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The origin of this plant is still shrouded in mythical secrets. In ancient times, people believed that woolly-flowered astragalus was a gift from the gods with amazing properties. Astragalus is actually an amazing herb. It grows in places where there is some gold in the soil, and this precious element in microdoses is also concentrated in the plant. At one time, alchemists even hoped that astragalus would help them find the magic philosopher’s stone. But that’s not all the amazing facts about woolly astragalus.
Interesting facts from the history
This plant was known to the Scythians. They called it the herb of immortality or royal. The Scythians regularly used a drug made from astragalus woolly-flowered, boiled in mare’s milk. In particular, it was the main product for all men of the royal family who reached the age of 45. But for women, such a potion was forbidden. And not because it harmed their health, but, as researchers believe, the representatives of the weaker sex in those days were considered unworthy of royal grass.
The Goths and Greeks also believed that astragalus woolly-flowered infusions give a long life, protect against senile impotence. A place of honor was given to astragalus in the herbalist of Ivan the Terrible. In Rus’, the royal grass was also considered a plant from any ailment. In the twentieth century, it was not customary to speak about the superpowers of astragalus, and according to some reports, this plant was regularly used by Hitler, Stalin and Andropov.
General characteristics
The common name “astragalus” today refers to more than two thousand plants common in the Northern Hemisphere. Most of them grow in Central Asia, in the Crimea and the Caucasus. Astragalus includes shrubs, semi-shrubs, herbaceous annuals and perennials. But they are all recognized by complex pinnate leaves and flowers in axillary racemes, collected in inflorescences, umbrellas, spikelets or heads. But only one representative of this large family has powerful healing abilities – woolly-flowered astragalus, belonging to the legume family. Popularly, this plant is known as cat pea or fluffy astragalus. Although botanists say that woolly-flowered and fluffy-flowered are two different astragalus.
The woolly-flowered astragalus is recognizable by the reddish down that covers the ground part of the plant. This perennial herb grows up to half a meter. Its stems are covered with complex pinnate leaves. Another defining feature is the inflorescence. In this astragalus, it is a capitate brush of 10-20 yellow moth flowers. Cat pea blooms in late spring – early summer. Fruits in small beans (about 1 cm in length) – hairy, ovoid or oval, which appear on the stems in July-September.
This type of astragalus is common in the Black Sea region, the Dnieper region, in the Volga-Don basin. It can be seen on the territory of abandoned cemeteries, on mounds, some glades. Woollyflowered astragalus tolerates different weather conditions well, but does not take root in grazing areas.
Useful chemical composition of the herb
In the composition of astragalus woolly flowers, scientists found reserves of vitamins A, B, E and C, many amino acids, essential oils, coumarins, tannins, flavonoids and glycosides. The plant contains a variety of micro and macro elements, including calcium, silicon, aluminum, iron, magnesium, cobalt, zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, chromium and selenium. The gum of this plant is also useful. In addition to many trace elements, organic acids and flavonoids, it contains many other useful chemical compounds. The complex effect of these beneficial components has a surprisingly beneficial effect on the human body.
What is useful astragalus
The combination of useful components gives this plant a variety of pharmacological properties.
Numerous studies have shown that astragalus is an extremely useful plant for blood vessels and the heart. It prevents atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, improves the functionality of nerve endings and the brain. Recent statements by European scientists are convincing that Astragalus Woollyflower is very effective in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The herb has a positive effect on the work of the digestive system, liver, kidneys, improves reproductive abilities and metabolism. And traditional healers use this herb to treat cancer.
Woolly-flowered astragalus has a hypotensive and sedative effect, it dilates the coronary vessels, promotes cerebral circulation and proper blood clotting. Due to the rich presence of vitamin E and selenium, the herb extract is useful for muscles, especially with different degrees of dystrophy.
In traditional and alternative medicine Astragalus woollyflora is used:
- for the treatment of cardiac diseases;
- treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system;
- with anemia;
- with thyroid dysfunction;
- for the treatment of liver diseases;
- to improve the functioning of the pancreas;
- with nephrological disorders;
- to strengthen blood vessels;
- diabetes;
- with bronchial asthma;
- for the rapid treatment of respiratory diseases;
- with eczema and psoriasis;
- to strengthen immunity;
- with hyperactivity in children;
- for the treatment of chronic fatigue.
Interestingly, laboratory experiments confirmed the theory of the Scythians that Astragalus woolly-flowered protects against old age. It turned out that the plant extract really slows down the aging process in the body, and in some cases even launches a rejuvenation program.
The benefits of astragalus water
Astragalus water is an aqueous infusion of plant leaves. This miracle remedy is being prepared in the evening: pour 5 fresh leaves with a glass of boiling water and cover the vessel. By morning, the remedy is ready. It is believed that this infusion will relieve depression, relieve the effects of stress, cure diarrhea and ease menstrual pain. For babies, such a remedy, they say, is also useful as a cure for intestinal colic. However, astragalus water will also help adults get rid of flatulence.
Astragalus in folk medicine
In ancient times, cat peas saved people from many ailments, in particular, almost all heart diseases were treated with this herb.
With hypertension, an infusion of a tablespoon of astragalus and a glass of boiling water is useful. The medicine is insisted in heat for an hour and a half. Then for 10 days take 2 tbsp. l. three times a day (before meals).
With angina pectoris and tachycardia, an infusion of a tablespoon of herbs and 350 ml of boiling water is useful. Withstand the remedy for 40 minutes, and then drink half a glass three times a day (30 minutes before meals).
For people who have survived a heart attack, astragalus woolly-flowered is also useful. For such patients, an infusion of 7 tbsp. l. dried herbs and 2 liters of water. Boil tea over low heat and leave to infuse for an hour. Add about 200 g of honey to the strained drink. Treatment lasts 14 days. During this time, drink half a glass of tea three times a day.
Another remedy for strengthening the heart muscle after a heart attack is wine-astragalus tincture. 50 g of dry grass are taken per liter of dry white wine, insisted for 3 weeks (shake the vessel every few days). Take also 14 days, three times a day, 1 tablespoon before meals.
With atherosclerosis, an alcohol tincture of astragalus is useful (prepared from 1 part of the herb and 3 parts of 70 percent alcohol). Take the medicine three times a day, 30 drops. Course – 10 days, then 14 days break, and repeat.
A decoction of a tablespoon of grass, a glass of boiling water and a tablespoon of honey will help improve blood circulation in the brain cells.
The manifestations of rheumatism and polyarthritis will be facilitated by compresses from the alcohol infusion of astragalus woolly (fill the jar halfway with dry grass and add alcohol to the top, leave for 21 days in the dark). This remedy can also be used for rubbing or drink a teaspoon three times a day.
With gastritis, stomach ulcers or duodenal ulcers, it is also good to drink astragalus decoction, you can with honey. And for liver diseases, it is useful to take half a teaspoon of dry, powdered astragalus (it is advisable not to drink it with water). In this way, it is possible to improve the condition of the liver within 45 days.
For the kidneys, a decoction of 10 g of dry grass and a glass of water, which is consumed in a tablespoon, is useful. A tablespoon of astragalus, infused (for 10 hours) in a thermos, will help get rid of edema (drink 2 small sips every 2 hours).
For people with diabetes, astragalus is useful in the form of water infusions (1 tablespoon per 250 ml of boiling water). Regular use of such a natural remedy in the initial stages of the disease can stop its progression.
Infusions and decoctions of this medicinal plant are also useful for bronchitis, tonsillitis, gynecological diseases, infertility, disorders of the nervous system, as well as for people aged (remember, the Scythian kings regularly drank astragalus infusions after 45 years).
In addition, rinsing with a decoction of the herb will reduce toothache and is useful for the treatment of gingivitis, periodontitis, and stomatitis. To heal wounds and burns, traditional healers use astragalus decoction mixed with petroleum jelly or butter. The resulting ointment is applied to wounds, ulcers, abrasions. And it is good to lubricate or water the burns with water infusion.
Astragalus woolly flower natural preparations are prescribed for people after chemotherapy. It has been scientifically proven that a decoction of 1 tablespoon of herbs and a glass of water significantly improves overall well-being, strengthens the immune system.
How to grow your own
Woolly-flowered Astragalus was listed in the Red Book in the Soviet Union. But this does not matter, since this medicinal plant can be grown independently. Experts advise taking a sunny bed under the astragalus, not shaded by trees, but it is important to water the plant regularly. Cat peas are not very demanding on the quality of the soil, although they feel better on chernozems. It is necessary to sow the grass at the end of March about 3 cm deep, keeping a width between rows of 45 cm. The first shoots appear 2-3 weeks after sowing. By the way, dead and rotted plant stems fertilize the soil well with nitrogen, increasing its quality.
How to prepare medicinal raw materials
Most of the useful substances are found in the grass collected in late spring or in June (before the fruits have formed). It is advised to collect grass in dry weather, cutting it with a sharp knife or sickle. It is important not to completely cut off all the stems, but to leave a few plants to seed. Dry in a warm place, but not in direct sunlight. A well-ventilated attic is ideal for drying.
Many do not even realize the existence of the royal herb, which the Scythians used to save themselves from old age, and our great-grandmothers treated almost all diseases. But in recent years, interest in this plant has noticeably revived. Perhaps the former glory of astragalus woolly-flowered will be renewed?