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Astragalus is a generic term for a group of plants in the legume family, most of which are valued for their medicinal properties. The genus Astragalus is represented by perennial herbs, shrubs and even shrubs. Astragalus stems are developed, covered with soft hairs. The central shoot goes deep underground. Small, oblong leaf blades are lanceolate. The leaves grow in pairs, are collected in bunches, consisting of 10-15 such pairs. In May, white, purple or yellow bud-shaped flowers bloom on the shoots of astragalus. An inflorescence is formed from 10 flowers, on which bean-shaped fruits appear a month later.
If we talk about the medicinal form of the plant, then the people call it a cat’s claw. The history of the use of astragalus in folk medicine, cooking, cosmetology has more than one hundred years. Official medicine uses astragalus as an independent phytopreparation, and also as a component of pharmaceutical dosage forms.
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What does astragalus root help with?
Astragalus root surpasses ginseng in its restorative, immunomodulatory properties. It is indicated for hypertension, angina, edema, chronic and acute glomerulonephritis, rheumatic pain, edema of various etiologies, uterine prolapse and renal hypertension, scrofula, as well as for chronic heart failure of the first and second degree, accompanied by tachycardia.
Astragalus root is dug up in spring and autumn, the fibrous roots and root base are removed, dried in the sun and used as a tonic.
Used in cosmetics
Astragalus not only heals and tones, but also helps to preserve beauty. Women of all ages can use astragalus at home to create natural, effective formulations.
Anti-Aging mask
The anti-aging composition is prepared from equal parts of the infusion of the roots or herbs of astragalus, honey, cottage cheese. The ingredients are mixed and applied to a clean face. After 15 minutes, the mask is washed off with warm water.
Compress for problem skin
The procedure helps to cleanse the skin, reduce wrinkles, improve the skin. To do this, a gauze napkin is moistened in an infusion of astragalus and applied to the face. The procedure is carried out for 20 minutes, and the napkin is moistened every 5 minutes.
Anti-cellulite wrap
Take equal parts of infusion of astragalus and honey. The ingredients are thoroughly mixed and evenly applied to problem areas of the body, after which they are wrapped with cling film and insulated. After 30 minutes, the film is removed, the skin is washed with warm water.
The chemical composition of astragalus
The set of active biochemical substances in the composition of the herb Astragalus woolly and Astragalus membranous root is somewhat different. However, all active compounds belong to the same chemical group, which means that they realize similar therapeutic effects.
In the composition of the herb astragalus woolly-flowered, the following were found:
Triterpene glycosides, saponins.
Flavonoids, 5 types.
Tannins.
Coumarin, oxycoumarin.
Bassorin, Arab.
Essential oil.
Astragalus membranous root is distinguished by a slightly different set of biochemical components:
triterpene saponins.
4 types of flavonoids.
Astragalosides of three types.
Sterile.
Alkaloids.
Phytosteroids.
Fatty and essential oils.
Common to both types of astragalus is the presence of vitamins A, E, C and about 15 essential trace elements. It is worth noting that astragalus is considered one of the best sources of selenium.
Preparation of infusions, decoctions, tinctures
Infusion
Astragalus infusion heals the heart, helps maintain normal blood pressure. Can be used for nervous disorders. To do this, it is added to warm bath water.
To prepare the composition, take 2 tablespoons of herbs, pour 250 ml of boiling water. The container is covered with a lid, left to infuse in a dark place. The decoction is taken three times a day, two tablespoons.
To normalize the work of the intestines, the infusion is prepared in a slightly different way. Take 1 tablespoon of dried astragalus root, pour a glass of boiling water and leave to infuse under the lid. After cooling, the infusion is filtered and used as an enema.
Tincture
Astragalus tincture is prepared with medical alcohol or good quality vodka. The composition is effective for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. The ratio of vegetable raw materials to alcohol is 1:3. Astragalus is poured with vodka or ethyl alcohol, the container is closed with a lid and placed in a dark place for 14 days. In the process of infusion, the container is periodically shaken.
After two weeks, the tincture is filtered. Take three times a day before meals, 30 drops. The course of treatment is 10 days. Repeated intake of tincture is allowed after a week break.
decoction
For cooking, take two tablespoons of dried herbs, pour a glass of boiling water and put in a water bath. After 15 minutes, the container is removed from the oven, left to cool. After filtering, boiled water is added to the infusion to a total volume of 200 ml.
Infusion take 2 tablespoons three times a day. Continuous reception is 6 weeks. You can repeat the course after two weeks of break.
Recommended dosage – scientific data
In addition, studies show that the following oral doses are beneficial for certain conditions:
Congestive heart failure: 2-7,5 grams of crushed astragalus twice a day for 30 days, along with usual treatment [26].
Blood sugar control: 40-60 grams of astragalus in the form of a decoction for up to four months [27].
Kidney diseases: Based on research, oral doses up to 60 grams per day for four months appear to be safe for most people. However, there are no studies to determine the long-term safety of high doses. [28].
Seasonal allergies: two capsules of astragalus extract 80 mg daily for six weeks [29].
The use of astragalus in various diseases
Hypertension. An infusion is prepared from 20 g of dried herb (one tablespoon), a tablespoon of crushed astragalus roots and a glass of boiling water. The composition is insisted under the lid for about two hours. Take up to 5 times a day before meals, one tablespoon. The course is 15-20 minutes. A second course is allowed after a break of 1 month.
Atherosclerosis, angina. The infusion prepared according to the above recipe is taken 30-60 minutes before meals, 100-125 ml three times a day. The course is 14 days.
Myocardial infarction. Astragalus herb and roots can be used for preventive and therapeutic purposes. They take 7 tablespoons of vegetable raw materials, pour two liters of water and put on fire. On low heat, the composition is brought to a boil and boiled for 10 minutes. Insist under a closed lid for an hour, then filter. The finished product is poured into a bottle, closed with a lid and stored in the refrigerator. Take for 2-3 weeks three times a day after meals. Single serving – 1/2 cup.
Cardiosclerosis. To prepare the infusion, take a tablespoon of crushed astragalus roots or herbs, brew 300 ml of boiling water and leave for one hour. Strained infusion is taken 1/2 cup three times a day half an hour before meals. The course of admission is 5 weeks.
Disorder of cerebral circulation. Take a tablespoon of astragalus root powder or dry grass in a glass of boiling water. Insist for at least four hours, filter. During the day, the infusion is drunk 3-4 times 15 minutes before meals for two weeks.
Diseases of the joints. The infusion is prepared from two tablespoons of plant base and a liter of boiling water. The composition is boiled over low heat for 10-15 minutes, left to infuse overnight. The entire volume is drunk during the day. Treatment course – 3 months. It is allowed to use alcohol tincture 1 teaspoon before meals, three times a day. The course of treatment is 1 month. Simultaneously with internal use, tincture is rubbed on diseased joints.
Disease of the stomach, duodenum. Boil the composition of a glass of boiling water and a tablespoon of the plant base over low heat. After straining, the remedy is taken 3-4 tablespoons half an hour before meals. The course of continuous admission is a month.
Diarrhea, vomiting. Infusion, prepared in the usual way, drink 100 ml three times a day. It is allowed to use leaves or root, powdered in dry form, 1/2 teaspoonful, washed down with water. The composition is taken 3-4 times a day.
Liver Disease. For treatment, an infusion, powder from the roots or leaves of astragalus is used. The powder is taken in dry form, 1/2 teaspoon one and a half hours before meals, without drinking. The decoction is drunk three times a day, 100 ml. The course of treatment is one and a half months. After 5 days, the course is repeated.
Kidney. Infusion prepared in the usual way, take 1 tablespoon up to 5 times a day half an hour before meals for two months. After 10 days, the course is repeated.
Edema. The infusion is prepared from a tablespoon of plant base and 500 ml of boiling water. In a thermos, the composition is left for 8-10 minutes. After straining, the infusion is taken every two hours for two sips. Treatment continues for 15 days.
Diabetes. The traditional infusion is taken for three months, one tablespoon three times a day, half an hour before meals.
Bronchitis, wheezing, dry cough. The infusion is prepared from 3 tablespoons of vegetable raw materials and a liter of boiling water. The composition is kept until it cools to an acceptable temperature. Infusion take two tablespoons three times a day, an hour before meals. The course of treatment is 10 days.
Dental diseases. A gruel of fresh astragalus greens relieves toothache. To do this, it is kept in the mouth in the area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe problem tooth. With stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontitis, the infusion is taken orally and used to rinse the mouth.
External bleeding, wounds. Fresh grass leaves are passed through a meat grinder. The resulting slurry is applied twice a day to the affected area, fixed with a bandage. Purulent wounds are treated with alcohol tincture. In case of bleeding, an infusion of astragalus is taken orally, 100 ml three times a day before meals.
Burns. Compresses with infusion of roots or herbs of astragalus protect the burned areas of the skin from infection, stimulate regeneration processes. To do this, the grass is soaked, laid out on gauze, and then applied to burns. The procedure is done twice a day. Strained infusion of roots or herbs irrigate wound surfaces and cover with gauze napkins.
Allergic reactions, urticaria. For treatment, an alcohol tincture of astragalus is taken orally, 15-20 drops before meals. The course of treatment is 14 days. A decoction of astragalus greens is added to the bath. The composition is prepared at the rate of 5 tablespoons of raw materials per 10 liters of water. A full bath is about 200 liters. The plant base is boiled in two liters of water, infused for half an hour, after which it is added to the bath water. Water procedures last from 5 to 10 minutes, are carried out every other day for three weeks.
Uterine bleeding. An infusion of herbs or astragalus root is taken half an hour before meals three times a day. Continuous reception can last a month, after two weeks the course is repeated.
Myoma, fibromyoma. Prepare an infusion for douching from 6 tablespoons of vegetable raw materials and a liter of water. After cooling, take 200 ml and perform the procedure. Do 5 douches per day. The course of treatment is one and a half months.
Nevrozы. A soothing infusion is drunk before meals in half a glass half an hour before meals.
Insomnia. Chronic insomnia is treated with a mixture of astragalus decoction made with wine. To do this, 5 tablespoons of crushed roots or herbs are poured into 0,5 liters of port or Cahors wine and put on a slow fire. The composition is boiled for 15-20 minutes, removed from the stove, wrapped and left for an hour. Strained broth is taken in a glass before bedtime.
Age changes. In two cups of boiling water, brew 1/2 tablespoon of astragalus, leave for half an hour. Drink before each meal, 2 tablespoons. The infusion is recommended for people over 60 years of age.
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