 3 cups maximum / day), boil for 10 minutes, and leave to infuse for as long,
- in dried root powder: 4 to 7g / day to be taken in several times, to be mixed with yogurt, juice or herbal tea,
- in capsules, extracts or mother tincture, according to the instructions of the pharmacist.
Growing and Harvesting Astragalus
Chinese astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) can be grown in the ornamental garden, in a sunny position in light, even sandy, well-drained soil. Watering will be necessary in case of high temperatures. Despite its high hardiness (-17°C), if all its aerial parts disappear, they will be reborn the following spring. Moreover, cutting it back at the end of winter is recommended.
The flowers are melliferous and attract many pollinating insects.
The roots are taken in the fall from plants that are 4 to 7 years old, which makes it possible to obtain good-sized roots. It will be necessary to clean them and then dry them before reducing them to powder or small pieces.
Astragalus in the kitchen
To benefit from the benefits of Chinese astragalus, if you collect its roots, you can use them in cooking, in particular by adding a few pieces to a soup: its slightly sweet flavor will not harm your soups, on the contrary.
The use of plants for treatment must be done by first seeking advice from a doctor, pharmacist or herbalist. Regarding children, pregnant women, people with chronic and serious illnesses or taking medication, consultation with a doctor is required before self-medication that may cause adverse effects, including drug interactions.