Astragalus herbs information - Chinese herb helps immune-system, colds and flu more

What is Astragalus Herb?

Astragalus is an herb that has many possible benefits, including fighting infection and the common cold, to benefiting cancer and AIDS patients. Traditional Chinese medicine has used astragalus membranaceus for a remedy for weakness, edema, respiratory infections, diabetes, night sweats, diarrhea, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Studies confirm it contains medicinally active compounds, including a polysaccharide that stimulates the immune system.

Benefit Astragalus Herbs:
The beneficial herb known as the astragalus is a twining leguminous perennial plant, which can reach 11 and a half to 39 inches high when fully grown. This plant has a multi branching stem, which slants slightly upward and which is also slightly hairy in appearance. The herb possesses pinnate leaves which grow alternately and each has 9 to 21 leaflets, which are elliptical in shape, each being about a quarter to three fourths of an inch long and about one thirds of an inch wide across. The racemes on the plant are axillary in position and the peduncle of the plant is very slender, bearing anything from three to nine flowers, which arise at the very top of the plant. The plant also possesses a spindle shaped pod, which is slightly inflated, is a little over an inch long and is beaked at the tip. The astragalus herb produces about twenty to thirty seeds.

Uses Astragalus Herbs:

The main use of the astragalus is in the form of a classic energy tonic. Some even consider it superior to the ginseng for use with younger patients. The herbal medical system in China link the herbal remedy to an ability for warming and toning the wei qi - which is the concept of a protective energy, circulating in the human body immediately beneath the skin. This energy is supposed to help the human body to adapt rapidly to external influences and changes in temperature, particularly to cold weather and climates. The resistance of the immune system is also raised by the astragalus and the herbal remedy is also acknowledged for its ability to improve the physical endurance of all users.