Astragalus mongholicus helps with a lot of different body challenges, but for the purpose of this blog we are going to focus on three ways it supports the female body. The female body is complex and because we carry and birth children, our bodies and its needs are greatly different than that of a male body.
Today you can learn how Astragalus supports the female body with menstruation, menopause, weight loss and heart health.
What is Astragalus?
The genus Astragalus contains approximately 2,000 species of herbs and small shrubs. It’s native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The root is used to make medicine. It can be taken by mouth for the common cold, upper respiratory infections, seasonal allergies, swine flu, fibromyalgia, anemia, and to strengthen and regulate the immune system. It is also used for chronic fatigue syndrome, kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Astragalus is also taken by mouth for angina, asthma, irregular menstruation, menopausal symptoms, and to improve athletic performance and weight loss.
Astragalus tones yang qi of the Earth element, easing imbalances that may manifest as lack of appetite, organ prolapse, diarrhea, fatigue, or uterine bleeding. It is also considered a very important Spleen qi tonic.
Some people use astragalus as a general tonic, to protect the liver, and to fight bacteria and viruses.
How this herb helps women:
Irregular menstruation (amenorrhea).
Early research shows that taking a combination of astragalus and other herbal ingredients by mouth helps improve the regularity of menstrual cycles in women with irregular menstruation.
Astragalus is a rich source of inositol compounds, a carbocyclic sugar found in the human body as well as in many legumes that may play important roles in fertility. The consumption of inositol-rich herbs may support healthy fertility. This can also be used as a formula for uterine fibroid support, as well as in supportive formulas for acute pelvic inflammatory disease.
Menopausal symptoms.
On its own, astragalus root is known for its ability to soothe hot flashes, depression, or even night sweats. It’s a good idea to start using astragalus even before the onset of menopause. This is because it’s great for fighting perimenopause symptoms too.
Weight loss.
Astragalus is an adaptogen and increases the body’s ability to resist and cope with stress (whether physical, mental, or emotional), helping us adapt to the stressor. Incorporating this as part of your weight loss routine, will be beneficial for your brain, and also helping your body adapt the the changes it is going through.
Heart failure.
Some early research shows that giving 60 grams of astragalus intravenously (by IV) for 20 days improves some symptoms of heart failure. However, other early research using the same dose shows no benefit. When taken by mouth along with conventional drugs for heart failure, some early research shows that astragalus can improve heart function and walking distance compared to conventional drugs alone. Find healthy ways to lower your stress levels so you are not at risk of heart attack.
Astragalus is considered to be cardioprotective and is used for mild congestive heart failure and angina. A Chinese study of 72 chronic heart failure patients showed that treatment with astragalus injections in addition to conventional treatment led to a greater improvement in symptom severity, levels of apoptosis-related factors, and measurements of cardiac function compared to conventional treatment alone
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, killing 301,280 women in 2019—or about 1 in every 5 female deaths.
What to know about the safety.
- May be safe when used orally and appropriately. (Doses up to 60 grams daily for up to 4 months have been used without reported adverse effects.) Some possible side effects with oral use include rash, itching, nasal symptoms, or stomach discomfort, but these are uncommon.
- May interact with medications that suppress the immune system.
Overall astragalus is considered safe, and no toxicity has been shown for daily use of the herb. It may be incompatible with immunosuppressive drugs and is contraindicated for patients with late-stage Lyme disease, as it may exacerbate the autoimmune response. It is noted that many other species in the Astragalus genus are toxic to grazing animals (and potentially people) and may cause weakness, loss of nervous control, convulsions, and even death. Always buy astragalus plants, dried material, and herbal preparations from reputable sources.
Take away today.
Take charge of your own health. Listen to your body and the signs it’s sending you. Bringing herbs into your routine means you’ve studied a little bit. You’ve asked plenty of questions to your mentors and you’re prepared to track your progress on some level. This way of healing can be highly beneficial and effective.
Here in the store, you can find Astragalus as a loose root, root powder, or tincture. It is in a few of our herbal blend powders and teas as well!
Stay connected with nature! Join us on the journey to healthy living.
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References:
Sinadinos, 2008
Tierra & Tierra, 1998
Hoffmann, 2003
Foster & Johnson, 2006
CDC
Zhang et al., 2005
Li et al., 2015
Buhner, 2013
Geller SE, Studee L., 2006