Astragalus: medicinal properties and use, contraindications

The popular name of astragalus is the herb of immortality. There are many legends associated with the plant. Astragalus has been used since ancient times to treat various diseases. From Greek, the name can be translated as “dice” due to the specific shape of the bean-shaped seeds. It is noteworthy that the medicinal properties and uses of astragalus are still under study.

Description and characteristics

Scientists attribute grass to the oldest plants that exist on the planet. Previously, the use of astragalus was available only to representatives of the upper class. With the help of herbs, it was possible to cure severe ailments. In modern folk medicine, remedies based on a medicinal plant are used for the treatment and prevention of vascular and heart pathologies, SARS, and diseases of the digestive system.

Astragalus is understood as a whole group of herbaceous and shrubby plants, which has approximately 1500 species. This fact determines the features of the chemical composition.

Grass is classified as a legume. The plant is both annual and perennial. Astragalus is usually a subshrub or small shrub called:

• cat peas;
• Chinese ginseng;
• yellow root;
• royal grass.

All subspecies of astragalus have similar characteristics:

1. The roots are represented by a whole system consisting of the main dense rhizome and branches going into the ground.
2. The leaves are small and oblong in shape.
3. Inflorescences are compared with acacia. Astragalus flowers are purple or white. In most cases, they are yellow in color and are collected in a bud-inflorescence (bell). The flowering period usually begins in the second half of May.
4. The fruits resemble a rounded pod. This is typical for most legumes. As the seeds ripen, the box opens for their penetration into the soil. Fruiting begins in July.

Where does the herb astragalus grow?

The culture grows everywhere, but prefers a temperate climate and areas with occurrence of manganese or uranium ores. About 900 species of grass grow on the territory of the CIS.

Astragalus types

11 species of grass are listed in the Red Book. The medicinal plant astragalus is used for the production of medicines. On the territory of Our Country and some neighboring countries, you can find the following varieties of Chinese ginseng:

Sandy

The grass distribution area is the middle zone and countries with a temperate climate. Astragalus sandy grows along rivers and roads. The culture is widely used in medicine.

Astragalus sandy is in the regional Red Books

Danish

A low perennial plant has bright purple inflorescences. It can be found in the Far East, the Caucasus and in the Krasnodar Territory, Belarus. Grass prefers steppes and rocky slopes of mountains.

In folk medicine, all parts of the Danish astragalus are used.

licorice

Grass is found in the Caucasus. The yellow root prefers pine and oak forests. Astragalus is valued in Chinese and Tibetan medicine. Its medicinal properties can be compared with ginseng. The plant is characterized by large leaves and oblong flowers. Raw materials are harvested during flowering, as well as the formation of beans.

The height of astragalus licorice can reach 90 cm

woolly-flowered

Wild perennial is in demand by medicine. The variety is characterized by an abundance of inflorescences. Grass can be found in the steppes of Our Country.

Woollyflowered astragalus is cultivated for medicinal purposes.

Membranous

The subspecies is known as the “yellow prince”, due to its powerful tonic effect on the body. The herb is quite popular in medicine.

Astragalus membranous prefers open and sunny areas for growth.

Swamp green

The subspecies can be found in the Far East and Siberia. Astragalus, whose close-up photo is below, is a perennial. It reaches a height of 1 m or more. Grass inflorescences are represented by fluffy tassels.

Astragalus marsh is used to treat the organs of the reproductive system and digestion

chickpea

The plant in appearance resembles Turkish peas. The grass reaches a height of 1 m. Inflorescences of a pale yellow hue have up to 60 flowers that appear in the first summer months. Astragalus chickpea does not like acidic soil. Often it is used for decorative purposes to decorate areas.

The medicinal properties of chickpea astragalus have not been scientifically proven.

sickle-fruited (sickle-shaped)

Growth area – Georgia, Turkey, Our Country, Armenia. Grass is classified as poisonous specimens. Astragalus sickle fruit is listed in the Red Book in Altai. The grass prefers mountain birch forests, broad-leaved forests.

The medicinal properties of sickle astragalus are due to the content of flavonoids, alkaloids and coumarins.

Horned (horned)

This is a semi-shrub, the height of which reaches 1 m. Astragalus horn-fruited begins to bloom in June. The fruits appear in July. Habitat – cold steppes of Kolyma, Don.

Astragalus hornis is a honey plant

foxtail

Perennial grows in Western Siberia and Central Asia. Flowering is celebrated in June. Astragalus foxtail is a medicinal plant containing flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins. The raw materials for drugs are flowers, leaves and stems.

Astragalus foxtail is used to treat malaria

There are other types of grass as well. For example, prickly astragalus can be found in the Caucasus.

Chemical composition

Official medicine has recognized the medicinal properties of only two types of astragalus:

• membranous;
• woolly flowered.

Among the beneficial substances contained in astragalus are:

• ascorbic and folic acids;
• vitamin E;
• retinol;
• manganese;
• barium;
• iron;
• molybdenum;
• phosphorus;
• silicon;
• selenium.

Of essential importance is the content of flavonoids, which have pronounced anti-cancer properties. The organic acids that make up the herb take part in almost all processes occurring in the body.

Astragalus is rich in polysaccharides. They are considered the main source of energy, which is necessary for the implementation of metabolic processes. Healing herb includes tannins. High-molecular compounds of natural origin provide purification from pathogenic flora and toxins.

Astragalus is a source of essential oils. They relieve inflammation, and also have a calming effect on the nervous system. Essential oils soften the skin, having antiseptic properties.

The substances that make up astragalus also include alkaloids. The components have analgesic and sedative qualities. Astragalus synthesizes phytosterols. They regulate the concentration of cholesterol and normalize the functioning of the immune system. The plant is used for the treatment and prevention of diseases due to the presence of carbohydrates and fiber.

Useful properties of astragalus

Medicinal plant is a storehouse of useful substances. Some types of catpeas are successfully used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes due to their unique properties.

Medicinal herb astragalus has the following beneficial effects:

• antitumor;
• hemostatic;
• sedatives;
• hypotensive;
• antibacterial;
• antidiabetic;
• wound healing;
• immunostimulating;
• antioxidant;
• diuretic;
• vasoconstrictor;
• antiviral;
• anti-aging.

Astragalus is beneficial for the heart and brain due to its hepatoprotective effects. The herb is used as an antidote for poisoning. The use of drugs from cat peas helps prevent the development of malignant tumors.

Useful properties of astragalus for men

The use of funds based on medicinal herbs is justified in diseases of the organs of the reproductive system. Chinese ginseng improves the potency and quality of seminal fluid, positively affecting the hormonal background. The use of medicinal potions based on cat peas helps to reduce the severity of inflammatory processes.

Healing properties for women

Chinese ginseng helps with infertility. In case of violations of the reproductive function, infusions with astragalus should be used. Externally, the remedy is used to smooth wrinkles and eliminate rashes.

What is useful for children

The use of the astragalus plant for medicinal purposes has not been studied enough. Children are given herbal remedies with great care to increase immunity and treat SARS. The components of Chinese ginseng can cause allergic reactions.

Methods of preparation and use

In traditional medicine, liquid formulations are more often used. They are highly efficient and easy to prepare.

How to brew astragalus (tea)

Dry roots are used to make a healthy drink. Half a liter of water is taken per tablespoon of raw materials.

Royal herb tea has a beneficial effect on the immune system

Tincture

This is a universal product that insists on vodka. It is designed for outdoor and indoor use. To prepare the tincture, you need to pour 40 g of roots with vodka (0.5 l). The bottle is tightly corked and placed in a dry and dark place. Shake the product periodically for ten days. Before use, the composition is filtered.

Chinese ginseng tincture is taken on an empty stomach, 30 drops each.

Infusion

The tool can be prepared according to different schemes, depending on the indications for use. Usually, a tablespoon of raw materials is taken per 100 ml of water. Pour boiling water over the required amount of the plant part.

An infusion of the yellow root is drunk after it has cooled as a prophylactic and restorative drug.

decoction

The remedy is prepared from the roots of Chinese ginseng. They need to be crushed first. A tablespoon of raw materials is poured with a glass of boiling water and simmered in a water bath for half an hour. The composition is filtered off after cooling.

A decoction of cat peas drink two tablespoons

Ointment

EFFECT: invention provides anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, wound healing effects. The dosage form includes glycerin, astragalus extract (sainfoin) and purified water. The tool is used for the treatment of skin pathologies and abrasions.

Royal herb ointment has a high penetrating power

Astragalus Root Extract

The dosage form cannot be prepared independently. The grass is grown in special conditions using fertilizers with selenium. The extract can be purchased at a pharmacy and used for the treatment and prevention of various pathologies. Adults drink 15 drops of the drug per reception.

Children can be given Chinese ginseng root extract from the age of three.

The use of astragalus herb in folk medicine

The medicinal properties of the plant have been proven as a result of scientific research. Means from a medicinal semi-shrub are used for therapy and prevention of the organs of the digestive and reproductive systems.

cat peas for erectile dysfunction

With sexual impotence, they drink a drink that is prepared from the ground part or dried roots (a tablespoon). The remedy is insisted for two hours and filtered before use. The dosage is a quarter cup. The drink is drunk four times a day.

To improve potency, Chinese ginseng infusion is taken for a month.

Yellow root for female infertility

To prepare the infusion, you need to pour a handful of crushed roots or dried herbs into a glass of water. The mixture is simmered on fire until the initial volume is reduced by half.

Filtered infusion of cat-peas is drunk before intimacy

Chinese ginseng for diabetes

The remedy from the yellow root allows you to reduce the concentration of sugar. To prepare a healing infusion, you need to pour a tablespoon of crushed roots with a glass of boiling water. The solution is infused for four hours and drunk on an empty stomach, 50 ml three times a day.

The duration of therapy with catpea infusion is three months.

Royal herb for hypertension

High blood pressure worries about 75% of the elderly. To relieve manifestations of hypertension, for example, pain in the occipital region, infusion of Chinese ginseng helps. Boiling water (200 ml) pour dry grass (20 g). The product is ready for use in two hours. The course of therapy is three weeks. A day you need to take the drug in a tablespoon (five times).

After a short break, cat pea therapy can be resumed in the absence of the desired effect.

Astragalus in oncology

The medicinal plant is used as part of the complex therapy of malignant tumors. Usually healing drugs are used after irradiation and taking medications. Chinese ginseng (root or herb) is made into an infusion and taken as a tea.

A remedy made from a yellow root for oncology is drunk on an empty stomach in a tablespoon five times a day.

Astragalus for the treatment of borreliosis

The herb improves the functioning of the immune system, which is necessary after a tick bite. The use of compounds based on Chinese ginseng can prevent the development of the disease or make it easier.

Do not use cat pea drugs for chronic progression of Lyme disease

Astragalus in multiple sclerosis

Experts recommend taking an infusion prepared in a standard way. For 20 g of dry grass (root powder) you need to take 200 ml of boiling water. The remedy is infused for two hours. The drug is drunk half a cup for two weeks an hour before meals.

Royal herb infusion is good for the cardiovascular system

Astragalus in myoma

The causes of a benign tumor in the muscular layer of the uterus are poorly understood. With a significant size, fibroids can significantly impair a woman’s quality of life, causing pain and bleeding.

For the treatment of nodes in the myometrium, infusions of Chinese ginseng are used. Dry grass (a tablespoon) is poured with a glass of boiling water. Means insist hour.

It is recommended to drink five cups of the drug from the yellow root per day to eliminate fibroids.

Used in cosmetics

The astragalus plant, the photo of which is above, is a well-known culture in folk medicine. Grass is also called the source of beauty and youth. Astragalus can not only be brewed and drunk. It is used in home cosmetology for facial skin care.

For rejuvenation, the roots or infusion of cat peas are mixed with cottage cheese and honey. The duration of the mask exposure is 15 minutes. A decoction of Chinese ginseng is also applied to the face in the form of a compress. To eliminate cellulite, a mixture of honey and royal herb infusion is applied to problem areas, and insulated with polyethylene on top. After half an hour, the composition for wrapping must be washed off.

Противопоказания

Astragalus is not recommended in some cases. Contraindications include periods of pregnancy and lactation, children under three years of age. It should not be used internally means based on the royal herb in case of hypersensitivity reactions.

Growing astragalus from seeds at home

For planting grass choose a sunny place. It should be slightly dark. Astragalus is not demanding on the soil. It is only important to avoid stagnant moisture. It is desirable to give preference to loose and fertile soils.

Astragalus easily tolerates periods of drought. Mature plants do not need constant watering. Organic and mineral fertilizers are suitable for feeding grass. They must be applied at planting and in the fall.

In the cold season, the ground part gradually dies off, and the rhizome remains to winter in open ground conditions. In the same place, astragalus can grow up to five years, then the landing area needs to be updated.

Sowing seeds is carried out in autumn or early spring in open ground (three cm deep, keeping a distance of 40 cm). Astragalus seedlings can withstand spring frosts.

Collection and Procurement

Astragalus is called the grass of life of the Kremlin leaders. For the collection and subsequent preparation of raw materials for medicinal purposes, both the ground part of the plant and the roots are suitable. It is necessary to collect specimens only in ecologically clean areas during the period of active flowering. The grass is cut carefully so as not to damage the roots. They are harvested in the second half of autumn. The roots are carefully removed with a shovel, cleaned of the ground, cut off the rotten parts, washed. The material is dried in a ventilated room.

It is important to clean raw materials from debris. Plants showing signs of damage by various pests should not be collected. High-quality material (grass) must be dried in the open air. It is possible to use a dryer. The temperature must be set to 55 °C.

Dried herb or astragalus root is stored in cloth bags or tightly closed glass containers. Raw materials can be used throughout the year.

Conclusion

The medicinal properties and uses of astragalus are under study. Traditional medicine has recognized the medicinal properties of two subspecies of the plant. The herb has several names and has a hemostatic, hypotensive, wound healing effect.

Reviews of doctors about the medicinal properties of astragalus

The plant has been compared to Chinese ginseng due to its beneficial effects on the human body. Reviews of doctors contain information about the possibility of using astragalus for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.