Astragalus (herb) - The Use And Properties Of The Astragalus Plant. Astragalus Root, Tincture And Syrup

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Astragalus

Application and properties of astragalus root, tincture and syrup

Botanical characteristics of Astragalus

Astragalus is a truly unique plant. Due to its medicinal properties, the use of the plant is effective for various diseases. In nature, it occurs as a herb, a small shrub or a subshrub. As a rule, perennial, but there are also annual species of astragalus. The stem is erect, the height ranges from 40 to 60 cm. The leaves of the plant are complex, from below they are appressed-hairy, in other places they are odd-pinnate. Depending on the type of astragalus, flowers and inflorescences of a plant, as well as its color, differ. Flowering begins in June and lasts until August. The fruits (beans) appear in late autumn.

Astragalus properties

Astragalus is a medicinal plant. Medical practice actively uses many types of astragalus in the treatment of hypertension and renal diseases, chronic insufficiency, atherosclerosis, blood circulation, neurosis, colds, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Some types are recommended as a diuretic and hemostatic agent.

There are about 1,600 species of astragalus around the world, but there are several species whose medicinal properties are especially appreciated in folk and scientific medicine.

Astragalus membranous ("centaury", or "cat pea"). Today, the plant is very rare, as an endangered species is listed in the Red Book. It grows in the Northern Hemisphere, but can be found in South America and in the tropics. Root and grass are used as medicinal raw materials. The root is dug up in the fall, it is thoroughly, but quickly enough, washed with water, dried in the fresh air, and then completely dried in a closed room. The grass, unlike the root, is cut during flowering. It is dried in small bunches.

Astragalus membranous has a general strengthening, tonic, analgesic and diuretic effect, stimulates hematopoiesis. It is also used externally as an ideal antiseptic and wound healing agent. Various decoctions and infusions of astragalus roots are used as a hemostatic, choleretic, antipyretic and expectorant.

The plant effectively reduces arterial and renal pressure, activates the tone of internal organs, helps to normalize metabolic processes in the body in diabetes mellitus, as well as suppress the vital activity of the bacterial flora (Toxoplasma, Trichomonas, amoebas, etc.).

Astragalus' diuretic, antitumor, hypotensive and immunostimulating properties have been scientifically confirmed.

Astragalus Danish - popularly called "cotton candy". You can meet the plant in forests, for example, pine forests, in their bright places, as a rule, on the edges. Danish astragalus is very rare. It grows in Kazakhstan, in the Trans-Urals - to the south of Yakutia. The Danish astragalus contains flavonoids and alkaloids. Herbs (flowers, leaves, stems) are used as medicinal raw materials. Collect raw materials from May to June. The plant has a tonic effect, quickly restores strength and relieves fatigue.

Toning agent: 2 tablespoons of herbs must be poured with 0.5 cups of cooled boiled water, leave for 4 hours, then drain thoroughly. It is recommended to take 1/2 cup 3 (sometimes 4) times a day.

Astragalus sandy

Astragalus sandy is recognized as a remedy not only by folk, but also by scientific medicine. A useful raw material is the herb (the aerial part of the plant), the root is not used. Flavonoids are found in the herb. Tinctures and decoctions from sandy astragalus have a cardiotonic, diuretic, vasodilating effect, are used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and contribute to the normalization of blood clotting. They are successfully used as antibacterial and antifungal agents.

The collection of the sandy astragalus is carried out during the flowering period of the plant (in June). It is carefully dried under a canopy and placed in wooden boxes for further storage.

Sandy astragalus can be found in light forests, in the coastal zone of rivers, on the sands, near lakes, on roadsides. The plant is widespread in Central Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden, Lithuania, Estonia and Germany.

Astragalus chickpea

Astragalus chickpea contains a number of valuable active substances, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, triterpenoids. For the purpose of preparing medicinal decoctions and tinctures, the herb of the plant (flowers, leaves, stem) is used.

From ancient times to the present day, Astragalus chickpea has been used to treat the gastrointestinal tract and heart. Decoctions also have a sedative effect on the body, are used as an effective diuretic, reduce the content of beta-lipoproteins in the blood, and adrenaline and norepinephrine in tissues.

Astragalus chickpea grows in Central Europe and the Western Mediterranean on the slopes, in the steppes, in clearings and meadows, along the banks of rivers.

Astragalus broth: you need to pour 20 grams of dry grass into a container, after crushing it, then pour 200 ml of pure water over the grass, put on a small fire and boil for three to four minutes. Then the broth must be infused for 2 hours, then strain. It is recommended to take the remedy in case of strong arousal, hypertension, as well as in case of metabolic disorders, 2-3 tablespoons 3 times a day.

Astragalus use

The positive effect of astragalus on the normalization of the functioning of organs and various systems of the body, improvement of well-being allows us to call it a miraculous plant. To date, there are many ways of preparing medicinal preparations from a useful plant in pharmacology, infusions and decoctions in folk medicine.

Astragalus syrup

Astragalus syrup is a selenium-containing product that has no contraindications, slows down the aging process, and is especially useful for adults and children who have a lack of selenium. When children under 10 years old take syrup, age is taken into account: one year - one drop, two years - two drops, and so on. Adults are prescribed 10-15 drops once a day for prophylaxis, for diseases the dosage is determined individually.

Astragalus root

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 in the form of infusions and decoctions. Astragalus root surpasses ginseng in its fortifying, immunomodulatory properties. It is indicated for hypertension, angina pectoris, edema, chronic and acute glomerulonephritis, rheumatic pains, edema of various etiologies, prolapse of the uterus and renal hypertension, scrofula, as well as for chronic heart failure of the first and second degree, accompanied by tachycardia.

From the healing root you can prepare: - tincture on water: pour 1 tablespoon of raw materials with 2 cups of boiling water, insist in a thermos for 30 minutes and take 1/3 cup 3 times a day after meals; - vodka tincture: you need to mix 40 grams of astragalus root and 400 grams of vodka, insist for 10 days in a dark place at room temperature - and you can take 10-20 drops 2-3 times a day before meals.

Astragalus infusion

Astragalus tincture can be prepared in two ways.

The first way: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of chopped herbs should be poured with 1 glass of water, boil for 3-4 minutes, leave for 2 hours, drain. Take it 1 / 4-1 / 3 cup 3 times a day for gastroenteritis, ascites, spleen diseases, edema. A decoction of the herb is also used as a rhodostimulating and accelerating placental separation agent.

The second way: take 2 tablespoons of dry crushed herbs in 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 2 hours, strain and use to rinse your throat with flu 3-4 times a day.

Contraindications to the use of Astragalus

To date, no special contraindications to the use of Astragalus have been identified. It is undesirable to use it for the treatment of children under the age of two, since the effect of the plant on the child's body has not been fully studied. You should also avoid using astragalus tinctures with strong arousal.

The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist

Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).