Astragalus is not for nothing called the grass of life. According to the legends, it was thanks to this plant that the Kremlin leaders lived to their advanced years and looked much younger than their age. It is not known for certain how the general secretaries of the CPSU Central Committee used this plant, but until the beginning of 1969 all reports and data on astragalus were kept in the strictest secrecy. But recently, scientists have discovered the benefits of this plant for the body and described its chemical composition. Today astragalus is actively used in alternative medicine for the treatment of many diseases. In this article we will talk about the healing properties of the herb of life.
Description of rhubarb
There are more than 1500 varieties of astragalus, which differ in the structure of the flower and chemical composition. Under the word "astragalus" our compatriots imply the astragalus webbed or woolly flowering. These two types of plants are most often used in alternative medicine.
In the people such plants are often called the grass of life or cat peas. Astragalus refers to the herbaceous plants of shrub or semi-shrub forms of life. The woolly-flowered species of this plant is often found on the continental part of Central and Eastern Europe.
The membranous species grows predominantly in eastern Russia, in Mongolia and China. By the way, in China this type of cat peas has gained high popularity and is rather widely used by healers in alternative medicine. 
Astragalus is a perennial plant with a complex leaf structure and sunny yellow flowers (woolly-flowered and webbed species). The length of the leaves can reach 20 cm, width - 6 cm. The plant has a whitish hair with soft and fine hairs. Fruits are presented in the form of beans up to 1 cm long.
Familiarize yourself with the beneficial properties of such herbaceous plants as the medicinal tributary, awnless bonfire, wood louse, immortelle, Crimean ironhouse, goldenrod, real bedpender, sedge, white clover, rape, sverbig eastern, meadowsweet and dried eggs.
The root system of the plant has a strong branching, and the stems reach a height of 40 cm. In the root system of the grass of life, bacteria often settle that process nitrogen into protein, so the plant can grow on nitrogen-poor soils without particular problems.
Kinds
In addition to the woolly-floral and membranous species of this plant, the following varieties of astragalus also remain popular:
- Marshland - grows on forest edges, on steppe meadows, near the coast of rivers, on marshes. Widely distributed on the Asian continent, namely in its north-eastern part. The corolla of the plant is pale yellow, the height of the stem reaches 100 cm, the leaves form pairs (10-13 each per stem).
Did you know? Scythians called astragalus grass of immortality and used the broth of her shoots with mare's milk. Such a decoction helped them to overcome the first signs of old age.
- Daursky - A variety of cat peas with purple-purple flowers and sickle-shaped bean. Distributed in Eastern Siberia, Primorye and the Far East. It grows predominantly on sandy soil near rivers and flood meadows.
- Shrub - dwarf shrub up to 60 cm with purple-lilac flowers and thin lanceolate leaves. Often found in the Altai Territory and in Siberia. It grows on rocky slopes and in mountain pine forests.
Important! Self-treatment with traditional medicine can harm your health. Before starting the treatment course, you should consult with your doctor.
- Povetsvetkovy - A plant with a branched stem, whose height reaches 30 cm. Leaves are blunt, elliptical. The flowers are drooping, petiolate, with a dark yellow corolla. The flowering period falls in July - August. Found on the humus-rich limestone soils of China, Mongolia, Primorye, Amur and Siberia.
- Rising - perennial herb with a rising stem, on which there are 10-12 pairs of leaves. The flowers are purple or blue, the fruits are in the form of webbed beans. It grows in deciduous forests, on dry meadows and along the banks of mountain rivers. Habitat covers most of Central Asia.
- Sweet list - perennial plant with ascending stem up to 90 cm in height. It has unpaired leaves, white-fluffy peduncles and a greenish-yellow corolla. It grows in Europe and Asia Minor in deciduous forests and on the coast of rivers.
Stocking
For medicinal purposes, traditional medicine uses all parts of the plant: flowers: leaves, shoots and root system. The period of collection of shoots, leaves and flowers falls on the astragal flowering phase (May - June). The flowers are collected by carefully cutting off, the leaves and stems must be carefully cut.
The roots of the plant should be excavated in September - October, and the fruits are best collected still immature (August). It is necessary to collect raw materials in places remote from roads and chemical enterprises, as the grass near the above locations will not be environmentally friendly.
Collected non-ligneous shoots, leaves and flowers should be dried in a well-ventilated area. It is best not to dry raw materials in direct sunlight, as you can lose some of the beneficial properties of astragalus. 
If you are the owner of a private house, the raw material can be dried in the attic: hang the shoots in an upright position, and spread the leaves and flowers on the netting material (for good blowing) and leave for a few weeks. The roots are dried in the same way as the leaves with flowers, only a little more time for drying is needed.
Did you know? Goths and Greeks used a decoction of the herb of life to protect against senile impotence.
It is also possible to dry the raw materials in a special dryer at temperatures of + 50 ... +55 ° C, but, according to some experts, this technique is not ideal and can "take away" some useful properties of astragalus.
After the raw material has dried properly and the moisture content of the dry material does not exceed 14%, it can be cut into small pieces and hidden in paper bags for preservation. Dry grass should be stored in a dry, warm and dark place at temperatures not lower than +20 ° C. Under ideal storage conditions, the dry material will be suitable for consumption for 1 year. 
Composition
The biochemical composition of the roots of astragalus is slightly different from the same composition of leaves and shoots. The roots of this plant contain the following useful chemical compounds:
- saponins and triterpene glycosides;
- flavonoids, among which: isoramnetin, narcissin, kaempferol and others;
- oxycoumarins and coumarins;
- tannins and essential oils;
- arabin and basorin.
Shoots and leaves are rich in such biologically active compounds:
- alkaloids and sterols;
- fat and essential oils;
- flavonoids, including: quatakein, ononin, formokeketin and others;
- astragalosides;
- triterpene saponins and phytosteroids.
In addition, all parts of the plant (flowers, leaves, shoots) contain such vitamins and macro-, microelements: - tocopherol, retinol, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene;
- aluminum, selenium, molybdenum, zinc, sodium, magnesium;
- iron, silicon, phosphorus, manganese, tungsten.
Beneficial features
The grass of life has many beneficial properties for the human body. Let's tell about properties and recipes of traditional medicine on the basis of astragalus:
- Immunomodulatory property This is due to the presence of vitamins C and E in the herb, as well as selenium and many organic compounds. To strengthen the body's defenses, you should prepare a decoction of astragalus and take it as a prevention. The broth is prepared as follows: 20 g of dry grass pour 200 ml of water and bring the composition to a boil, then filter and use 2 tbsp. l every 4-5 hours.
Maple, stems of purple, black walnut, hawthorn and turmeric also have immunomodulatory effects.
- Cat peas are effective expectorant property. It is advisable to use in diseases of the upper respiratory tract (bronchitis, pleurisy). For the treatment of such diseases the following remedy is prepared: 3 tbsp. l inflorescences need to pour 250 ml of water, bring to a boil and boil on low heat for 3-4 minutes, then infuse the broth for 3-4 hours. Take 4 tbsp. l 4-6 times a day.
Important! Standard infusion of the roots of astragalus will help to cure liver diseases, as well as glomerulonephritis and nephritis.
- Cardiotonic and vasodilating property. Astragalus components contribute to the relaxation of the epithelial tissue of blood vessels and arteries, exhibit a diuretic effect, improve cerebral circulation. Due to these effects, the level of blood pressure starts to decrease, spasms disappear. The above properties are shown by the root of astragalus, from which it is possible to prepare a vodka tincture: mix 40 g of root powder and 400 g of vodka, insist in a darkened dry place for 10-14 days. Drink 20-25 drops 2-3 times a day for half an hour before meals.
- Antidepressant and sedative effect. Astragalus infusion tones up, improves mood, suppresses nervous states and depression. Prepare the infusion is very simple: 2 tbsp. l crushed leaves and grass flowers pour 0.25 liters of boiling water and leave for 2-3 hours, then strain and use 50 g 2 times a day (in the morning and before bedtime).
- Antibacterial and antiviral properties herbs of life help to effectively get rid of diseases of the infectious nature. Astragalus copes well with the Coxsackie virus, adenovirus, streptococcus, and staphylococcus. For the treatment of infectious diseases prepared infusion based on the roots and shoots: 1.5 tbsp. l root powder and 1.5 Art. l shoots pour a liter of boiling water and insist 1-2 hours, then filter and use 2 tbsp. l 3 times a day for 10-14 days.
- Antioxidant properties Astragalus does not allow the skin and body to age prematurely. To improve vitality, you need to prepare this infusion: 1-2 tbsp. l roots, flowers and shoots pour 250 ml of boiled water and leave for 2-3 hours, take 1 tbsp. l before every meal.
Infusions, tinctures and decoctions based on the herb of life are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases. Often, treatment courses continue throughout the month, but positive rumors have been circulating for a long time about the effectiveness of such therapy.
So, astragalus treatment is carried out with the following pathologies and ailments:
- Atherosclerosis, ischemia and angina. For treatment prepare a standard infusion: 4 tbsp. l dry roots pour a liter of boiling water and insist for 2-3 hours, take this tool should be 2-3 times a day (100 ml before each meal). It should be noted that such an infusion will also be effective in hypertension.
- Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Take the same infusion as in atherosclerosis. During cooking, shoots, leaves and flowers can be used instead of roots. Drink 1/2 cup 3-4 times a day to improve health.
Hazel, hawthorn, ziziphus, silver goof, skoumpia, radish and oxill are also used as a remedy for diarrhea.
- Bronchial asthma. 4 tbsp. l powdered roots or shoots with leaves pour a liter of water and bring to a boil, then boil on a small fire for 10 minutes.
Did you know? Ivan the Terrible considered astragalus holy grass, which helped him to cure many diseases.
Insist broth for 2-3 hours, then strain and use 1 tbsp. l 3 times a day for half an hour before meals. The treatment course should last 40-45 days, then take a ten-day break and repeat therapy. - Diabetes. 4 tbsp. l crushed shoots are added to a liter jar of boiling water and insist 3-4 hours. Take 1 tbsp. l 3-4 times a day for 3 months. This tool will help stabilize blood sugar levels.
- Insomnia. Astragalus helps to overcome chronic and recurrent insomnia. If you sometimes can not sleep at night, then you need to prepare a decoction of cat peas with red wine and use for strong dreams.
For its preparation you need: 5 tbsp. l dry grass mixed with high-quality red wine and boil for 20 minutes, then leave to infuse for 1 hour. To use on 1 glass only in cases when the night dream spontaneously does not come.
Wolfberry, melissa, sunberry, thyme, adonis and verbena drug are also used in the fight against insomnia.
To combat chronic insomnia, you should prepare the following medication: 4 tbsp. l herbs pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and insist 3 hours, take half a cup 2 hours before bedtime and just before going to bed.
- Allergic diseases. In this case, with a skin rash, it is advisable to take therapeutic baths, which are prepared at the rate of 5 tablespoons. l dry grass per 10 liters of warm water.
- Infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract. 3 tbsp. l roots with leaves pour 1/2 liter of boiled water and infuse for an hour, use 2 tbsp. l 3 times a day until complete cure.
Contraindications and harm
If medicinal infusions, tinctures and decoctions of astragalus are taken moderately and without fanaticism, then there will be no side effects and harm to health. With extreme caution (only after consulting a doctor), cat peas should be used to treat people who suffer from hypotension, urolithiasis, chronic constipation.
Important! With a strong arousal, Astragalus tincture is best not to use.
In addition, some people may experience allergic reactions to this plant. Finally, I would like to note that the herb of life is a safe and effective drug that has helped many people heal from serious diseases.
Try it and you prepare yourself a decoction or infusion, and after a while your health will improve significantly.
