ASTRAGALUS - Potent Adaptogen for the IMMUNE System

Astragalus (Astragalus propinquus syn A. membranaceus)

Astragalus has been recognized as a superb and potent immune system tonic, and one of the world’s most important herbs by today’s health researchers. Astragalus has been used for over 2000 years in China -  to strengthen the body Astragalus is a pea family plant that originally comes from China. There are thousands of different Astragalus genus plants in the world and most of them are toxic.  Either buy, grow or harvest Astragalus propinquus.

Astragalus is an immunomodulating herb (adaptogen) that is commonly used to normalize immune system function.  As an adaptogen, it can also be used by people in auto-immune conditions.  It is very specific for people who are regularly coming down with upper respiratory viruses or who need to maintain wellness.  Limited human clinical trials and in-vitro studies show that astragalus increases the white blood cell count, decreases viral replication, and stimulates the production of T killer cells.

Studies conducted at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center at the University of Houston demonstrated clearly that Astragalus improves the immune response in humans undergoing radiation and chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer. Patients taking Astragalus during such treatment tend to have far fewer side effects and recover at a higher and faster rate.

Astragalus has a mild diuretic action and helps to relieve excessive sweating.  It is helpful in treating loose stools, chronic diarrhea and chronic or recurring colds.  Use if a cold lasts too long - to prevent general fatigue syndrome that can itself become chronic.  Astragalus is very useful for people who just can’t seem to shake a cold.

Astragalus enhances the function of the skin to eliminate toxins.  It is commonly used to help sores in the skin to come to a head and suppurate, and thus to heal more quickly and effectively.  It is also a male fertility agent and has proved to stimulate sperm motility. 

Herbal Extract:  To strengthen your immune system, use astragalus in higher dosages, daily, for a long period of time.  In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) astragalus is used in very high dosages, sometimes up to 100 grams per day.

Cooking:  Traditionally astragalus is cooked into foods like soups or rice. It is commonly sold as long thinly sliced roots that can be easily removed from the dish before eating (it’s never edible as the root remains too fibrous). If you are using astragalus to maintain wellness, then putting some roots in a soup or rice dish is a good way to use it.  The roots can be used more than once in cooking.

This astragalus and miso soup recipe uses 30 grams of astragalus root per serving.  Use roots that are either cut up finely or the long thin roots. You could use the herb powder, but it may make your beverage gritty as it is difficult to strain out.

ASTRAGALUS MISO SOUP

2 cups broth (bone broth, meat broth, veggie broth)

30 grams astragalus

Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

1-3 tablespoons miso 

Place the broth, astragalus, and black pepper into a medium sized sauce pan with a tight-fitting lid.  Bring to a simmer, cover, and continue to simmer on low for 30 minutes.  Strain off the broth. You could use the astragalus root again if desired, otherwise compost. Let the broth cool slightly, then add your desired amount of miso.  Yield: About 1 1/2 cups and is a single serving.

ELDERBERRY-SCHISANDRA SYRUP

Elderberry-Schisandra Immune-Strength Syrup

 

Take at the first signs of a cold or flu –
Adults: 1-2 Tablespoons hourly.

3 cups cold pure water
3/4 cup Elderberries

1/4 cup Schisandra berries

1/4 cup Eleuthero root

1/4 cup Echinacea root

1 Cinnamon stick

3/4 to 1 cup raw local Honey – option/ use sugar if making recipe for infants under 1 year old

1.5 oz brandy (optional)

Combine herbs with cold water in a stainless pot and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and allow herbs to simmer for 45 to 60 minutes.  Remove from heat and mash the berries while in the liquid mixture. Strain the herbs through a cheesecloth and squeeze out the juice. Boil the strained-out berries again in 2 cups of water, and repeat process.  Measure the liquid and add an equal amount of honey. Gently heat the honey and juice for a few minutes until they are well combined. Do not boil!  Bottle in sterilized glass containers. Label and keep refrigerated for up to 6 months.

Optional: Before bottling, add 1-part brandy to 3-parts syrup to extend the shelf-life.  Do not use brandy for babies and children.

Dosage: Adults:  1 tablespoon/day to prevent illness, or 1 Tablespoon per hour if you are already experiencing cough and sore throat symptoms. Children under 12 years of age:  Take half the adult dose (1 - 1 1/2 teaspoons). Toddlers:  1/4 of the adult dose (a little less than a teaspoon).  Infants under 1 years old should not take honey or honey products.

 

 

Elderberries have been shown to help with brain development, immune coordination, digestion, and blood flow. They’re also rich with Anthocyanins. These cytokines have been shown to boost the production of immune cytokines, which allow the body to defend against disease and illness. More than that, though, elderberry contains a potent antiviral agent called antivirin. Antivirin not only helps to prevent viruses from invading the cells, but also prevents the virus from replicating, therefore shortening the time one will suffer from symptoms of the flu.  Elderberries contains trace minerals and has more Vitamin C than oranges. 

Schisandra berry is an adaptogen herb that helps the immune system and the body in general to strengthen and balance.  It naturally raises the body’s resistance to environmental stress, anxiety, toxin exposure, emotional trauma, mental fatigue and mental illnesses. Because schisandra helps nurture the adrenal glands and turns down an overproduction of “stress hormones” like cortisol, it’s linked with better mental capabilities, physical endurance and metabolic health.