All you need to know about Organic Astragalus Root before Consuming it
What is Organic Astragalus Root?
Astragalus is a genus in the plant family Fabaceae. They are found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, known as Huang qi or Milk Vetch, produces an herbal root that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat illnesses related to fatigue and "deficient Qi." One of the major bioactive substances responsible for its medicinal properties is a group of molecules called Flavonoids, which are unique to plants. Flavonoids are known to have antioxidant properties. In addition, there are also at least 25 different kinds of saponins in Astragalus that have been identified. It has been reported that these saponins can affect immune cells by causing them to secrete cytokines, a type of small proteins crucial for cell signaling and communication between cells.
What is the Taste of Organic Astragalus Root?
Astragalus Root is a somewhat sweet and starchy-tasting herb. Astragalus samples with more pronounced rooty flavors, including those from wild-crafted plants, are said to be of better quality than those with less noticeable flavors. It has been used as a base note for herbal teas and as such mixes well with other herbs such as Schizandra Berry, Chinese Ginseng, and Licorice Root. When selecting organic Astragalus, we recommend that you purchase roots that have an earthy aroma and taste close to the taste of potatoes or chestnuts.
Astragalus Flavor Tea
Astragalus flavor's usage in tea is prominent, as it is used as a flavoring agent and the tea containing Astragalus flavor is sold as a curative tea.
Astragalus flavor tea is prepared in a similar way to the preparation of Oolong and Pu-erh tea.
Steps:
- Place 7 g of Astragalus in 500 ml boiling water.
- Remove the foam floating on top using a strainer.
- Leave to steep for 5 minutes and then serve.
Astragalus flavor is used in four types of tea: Astragalus tea, Hong Quing Cha (red rose tea), Kuding cha, and Pu Erh tea.
Astragalus flavor tea can be consumed both hot and cold.
It is also possible to blend the flavor with other teas, for example, blending it with jasmine tea or honeybush tea provides a sweet aroma.
What is Organic Astragalus Root Extract?
The term "extract" refers to the extraction process itself and not necessarily what it is being extracted from. The process of extraction requires the use of chemicals to separate and concentrate specific compounds contained in an herb or other organic material, such as the roots of Astragalus. These extracts are often concentrated into powders that can be easily added to beverages or encapsulated for easy ingestion.
There are Three Primary Types of Organic Astragalus Root Extracts:
Aqueous Extract, Water-soluble fraction of the root. It is typically prepared by boiling or simmering roots in water for several hours, removing insoluble fibers, and then squeezing the remaining liquid from the fiber.
Alcohol Extract, Alcohol soluble fraction of the root. It is prepared by soaking freshly harvested roots in alcohol that has been boiled to remove all resinous compounds and then allowing it to sit for at least 48 hours to allow any lipids or other resins to settle out before removing them through filtration. The process can be repeated many times with a fresh solution until desired results are achieved.
Hot Water Extract (or decoction), A hot water extract of the root involves reduction of aqueous extracts or powdered root in the water below the boiling point, typically 80-90 C (176-194 F), which is just hot enough that evaporation is minimal.
How do you Prepare Organic Astragalus Root? How do you take Astragalus Root Powder?
The Roots Of Astragalus are typically prepared as a decoction, or boiled in water for up to 30 minutes. This allows for the extraction of specific chemical components contained within the root while removing undesirable compounds such as resins and tannins that can cause upset stomachs when consumed in large doses. For this reason, it is recommended that you purchase whole dried roots instead of powdered ones since they will be more palatable when needed. One teaspoon per day is generally considered a safe dosage for adults who wish to take it daily to keep their immune systems strong and healthy. To prepare organic Astragalus Root decoction simply combine one teaspoon of powder with 8 ounces of boiling water, allow it to sit for 20-30 minutes, and then enjoy. It can be taken on its own or mixed with other herbal teas.
Where are the biggest areas of Astragalus Root Growth?
Astragalus is native to China but has been exported to Europe for use in Chinese medicine since the second century AD when Greek physicians brought it back from China with them after serving as imperial doctors in Ancient Imperial China. The genus name "Astragalus" is derived from Ancient Greek meaning "star" (a) and "to bend," an allusion to its curved fruit that looks like a star. There are over 1700 different species of Astragalus growing in various regions throughout Asia, North America, and Europe, making it the largest genus of plants in the Fabaceae family. The majority of Astragalus Root is cultivated from organic farms in China, but a few plantations have been established in Poland and some other European countries with great success.
How do you Grow Astragalus?
Astragalus grows best in well-drained loam soils with a pH between 6 and 7. There are 1724 different species of Astragalus growing throughout Asia, North America, and Europe so it's easy to see why organic farms tend to gravitate towards these regions for their harvest. It does well in full sun or part shade conditions with adequate watering during dry spells. While they can be grown by seed, propagation typically involves replanting root cuttings which are not only easier to propagate, but also more likely to produce healthy plants. It takes approximately 3-5 years for Astragalus Root to mature and while harvesting roots is not recommended, many people cut off the top stems of the plant leaving some foliage to continue growing so they can harvest again the following year.
Conclusion:
Astragalus Root is an important tonic that has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine to strengthen and support the immune system. Also as a delicious organic addition that adds sweetness and depth to a variety of culinary dishes.