The folks over at www.asianhealthsecrets.com just released an article on a little known Chinese herb called Astragalus. Here is an excerpt from their website:
“Chinese medicine values Astragalus menbranaceus root, a member of the vetch family, as a major health-giving, energy-enhancing herb.
Known as a Qi-tonic, it is recommended for chronic weakness, fatigue, low immunity, and abnormal or excess sweating. It is sweet in flavor and very nourishing.
Recently, I heard some exciting research about astragalus that was news to me: It is rejuvenating because an enzyme increased by astragalus called telomerase prevents DNA strands from collapsing and dying. That way the genetic material in the DNA is not lost. In other words, astragalus helps maintain vitality and life itself in the cells. Here is an excerpt from an upcoming book of mine that gives a lot more information about astragalus.”
To read the rest go to http://www.asianhealthsecrets.com/letha/?p=1852.
Gerry
Astragalus (huang qi) is notably hard to digest in those with weakened digestive systems, and will readily lead to gas and bloating, and can increase feelings of cloudy head. taken when one has a cold, it can “trap” the pathogen (i.e. strengthen) at the same time as it strengthens the body. probably best to use this herb cautiously if you can’t make a chinese medical diagnosis.
better to use ginseng (ren shen/xi yang shen) or atractylodis (bai zhu). even so, single herbs outside of a balanced formula are much more likely to give unwanted side effects.
Comment by Matt — November 19, 2010 @ 6:57 pm
drinking a tea of astragalus isn’t hard to digest.
Comment by alexes — September 9, 2011 @ 6:32 am