Common Name:   Astragalus Root – Huang qi

Latin Name:   Astragalus membranaceus

Annual/Perennial:   Perennial

Sun/Shade:   Sun

Height/Width:   4 feet

Bloom Time:   Harvest root in the fall of 4-7 year old roots.

Zone:   4-10

Parts of Plant Used:   Root

Medicinal Benefits:   adaptagen, antibiotic, antiviral, immune stimulant, dyspnea, heart,  increases vital energy, tonic, useful in chronic illness, increases stamina, endurance and resistance to disease,  medicinal food, 

Ways to Use:   tea, tonic, elixir, syrup, decoction, honey, lozenge, tincture, cider vinegar tincture.

Recipes:   Immune System Suport Tincture – Glass jar with tight fitting lid. Astragalus root, milk thistle and spilanthes – Approximately 1 cup of chopped fresh herbs combined or 1/4 cup of coarsely ground dried herbs combined, 1 pint Everclear vodka. Put the herbs in the jar and cover with the vodka. Put the lid on tightly and shake well. This is called the menstruum. Store this at room temperture for 4-6 weeks. Shake well every day. Keep out of direct heat and light. You can keep it on your kitchen countertop so you will remember to shake it. After 6 weeks, cover a colandar with a cotton cloth or cheesecloth and place on a bowl to collect the liquid. Pour menstruum slowly in colandar, strain herbs. Squeeze out cloth to get all of the liquid. Bottle and tightly cap the tincture. Label and date the bottle. This is a great tincture to use for immune system support.