Astragalus – The Immune Defender (Wei Qi) and Longevity Activator (Telomerase)
Astragalus, also known as Astragalus membranaceus or Huang Qi, is a famous root from Chinese medicine. It’s one of the top one’s so I’m happy to say we finally have it available, even if just for VIP members, at Lost Empire Herbs.
It’s the main herb known to help stimulate Qi, specifically a form known as Wei Qi or Defender Qi. This provides the protective energy of the body known to strengthen immunity and help keep you energized.
It’s also been said to support Upright Qi, that is your ability and energy to stay upright throughout your day, compared to needing to sit or lay down with exhaustion. This Upright Qi is also said to help support the organs ability to defy gravity.
Modern research has shown how it may even directly impact aging at the very root, in our DNA.
Astragalus is sweet and slightly warming. It targets the spleen and lung, both important to immune function in Chinese medicine.
Astragaloside IV, Telomeres and Longevity
Telomeres are the end caps of your DNA. A base pair is lost with each dividing. Shortened telomeres are strongly associated with aging. So longer telomeres is good for you if you want to be healthy and long-lived.
There is some research into how Astragalus acts as an anti-aging tonic. Much of this is surrounding astragaloside IV and its ability to stimulate telomerase activity. Telomerase is an enzyme that can add more sequences to telomeres, thus lengthening them.
There’s a product called TA-65 (for telomerase-activator), which isolates a specific compound, astragaloside IV, from Astragalus. This has been shown in a placebo-controlled human trial to statistically lengthen telomeres in clinically significant ways.
Some research has looked at and found the ability of Astragalus extracts themselves to lengthen telomeres.
And that is just one effect this amazing herb has…
System’s Wide Beneficial Effects
There’s hardly a system or place in the body that Astragalus hasn’t been shown to have some effect on. This includes:
- Anti-Inflammatory Activity
- Immunomodulation
- Adaptogen
- Cardioprotective
- Insulin Signaling Regulation
- Antioxidant
- Antiaging
- Antiviral
- Hepatoprotective
- Neuroprotective
- Mitochondria Protective
Astragalus has also been shown to lessen side effects cause by the toxicity of pharmaceutical drugs such as chemotherapy and radiation.
There’s also a fair amount of research showing that Astragalus works on respiration, specifically bringing its inflammation and immune system modulating effects to the area.
There are numerous useful compounds, over 200 at last count, found inside the Astragalus root. This includes:
- Triterpenes such as astragalosides
- Polysaccharides such as glucans
- Flavonoids such as formononetin
- Phytosterols
- Trace minerals
Quality and Processing
The Astragalus used in this tincture is sourced from China.
The roots must be at least four years old before harvesting. The roots resemble tongue depressors after being harvested, dried in the shade and then sliced open. Good quality roots are large and characteristically yellow.
These were tinctured for over six weeks in a menstruum made with:
- Organic Cane Alcohol 40% ABV
- Filtered Fresh Spring Water
After pressing the roots, they are calcined and ground down into a fine, then further extracted with distilled water and a gentle evaporation process until crystals are formed. These purified “salts” are added back into the tincture to finish the process.
Recommended Dosage
Our recommended starting dose is one squirt (about 30 drops) once per day.
If you’re Qi deficient or need added defense, feel free to increase this dosage much higher.
Best effects come from taking Astragalus over longer-term use (months). It is more often used in the fall and winter with its slightly warming effects.
Contraindications
Astragalus appears to be one of the safest herbs out there. In several studies, the adverse effects of Astragalus tend to be less than those of placebo groups.
The only contraindication appears to be immunosuppressive drugs, because of the immune system stimulating properties. It can lessen the effectiveness of such drugs.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.