Astragalus Is A Little Known And Almost Magical Herb. Properties, Preparation Of Infusions And Decoctions, Cultivation. Photo

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Astragalus Is A Little Known And Almost Magical Herb. Properties, Preparation Of Infusions And Decoctions, Cultivation. Photo
Astragalus Is A Little Known And Almost Magical Herb. Properties, Preparation Of Infusions And Decoctions, Cultivation. Photo

Video: Astragalus Is A Little Known And Almost Magical Herb. Properties, Preparation Of Infusions And Decoctions, Cultivation. Photo

Video: Astragalus Is A Little Known And Almost Magical Herb. Properties, Preparation Of Infusions And Decoctions, Cultivation. Photo
Video: Herbal Infusions vs. Decoctions 2024, March
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Astragalus is an undeservedly forgotten medicinal plant that is easy to grow in the garden. Today, many types of astragalus are known, but this article will discuss the woolly Astragalus, or the fluffy Astragalus, which is recognized by the official pharmacopoeia as a healing plant. By the way, according to one of the versions, it was the astragalus grass that helped the Kremlin leaders to survive to old age and at the same time feel relatively good. We will tell you about the medicinal properties of the plant and the features of its cultivation in the article.

Astragalus is a little-known and almost magical herb
Astragalus is a little-known and almost magical herb

Content:

  • Botanical description of the plant
  • The healing properties of astragalus woolly
  • Preparation and use of decoctions and infusions of astragalus
  • Features of growing astragalus
  • Preparation of medicinal raw materials

Botanical description of the plant

The people call astragalus wolf peas, cat peas, Polish flight, licorice herb, liquorice, God's hands, sweet, centaury, stone St. John's wort, etc. The astragalus (Astragalus dasyanthus) belongs to nitrogen-fixing perennials that contribute to the enrichment of the soil with nitrogen.

Plant height no more than 35-40 cm. Numerous stems are reddish, often brownish-gray, shaggy due to pubescence, recumbent, ascending, erect. Astragalus leaves are complex petiolate, bear on the central elongated petiole up to 12-14 almost sessile, opposite, soft-hairy paired leaves.

Capitate, moderately dense clusters of Astragalus inflorescences with 15-20 yellow flowers are located at the tops of the peduncles. Due to the dense pubescence of all terrestrial organs (excluding the corolla) with short whitish hairs, the plant seems to be covered with a delicate cobweb or felt.

Astragalus flowers are moth flowers, their structure is characteristic of legumes. Flowering lasts from late May to late July. The smell is grassy, weak, the taste is sweetish. Fruits in the form of oval or elliptical-ovoid leathery beans ripen in July-August. Seeds are yellow-greenish, triangular in shape.

Due to the dense pubescence of all terrestrial organs (excluding the corolla) with short whitish hairs, the plant seems to be covered with a delicate cobweb or felt
Due to the dense pubescence of all terrestrial organs (excluding the corolla) with short whitish hairs, the plant seems to be covered with a delicate cobweb or felt

The healing properties of astragalus woolly

The healing properties of Astragalus (according to the literature) were the first to be noted and used by the Scythians. They called this plant the royal herb or the herb of immortality.

But even today it is believed that the medicinal plant astragalus rejuvenates the body, relieves senile impotence, has a significant effect on overwork, physical exertion, increases vitality, and therefore prolongs life.

Due to the unique combination of chemical composition, official medicine has developed on the basis of Astragalus a number of drugs used to treat the cardiovascular system and blood clotting.

Isoflavone content delays the development of tumors, and an increased amount of selenium has a positive effect on the entire body as a whole. Modern medicine today pays special attention to all plants containing selenium. After all, it is no longer a secret that selenium deficiency in organs and tissues significantly reduces the body's resistance to cardiovascular and oncological diseases. So, in terms of the amount of selenium, astragalus is one of the champions among medicinal plants!

Astragalus infusions and decoctions are used for diseases of the kidneys and liver, as a sedative, to lower blood pressure, expand coronary vessels, etc. Today, in pharmacies you can buy Flaronin, Tono-biol, Syrup-Astragalasi, infusions, ointments, creams called "Astragalus".

Ready-made preparations based on woolly Astragalus are also used in cosmetology: they smooth wrinkles, give the skin elasticity, relieve boils, pustules and purulent abscesses.

Preparation and use of decoctions and infusions of astragalus

In folk medicine, astragalus is almost a universal remedy. Experienced herbalists annually harvest the "herb of immortality" and, if necessary, prepare decoctions and infusions (water and alcohol).

They are used for gargling with throat diseases (tonsillitis, stomatitis, periodontal disease, etc.), with rheumatism (articular), external burns, as an expectorant, with scrofula (drinking).

Astragalus is a good diuretic for chronic forms of cystitis, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis. Astragalus decoctions are considered by traditional healers to be the first remedy for diseases of the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.

If you regularly drink infusions and decoctions from Astragalus (4-5 weeks, then a break for about the same and a second course of admission), pain in the heart disappears or significantly decreases, swelling disappears, the heartbeat evens out and, in general, the state of health improves significantly.

Astragalus herbal infusion

2 tablespoons of chopped herbs (about 20 g) in a glass of boiling water (200 ml). Insist half an hour, like a tea leaves, or 15 minutes in a water bath, cool, drain. Bring the infusion to 200 ml. Drink 50 ml 3 times a day or gargle 3-5 times a day.

Astragalus herbal decoction

Pour 2 tablespoons of dry raw materials (20 g) into boiling 200 ml of water, close the container with a lid and turn off the heat. Insist until it cools completely. Strain. Drink 2 tablespoons 3 times a day (after meals).

Astragalus alcohol tincture

1 part of dry raw materials is poured with 3 parts of alcohol or high-quality vodka. Close tightly, shake it periodically for 2 weeks. The present solution is filtered and closed.

Take 25-30 drops 3 times a day before meals.

Experienced herbalists annually harvest the "herb of immortality"
Experienced herbalists annually harvest the "herb of immortality"

Features of growing astragalus

Astragalus loves the sun, is drought-resistant, but needs watering when grown in the southern regions. Grows in open areas, shading and too frequent watering can lead to plant death.

Astragalus is undemanding to soil. But clay soils are undesirable. Does not grow in acidic and saline areas.

The soil is dug up in the fall, and 20-30 g of nitroammofoska or other complete fertilizer is applied to 1 m² of the area. On depleted soils, an additional 2-4 kg of manure (rotted or semi-rotted) is added. The plot is leveled.

In the spring, before sowing Astragalus, the soil is harrowed with a hand harrow or rake. In the second and subsequent years of cultivation, top dressing is applied in the spring, at the beginning of the regrowth of the green mass, with full fertilizer at a dose of 10-20 g per 1 m² of area, preferably under watering.

Astragalus seeds are scarified before sowing, you can use sandpaper. For better germination, they are also soaked for several hours.

Sowing is carried out at the end of March-April in an ordinary way or in separate holes to a depth of 2-3 cm. 10-20 seeds are placed per running meter. The distance between the rows is 40-45 cm.

Astragalus shoots appear in 2 weeks. In the first 2 months, the development of plants is very slow, and they require careful maintenance (weed control, fertilizing, watering). Branching of seedlings occurs in 1-1.5 months, flowering lasts more than a month. During the period of budding and the beginning of flowering, they begin to harvest medicinal raw materials.

Annually, in late autumn, the aerial part of the Astragalus dies. Roots overwinter with renewal buds.

Astragalus is affected by diseases and pests, but since this is a medicinal plant, only biological products are used to protect them: from fungal and bacterial diseases - "Bisolbifit", "Fitosporin-M", etc., from pests - "Lepidocide", "Bitoxibicillin", Fitoverm and others.

Dry astragalus with preservation of medicinal properties is stored for up to two years in dry rooms
Dry astragalus with preservation of medicinal properties is stored for up to two years in dry rooms

Preparation of medicinal raw materials

Harvesting of raw materials begins from the first year in the period of mass budding - the beginning of flowering of Astragalus. Part of the plants for the 2-3rd year of vegetation must be left for seeds.

Astragalus grass is cut in the morning before 11 o'clock in dry weather. Cutting is carried out at a height of 5-7 cm from the soil level.

The collected mass is cleaned of impurities and laid out in a layer up to 7 cm on moisture-absorbing materials (paper, natural fabrics). Do not overheat raw materials and direct sunlight on the grass.

Astragalus is dried in well-ventilated rooms or in dryers at a temperature not exceeding +50 ° C. The end of drying is determined by the fragility of the stems and leaf petioles.

Dry astragalus, preserving its medicinal properties, is stored for up to two years in dry rooms in bags made of natural fabrics or in small loose hanging bunches.

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