Tick Bite Prevention & More: Spotlight on Astragalus Herb
Beloved astragalus, Astragalus membranaceus, is a renowned plant offering a wide spectrum of healing benefits. Recorded several thousand years ago in Shen Nong’s Materia Medica, astragalus has longstanding therapeutic application for strengthening one’s life force (aka chi or prana), enlivening vital energy, and enhancing overall wellness. A special immunomodulatory action provides exceptional care for restoring the body’s immune system, such as support for autoimmune conditions, chronic illness, or cancer. With antibacterial and antiviral gifts, astragalus is a fabulous topical treatment for healing wounds.
Several years ago, I learned about a wondrous new unique benefit during grad school for herbal medicine about how astragalus helps to prevent tick bites. As many of you may know, I’m a forest spirit through and through and love to spend hours at a time in the woods. I don’t wish for my love of the outdoors to be held back out of fear of contracting Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses, so I add astragalus into my daily herbal medicine routine in early spring through the first frost in autumn every year as a powerful preventive measure.
There are a plethora of other incredible benefits as well! For example, I recently read current evidence-based research on the prebiotic qualities of astragalus. As an incredible digestive aid, astragalus addresses intestinal microbiota abnormalities, optimizes the structure of intestinal microbiota, and regulates intestinal microbiota. This herb is well worth integrating into your home herbal toolkit!
Herbal actions include:
Adaptogen
Antibacterial
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Antiviral
Diuretic
Hepatoprotective
Hypotensive
Immune Amphoteric
Immunomodulator
Neuroprotective
Prebiotic
Sipping this astragalus-infused breakfast smoothie while overlooking a newly budding garden of delights was a super enjoyable way to receive this beauty’s healing medicine! You can also take astragalus as a tea decoction, tincture, glycerite, or easily cook with the whole root in your favorite soups and broths.
Safety and contraindications: no known adverse reactions. Avoid use during the acute stages of infection. Very safe while pregnant and breastfeeding.
References
Braun, L., & Cohen, M. (2015). Herbs and natural supplements: An evidence-based guide
volume 2. Elsevier Australia.
Easley, T., & Horne, S. (2016). The modern herbal dispensatory: A medicine making guide.
North Atlantic Books.
Gardner, Zoe & McGuffin, M. (2013). American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety
Handbook. CRC Press.
