If you drink astragalus tea, you can benefit from its many antioxidant effects and its general boost to your health.
What is Astragalus Tea?
Astragalus tea is a specialized form of tea that is brewed from the root of a specific pea plant, scientifically known as Astragalus membranaceous. The root of this plant has been used in various traditional remedies for thousands of years in China but was primarily known as an immunity booster. This root contains a high concentration of flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides, which provide strong antioxidant protection to the system. Furthermore, this root contains adaptogens, which are compounds that can alter your body’s metabolic response, essentially helping your body work more efficiently. As a result, the dried root of this plant is a very important element in traditional medicine. [1]
Astragalus Tea Benefits
The many benefits of astragalus tea include its impact on heart conditions, the immune system, digestive problems, and energy levels, among others.
Immune System
Primarily known as an immune system tonic, astragalus tea activates T-cells and seeks out free radicals everywhere in the body, neutralizing them before they can stimulate cellular mutation, and eliminate infectious pathogens. [2]
Energy Levels
By improving metabolic function, this tea can also provide a healthy boost of energy to those who regularly drink it. [3]
Astragalus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Cardiovascular Health
Known to strengthen the tissues of blood vessels and arteries, and reduce triglyceride levels, this tea is an excellent cardio-protective home remedy. [4]
Respiratory Issues
In traditional medicine, astragalus tea was often recommended for people suffering from chest infections, coughs, and asthma. The tea has a soothing and anti-inflammatory effect on the respiratory tissues. [5]
Digestion
This tea has the ability to soothe inflammation in the gut, improving nutrient uptake and reducing symptoms of constipation, bloating, cramping, and general stomach upset. [6]
How to Make Astragalus Tea?
If you want to make astragalus tea at home, all you need is either dried or fresh astragalus root.
Strengthening Astragalus Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 tsp astragalus root
Instructions
- Bring the water to boil.
- Add the astragalus root and allow the mixture to boil for 3-4 minutes, depending on how strong you want the tea.
- Strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove the root.
- Serve warm or store in the refrigerator for later use.
Notes
Astragalus Tea Side Effects
While there are many great benefits to this tea, there are also some risks of which you should be aware, such as autoimmune disease or bleeding disorders. Since this root stimulates the immune system to such a degree, it can make certain autoimmune conditions worse, so speak with your doctor before adding to your health regimen. Furthermore, some people are allergic to astragalus and will experience stomach upset or other common allergy symptoms when they consume this tea.
