Astragalus is the Herb of the Month for December. And for good reason! As we ease into the Winter solstice of December, we say hello to longer nights, quieter days, and, hopefully, moments of reflection. There is a seasonality to everything. Since it’s almost winter outside, we’re starting to slow down, and typically, our internal energy is doing just the same. Astragalus is the perfect winter companion for this new rhythm. 

Common name: Astragalus 

Latin name: Astragalus membranaceus

Part Used: Roots

Benefits: Adaptogenic, adrenal tonic, antiviral potential, blood tonic, Qi tonic, digestive aid, diuretic, hypotensive, immune stimulant, tonic, vasodilator

Taste: Sweet, Earthy, and Bitter

Energetics: Warm and Moist

History: 

December’s Herb of the Month, Astragalus, is one of the most commonly recommended herbs in the world. This is partly due to its ability to enhance and balance the entire body. It’s long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to boost overall vitality, improve circulation, and build the blood. While there are literally hundreds of different varieties of Astragalus (they’re all in the pea family!), the medicinal variety that we most commonly use is Astragalus membranaceus, a sun-loving perennial native to China. This root is thought to have been used as a traditional medicine in China for at least 2,000 years (with some writings suggesting that it might be more like 5,000 years!) 

Astragalus was first introduced to North America through the USDA’s Plant Introduction Office in 1925. However, acclaimed herbalist Stephen Buhner points out that it likely wasn’t used in Western botanical practice until the 1960s, when there was a shift towards blending Eastern and Western perspectives in herbal medicine. 1

Benefits: 

Our Herb of the Month, Astragalus, has been used so prolifically throughout the history of traditional medicine that it is deemed one of the “Fifty Fundamental Herbs” still used in TCM.2 It’s most commonly used as a Qi (or chi) tonic, which means it’s thought to strengthen and replenish your vital force or energy, essentially aiming to restore your vitality. On top of that, this amazing herb is also helpful during times of acute illness to help speed up recovery. Herbalists may recommend astragalus to help fortify the lungs or to help get over a cold. Additionally, Astragalus contains high antioxidant properties and can potentially help protect cells from oxidative stress.

Astragalus’s main claim to fame in Western herbalism is as an adaptogen, helping to normalize behavior in the immune, nervous, and hormonal systems. This helps your body better regulate during times of stress. It can also be taken as a long-term preventative against colds and other viruses. 

You may see other herbal sites also recommending astragalus for the following (As always though, you should consult your doctor first if you are interested in taking Astragalus, or anything, for the long term): 

• The liver
• The kidneys and urinary system
• Blood sugar
• Seasonal allergies
• Upper respiratory tract
• Menstrual cycle
• Menopause
• Organs of detoxification
• The skin
• Pain/inflammation
• Stress response

Emotional Aspects of Astragalus:

Astragalus is known for tonifying and building up internal power or energy. It can be used to fortify the energetic body, support vital energy, and reinforce the body’s natural defenses. It also helps keep energy flowing, rather than becoming stagnant. In spiritual practices, Astragalus is used to protect or cleanse the aura, while it also helps ward off negative energies. 

Using Astragalus In Your Everyday: 

Astragalus Chai Recipe for Immune Support – Makes 6 cups.

Recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp. astragalus root or 10-15 small organic astragalus root slices
• 10 slices of organic Chinese licorice root
• 2 Tbsp. of organic ginger root
• 2 Tbsp. organic dried orange peel
• 1 Tbsp. of organic sweet cinnamon chips
• 1 tsp. of organic white peppercorns
• 1-2 organic cardamom pods
• 3-5 organic whole allspice berries
• 3-5 whole organic cloves
• 1 ½ quarts of water

Directions

• Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan.
• Bring to a boil.
• Simmer for one hour.
• Strain.
• Add milk and raw, local honey if desired.

Immune Boost Soup – Serves 8

Recipe from Vegetarian Times 

Ingredients

• 5 cups water
• 1 Tbs. miso paste
• 1 cup shiitake mushrooms (sliced)
• 2 small yellow onions (minced)
• 1 cup celery (sliced)
• 1 cup carrots (sliced)
• 1 cup bell peppers (sliced)
• 1 Tbs. ginger (grated)
• 1 tsp. turmeric
• ¼ tsp. black pepper
• 3–4 dried slices of astragalus root
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1 Tbs. coconut oil

Instructions

• Heat water and miso paste in a large pot and allow the paste to dissolve.
• Add mushrooms, onion, celery, carrots, peppers, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and astragalus slices, and simmer for 1 hour (or longer if needed).
• Add raw garlic and coconut oil for the final 10 minutes of simmering.
• Remove astragalus slices from the soup before serving.

Missed our other Herbs of the Month? Check them out!:

November: Ginger… Recipes included!

October: Echinacea

September: Goldenrod

August: Agrimony  

References:

1. “Astragalus, Astragalus Membranaeus, Huang-Qi.” Steven Foster Group, 2011.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Astragalus: Usefulness and safety. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/astragalus