It’s not often that a powerful energy and immune herb tastes like delicious soup. Here’s a favorite Chinese winter tonic that fits the bill.

Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus) is categorized as a superior herb in The Yellow Emperor’s Classic, a 2,000-year-old herbal text, and it has almost certainly been used in that culture even longer. Called Huang Qi- “yellow energy builder”- it’s a master “qi” replenisher. “Qi” is usually translated in the West as “life force” or “vital energy”. This gem of Traditional Chinese medicine, astragalus, or milk vetch root, is a member of the legume family.

Used as a maintenance tonic and to assist healing from chronic illness, astragalus boosts energy, increases stress adaptation, is particularly antiviral and amplifies the efficiency of just about every type of immune function.Traditionally, night sweats, wasting disorders, chronic ulcerations and sores, numbness and edema were also indications.

Although preferred for long-term prevention, astragalus can be used for acute cold and flu , and it will produce improvement in just about any case. Chinese families regularly add astragalus to the family stewpot during the cold season, so that everyone can get a daily immune boost. Astragalus is a popular immune tonic for children who frequently succumb to infections. According to Chinese medicine, astragalus also strengthens the lungs, so it forms the backbone of a program to prevent and treat respiratory infection.

Japanese herbalists use astragalus, which they call “ogi”. for eczema, lack of appetite, fatigue, diarrhea, prolapsed uterus, rectum, or stomach, uterine bleeding, abscesses, facial swelling, loss of feeling in the arms and legs, muscle pain, and diabetes. Use ogi especially if you have fatigue, tissue wasting, fluid accumulation in the skin, and a tendency toward frequent infection.

In the scientific literature, many studies have shown its ability to increase immune function, including activity against Coxsackie virus, a flu-like virus that mainly affects children. Modern research has identified the constituents in astragalus that are thought to be responsible for its value. Polysaccharides, similar to those in Echinacea and shiitake mushroom, and hormone-like compounds called saponins, are credited with many of the herb’s benefits.There may be dozens of other active components, many of which may be synergistic or supportive of the known active chemicals.

Like Echinacea, astragalus stimulates phagocytosis, a process in which white cells eat up invaders, increasing the total number of defensive cells as well as their aggressiveness. Increased macrophage activity has been measured as lasting up to 72 hours. Astragalus increases the quantity of stem cells in the marrow and lymph tissue; provokes their maturation into active immune cells; ups spleen activity; increases antibody release; and heightens the production of hormonal messenger molecules, including interferon, that signal for virus destruction. Some research indicates that astragalus can make "resting" immune cells active, increase cell regeneration, and make healthy cells resistant to certain viruses. Sound like an herbal powerhouse? Just remember- all is fair in bugs and war.

A saponin in astragalus is believed to be especially protective of the liver- another reason for this tonic to be prized so highly, since Chinese medicine emphasizes the importance of the liver in healing, especially during and after infection.

Astragalus acts as an antioxidant, according to one recent Japanese study.This herb looks like a promising remedy for a variety of heart, kidney, and circulatory conditions. It regulates blood fats, treats heart failure, ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and offers relief for anginal pain.Astragalus is a very mild and safe remedy. Since it is very general in its action, it will provide some benefit for just about anyone.

Although it is considered a “warm” herb by the Chinese, it is only slightly heating, so it can be used by pretty much anyone. And it’s great for kids as both acute antiviral and long-term immune boosting, thanks to its mild, pleasant taste.

Dried, sliced astragalus root, which looks like rough yellow tongue depressors, can be purchased at most Asian grocery stores. The growing mainstream popularity of astragalus has driven the price up, so you should definitely shop around. My local herb pharmacy, which I trust for most of my herb needs, charges $80 per pound for dried astragalus; the Chinese herb store where I purchase astragalus charges $8 a pound- for the same package and brand!

Unlike most Chinese herbs, astragalus actually tastes surprisingly good as a tea, with a velvety texture and a sweet, buttery taste. Cook the roots into a soup stock- it’s almost like chicken soup. Or make an herbal tea and use that to cook a grain like rice. Use ½ to 1 ounce, dry herb weight, brewed, per day, during the cold season or to replenish a burned out immune system. It’s not often that we see so many great benefits in such a scrumptious package, so drink up.

 

Velvet Immune Broth

3 cups water or vegetable broth

1 ounce astragalus root slices (about 7 "sticks" dried herb)

l bulb (5 to 10 cloves) fresh garlic, sliced or whole (omit for young children)

Salt and pepper to taste

Place water, garlic, astragalus in pot. Bring to boil. Simmer on medium low for several hours, until garlic is soft. Remove herb slices and any fibrous material. Drink hot. Eat garlic in broth, or remove the garlic to spread on toast. Try adding noodles, barley or rice, slivered almonds, and/or carrots (cook till soft) to make a meal. Cook grains in leftover broth to add a healthier touch to a future meal. Add fresh sliced or ground ginger and diced onion before cooking to immune strengthening and antibacterial properties of soup.

For extra immune boost, add medicinal mushrooms like reishi or shiitake.