Want to know more about this plant under the radar but essential for professionals? Keep reading to discover the traditional uses and benefits of scientifically supported ankle splints, as well as two ways to incorporate them into your wellness routine.
Benefits and uses of Astragalus
The plant ankle is made from the root of the astragalus plant, which is native to parts of Asia. In TCM, the ankle is known as Huang Qi and Lashai says it is used for myriad medical purposes. “It’s in a class called ‘qi-stimulating herbs,'” says Lashai. “The It really helps most of the body’s basic layers to recover or function better. “In Western botany, it is categorized as an adaptogen.
Most commonly, says Rachelle Robinett, a registered botanist, AHG & Supernatural Founder, used for its ability to provide support to the immune system. “The Astragalus is considered an ‘immune amphoteric’, which means that it helps to normalize the functioning of the immune system – neither by suppressing it nor by overstimulating it, but by encouraging it to function optimally,” he says. “It is traditionally used for both immunosuppressive and immunosuppressive conditions, such as allergies.” According to Lashai, the ankle also increases the number of white blood cells (thus boosting immunity). “It has been shown to help the immune system with colds and flu, and have antibiotic effects on certain bacteria “.
Astragalus is also hematopoietic, says Lashai, which means it can also increase the number of red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and carbon dioxide from the rest of the body to the lungs. In addition, the ankle is antihypertensive, he says, because it has been shown to dilate peripheral blood vessels. This means that it can have a protective effect against high blood pressure.
The herb is also known to benefit the liver. “Because the ankle has hepatoprotective effects, it is often used in the treatment of hepatitis – and in many formulas for the treatment of hangover,” says Lashai. It can also be used to support kidneys, bone health and as an anti-inflammatory, Robinett adds.
Both herbalists note that the ankle has also been shown to help inhibit tumor growth and is often used in TCM as an herbal support alongside cancer treatments.
Finally, Lashai says that many TCM professionals she knows drink it in their tea to benefit from its traditional use for longevity — and preliminary research shows that it can help lengthen your telomeres, which are an essential part of human cells that affect the way our cells age. Lashai also uses an ankle in its fertility formulas and often adds it to a formula if a patient has diarrhea, fatigue or anemia.
How To Incorporate The Ankle Into Your Diet And Wellness Routine
As mentioned, Lashai recommends throwing a few pieces of raw ankle into your tea or other hot beverage, as you would with reishi or other adaptive herbs. “Using it daily in your tea routine would be good,” he says. “But if you are trying to get it for medical reasons, then always consult a doctor of Chinese medicine because there are different forms of it and different extracts that may be preferable for your condition. According to Robinett, you can also find ankle powder. , capsule or tincture.
Astragalus recipes
You can also cook with the ankle, says Robinett. ““Astragalus root can be simmered for a long time in tea, soups, broths and other recipes,” he says. Here are two delicious ways to try it:
1. Adaptive herbs + tea that fights stress
While you can simply brew the ankle in water for a tea, as Lashai suggests, this recipe gives this basic drink a little extra kick. In addition to the ankle, it has adapters ashwagandha, reishi, cordyceps, gingseng and licorice.
2. Vegan bone broth
Although she does not specifically mention the ankle in this video, Robinett says you can easily use it as an adapter of your choice in this vegan nutritional broth.
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