Astragalus in herbal medicine , The immunostimulant properties of Astragalus membranaceus, a perennial herbaceous plant very useful for our immune system.Originally from the Far East and China, it shares its name also with a bone of the foot, the astragalus, probably due to the shape of the flowers, which resemble the human heel.
When the bad season arrives, the Astragalus is one of the most suitable plants to strengthen the immune system and prevent and treat colds and flu. But this herb also has other interesting health properties.
Astragalus: the benefits of the roots and as a natural remedy for the flu
Astragalus, whose useful part is composed of the roots, is used as a natural remedy for colds and flu . The immunostimulant properties in the prevention of infectious diseases, above all viral, colds and flu syndromes, have been confirmed.
In particular it stimulates the immune system, strengthening the body’s natural defense mechanisms against infections. In fact it is thanks to the presence of its active ingredients that the plant is attributed immunostimulant and antiviral action against the viruses that cause the most common colds (colds, coughs, fever), and overall the astragalus is in fact able to counteract the atrophy of organs such as spleen, thymus and intestinal lymph nodes and to promote phagocytic capacity and transformation of T lymphocytes.
Hepatoprotectic function of astragalus and properties for blood and liver
Furthermore, the saponins content, present in the phytocomplex, gives the plant hepatoprotective action, as its intake protects the liver from damage caused by chemical or toxic substances; stimulates hepatocyte regeneration; and helps to thin the blood, thus reactivating the functions inhibited by steroids (steroid hormones and cholesterol).
Astragalus also possesses adaptogenic properties, meaning it allows us to respond well and adaptably to stressful stimuli around us, because it lowers oxygen consumption in the mitochondria; supports the organism’s tolerance to stress; and increases growth, metabolism and the longevity of the cells. For these reasons it is indicated to counteract periods of fatigue, fatigue, fatigue and convalescence (especially after antibiotic treatments), to increase learning and memory performance, and improve sleep duration due to its relaxing effects.
Finally, the plant has also shown a cardiotonic action, able to intervene on the metabolism of sodium and potassium, reducing arterial pressure and therefore useful in the case of hypertension and angina pectoris, because it supports the functionality of the heart and the circulatory system in the together.
Chinese medicine and astragalus: toning against stress
The properties of the astragalus are exploited from ancient times both in Western Medicine; both in Traditional Chinese Medicine . This ancient medical tradition has always used it for its toning action, able to raise the threshold of resistance to stress factors, increasing energy; speed up metabolism, and promote tissue repair. However, the traditional Chinese use of the plant is aimed at stimulating the Qi of the spleen and lungs, or rather those organs (together with the kidneys), at the base of the energy flows of the organism and therefore of the defensive energies and immunity.
By combining Astragalus with other immunostimulant plants, such as Echinacea and Acerola, there will be a synergistic action that will favor the body’s defenses in a complete manner. The immunostimulatory action of Astragalus also benefits against allergic diseases
