Astragalus Root Extract Powder

Astragalus Root Extract comes from the Astragalus membranaceus plant, native to China and long valued in traditional practices. Known for its mild, earthy flavor, astragalus is commonly incorporated into teas, soups, and broths. In modern use, it is also a popular ingredient in powders, capsules, and herbal blends.

Astragalus Root Extract Powder

Z Natural Foods takes pride in offering a diverse selection of foods, tonic herbs, and adaptogens from around the globe to support your wellbeing, and our Astragalus root extract powder is no exception. 

While the market is flooded with a wide variety of astragalus products from the whole root to various concentrations and standardized versions, the versatility of astragalus extract powder can hold its own in this impressive lineup of competitors.

Our astragalus root extract powder has a wide range of uses and endless potential for modern and traditional formulations. Indeed, the tradition of using the whole root powder has its place. However, modern technology has provided us with highly concentrated versions of this amazing tonic herb, allowing us to consume and utilize its most valuable compounds.

With a bitter and slightly sweet flavor profile, astragalus root extract powder exhibits excellent potential for a wide range of daily applications, such as your morning cup of coffee. Our mission is to provide customers with highly functional tonic herbs with endless applications in their most versatile form, supporting a variety of lifestyles. We proudly introduce this fantastic member of our diverse line of tonic herbs: Z Natural Foods’ Astragalus Root Extract Powder. 

Fun and interesting facts about Astragalus Root

• Astragalus’s name, Huang Qi, literally translates to yellow leader, which signifies its role as a top TCM tonic herb.
• Astragalus is well known to play well with and support the function of other herbs in formulas due to its Qi tonic abilities.
• Astragalus is considered a potent tonic in both Western herbalism and TCM.
• While there are over 2000 species of astragalus, Astragalus membranaceus is most commonly used.
• In parts of China, Astragalus is known as “little ginseng” for its Qi-moving qualities.
• Astragalus is recognized both as a food and a medicine, as it is a common ingredient in wine and broth.
• Astragalus is considered one of the top 50 foundational herbs in TCM.
• Astragalus is one of the few herbs known as a longevity tonic.
• Astragalus is a resilient root that can be grown in unfavorable conditions and thrives.
• Many astragalus roots are often harvested at the four to five-year mark.

Astragalus: One of the Great Tonic Herbs of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Tonic herbs are defined based on function and criteria. In simple terms, four primary fundamental aspects define a tonic herb.

• They create and support physical, mental, and emotional well-being through the appropriate balance of Yin and Yang energy to attain vibrant health.
• They can be used for an unlimited period with no adverse effects
• Regardless of how long an individual uses tonic herbs, they never build a tolerance.
• True tonics come from their authentic source and spiritual homeland. This principle is known in Daoist herbalism as Di Tao and makes a vital difference in potency and efficacy.

All tonic herbs nourish at least one of what TCM calls The Three Treasures. The three treasures are interconnected and contribute to overall health and well-being. They are as follows:

• Jing is essence primarily stored in the kidneys. Jing is one’s constitution, regulates growth and development, and works with Qi to protect the body from harmful external conditions. Poor constitution, blood loss, and excessive sexual activity can cause jing essence deficiencies.
• Qi is a life force or vital energy stored in the kidneys. Both the physical and emotional are manifested as Qi. One is inherited from our parents, and the second is derived from essential substances like air, food, and water. Deficiencies are caused by poor nutrition and digestion, chronic stress, and constrained breathing.
• Shen is the emotional and spirit layer of our being that reflects the state of our nervous system. Shen lives in the heart and is said to “preside over the activities that take place in the spiritual and mental planes.” Because Shen lives in the heart, people with disturbed Shen may experience anxiety, stress, difficulty breathing, and insomnia. In such cases, the primary weakness is from the spleen, which cannot generate enough blood to nourish the heart and anchor the Shen.

There are four primary categories of tonic herbs:

• Qi Tonics
• Blood Tonics
• Yin Tonics
• Yang Tonics

Mechanisms of action of Astragalus according to TCM

Astragalus is a major Qi Tonic known as the “Great Protector of Qi” because it fortifies protective Qi, which flows just under the skin and in the muscles.

• In traditional Chinese medicine, the innate immune system is linked to a concept called Wei Qi, which is the body’s defense energy.
• This “surface energy” supports the opening and closing of pores, our first line of defense against external environmental changes.
• In Chinese medicine, the term dampness describes conditions in which an individual cannot properly metabolize fluids.
• Astragalus is slightly warming with strong supportive qualities for the spleen and lungs (2 organs specific to fluid metabolism) and is known to support “fluid metabolism.”
• As a  “Double-Directional Adaptogen,” it may also support good posture and tonify organs in the abdominal and pelvic cavity.
• It is well known for its strengthening effects on the outside of the body, specifically on the musculature.
• Astragalus is traditionally used to strengthen the legs and arms, and is commonly used by those who work in cold environments because it is known to strengthen and warm.

For clarity, when we refer to Astragalus as an “adaptogen,” it is based on TCM’s principle definition. According to TCM, all Qi tonics are considered adaptogens. However, not all adaptogens are Qi tonics.

Astragalus: A top ingredient in many long-standing traditional tonic herbal formulas

Astragalus is considered one of the top 50 foundational herbs in TCM. As mentioned earlier, astragalus works and plays well with other herbs and is a staple in many of the most long-standing traditional tonic formulas.

Some include, but are not limited to the following: Astragalus/Codonopsis, Codonopsis/Longan combination, Ginseng Nutritive Combination, and original classical dabuwan. While astragalus has its short-term applications, it is primarily used for extended periods as a restorative. Its yellow color emphasizes its importance as a potent Qi tonic (much like another potent Qi tonic, Ginseng), often linked to the earth elements, the spleen, and stomach, and represents balance, nourishment, energy, and warmth. However, its most important relevance is that it represents vitality and harmony.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM),

• The Spleen and Stomach are critical for digestion.
• They work together to transform food into usable Qi and Blood.
• The Stomach receives and digests food, while the Spleen governs the transport and transformation of nutrients, separating the pure from the impure.
• Imbalances in the Spleen and Stomach can lead to various health issues, including digestive problems, fatigue, and even emotional imbalances.
• The stomach is a yang organ that is associated with activity, heat, and transformation. The spleen is a yin organ associated with being cool, passive, and substantial.

Astragalus: A Western Herbal Perspective

To understand the Western medicine perspective on Astragalus, it is essential to discuss one of its primary components: polysaccharides. 

In simple terms, Polysaccharides are large carbohydrate molecules containing many small sugar molecules (monosaccharides) bonded by a glycosidic linkage (a type of bond that joins a carbohydrate molecule to another group).

They are the most abundant carbohydrate found in food. Polysaccharides consist of more than ten monosaccharide units linked together. Polysaccharides form when monosaccharides and disaccharides link together (resulting from a dehydration process). The sugars participating in this bond are called residues. It is believed that Polysaccharides isolated from astragalus produce immunomodulating effects via activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-related mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activities. In simple terms, this process represents the first line of defense against infection. 

The following was stated in a review discussing the Pharmacological Action of Astragalus polysaccharides.

• The main components of A. membranaceus are Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), flavonoid compounds, saponins, and alkaloids.
• APS, the most critical naturally active component in A. membranaceus, possesses multiple pharmacological properties.
• APS has the vast potential to develop a drug that improves or treats different diseases.

How Astragalus affects the immune system: A Western Perspective

The influences of Astragalus Polysaccharides on the immune system provide a tonifying and balancing response. Dendritic cells (DCs) are key in activating the immune response, and APS facilitates their growth and maturation.

• It supports the increased proliferation and differentiation of B and T lymphocytes, a replication process necessary to fight infection.
• Regulating the balance in the T lymphocyte subgroup- a process that prevents autoimmunity and chronic inflammation.
• Regulating natural killer cells and macrophages is crucial, as this interaction forms the first line of defense against pathogens.

Furthermore, APS exerts different effects on cytokines under various conditions.

• Under normal physiological conditions, it can promote cytokine production and enhance immunity.
• However, APS can reduce inflammatory response factors and protect cells or the body after cytokines increase due to an inflammatory response.

In simple terms, Astragalus has the ability to modulate the immune response. 

How Astragalus Affects Inflammation: A Western Perspective

As stated above, Astragalus is well known for its ability to modulate immune cell activity via influencing the activity of various immune cells, including macrophages and T cells. 

However, it has also been shown to play a key role in supporting a healthy inflammation response.

Astragalus may activate various anti-inflammatory pathways, such as AMPK (a cellular energy sensor that plays a role in regulating inflammation and metabolism), while at the same time, suppressing pro-inflammatory pathways like NF-kB, which is involved in cell signaling and inflammation.

Summary of Important Information

Z Natural Foods hand-picks specific ingredients for our customers based on three concepts to provide the best quality product possible to support optimal well-being.

• Versatility
• History of safe and effective usage
• Strong evidence of positive research outcomes in humans

Tonic herbs are defined based on function and criteria.

• They create and support physical, mental, and emotional well-being through the appropriate balance of Yin and Yang energy to attain vibrant health.
• They can be used for an unlimited period with no adverse effects
• No matter how long an individual uses tonic herbs, they never build a tolerance.
• True tonics come from their authentic source and spiritual homeland. This principle is known in Daoist herbalism as Di Tao and makes a vital difference in potency and efficacy.
• All tonic herbs nourish at least one of what TCM calls The Three Treasures (Jing, Qi, and Shen)

Mechanisms of action of Astragalus according to TCM

• In traditional Chinese medicine, the innate immune system is linked to a concept called Wei Qi, which is the body’s defense energy.
• This “surface energy” supports the opening and closing of pores, our first line of defense against external environmental changes.
• In Chinese medicine, the term dampness describes conditions in which an individual cannot properly metabolize fluids.
• Astragalus is slightly warming with strong supportive qualities for the spleen and lungs (2 organs specific to fluid metabolism) and is known to support “fluid metabolism.”
• As a  “Double-Directional Adaptogen,” it may also support good posture and tonify organs in the abdominal and pelvic cavity.
• It is well known for its strengthening effects on the outside of the body, specifically on the musculature.
• Astragalus is traditionally used to strengthen the legs and arms, and is commonly used by those who work in cold environments because it is known to strengthen and warm.

Astragalus: A Western Herbal Perspective

• To understand the Western medicine perspective on Astragalus, it is essential to discuss one of its primary components: polysaccharides.
•  Polysaccharides are large carbohydrate molecules containing many small sugar molecules (monosaccharides) bonded by a glycosidic linkage (a type of bond that joins a carbohydrate molecule to another group).
• They are the most abundant carbohydrate found in food.
• Polysaccharides consist of more than ten monosaccharide units linked together. Polysaccharides form when monosaccharides and disaccharides link together (resulting from a dehydration process).
• The sugars participating in this bond are called residues.
• It is believed that Polysaccharides isolated from astragalus produce immunomodulating effects via activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-related mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activities.
• In simple terms, this process represents the first line of defense against infection.

Some research suggests that Astragalus may contain the following constituents:

• Phytochemicals: Saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides and glycosides, soyasapogenoside, formononetin, calycosin, canavanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, aspartame, protein, astragaloside I, astragaloside II, astragaloside IV; 3S-(-)mucronulatol-7-D-glucopyranoside, astraglan I, astraglan II, astraglan III, astragaloside V-VIII, dimethyl 4, 4-dimethoxy-5, 6, 5′, 6′-dimethylenedioxybiphenyl-2, 2-dicar-oxylate, daucosterol, isorhamnetin, formononetin4-O-glucoside, Beta-sitosterol, astrafalussaponin I, II, III, kumatakenin, 1-3-hydroxy-9-methoxpterocarpan
• Trace minerals: zinc
• Amino Acids: Aspartic acid, threonine, serine, glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, cystine
• Lipids: Linoleic acid, linolenic acid
• Vitamins: Choline, betaine, folic acid
• Flavones: Kaempferol, quercetin, quercetin-3-glucoside

This product is 100% natural and minimally processed: Taste, smell, texture, and color vary from batch to batch.

Suggested Use: Mix 1/3 teaspoon with juice or yogurt, add to your favorite smoothie, or infuse into a tea.

Mixing Suggestion: To increase the flavor and nutritional profile, combine our fo-ti extract and cordyceps extract powder for an excellent tonic. For a bit of sweetness, add a pinch of our 7% Luo Han extract.

Miscellaneous Facts about our Astragalus Root Extract Powder

Ingredients: Astragalus Root Extract and Tapioca maltodextrin derived from organically grown yuca root*.

Parts Used: Astragalus Root.

Botanical Name: Astragalus membranaceus.

Other Names: Milkvetch Root, Huang Qi, Astragalus, Huang-qi.

Origin: Grown and extracted in China and packaged with care in Florida, USA.

*This product contains a small amount of tapioca maltodextrin, a starch made from organically grown non-GMO yuca root (cassava root). This starch acts as a drying agent and keeps this powder from clumping into hard chunks or one solid brick.