What are the benefits of the astragalus for the brain and memory? How does it stimulate cognitive functions? How to use it? What is the dosage? What are the side effects and contraindications? And finally what are the other plants to stimulate the brain?
I. What Is Astragalus?
Astragalus is a plant native to China, which can also be found in Korea. This plant has been used in Chinese medicine for more than 1000 years to treat various ailments.
Considered a plant of youth and energy, astragalus has an extremely rich composition.
Astragalus is also studied for its action on the brain and memory, and what it could bring to people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.
II. Benefits of Astragalus for the Brain and Memory
1. How Does Astragalus Act on the Brain
It is the numerous properties of astragalus that allow it to act on the brain and memory. This plant has first of all an action on the immune system, which it reinforces.
This allows it to help several organs to remain healthy, even after 65 years and the immune decline that follows this age.
In China, astragalus is often prescribed a bit like ginseng, to give energy and boost a tired body.
It is particularly appreciated by the elderly for this, as it allows them to maintain good health.
Convalescents and all those with fragile health can also enjoy the benefits of this miraculous plant.
Astragalus can improve the state of the brain because it protects the nerve cells. It reduces their degeneration and avoids their disappearance. This plant can thus bring a plus and slow down the propagation of a disease like Alzheimer’s.
If astragalus is considered good for the brain and memory, it is also because it repairs neurons.
Studies have been conducted to verify this feature, and the results have been conclusive.
Scientists also believe that astragalus could, thanks to one of its enzymes, slow down the disappearance of telomeres. An action that would also affect the neuronal cells, which could remain young longer.
2. How to Use Astragalus to Stimulate the Brain and the Memory
Astragalus can be used in many ways. It will depend on how it has been stored.
If you have powdered astragalus, you can take it by diluting it in a drink. This can be a smoothie, a glass of water, or fruit juice.
You can also, after preparing a broth, sprinkle astragalus on it.
Nowadays, this plant is also packaged in capsules and tablets. In these two cases, you will only have to read the instructions to know how to consume it.
In mother tincture, astragalus is concentrated and diluted in water.
But the most traditional form is in the form of dried root. This is how astragalus is taken to make a decoction, which you can drink as a cure for a month.
3. Dosage
No matter how you choose to consume this plant, take between 1.5g and 5g per day.
It is preferable to take it before the meals, with a delay included between 5 and 10 minutes.
To better enjoy the benefits of astragalus, do not hesitate to make cures of 2 to 3 months. But space each one out by at least a week.
If you take astragalus in tablets or 500 mg capsules, you can take 3 capsules per day maximum.
In tincture, consume between 6 and 12 ml, and in powder between 4 and 7 g.
4. Neuroprotective Benefits
Due to the neuroprotective properties of its active ingredients, astragalus is used in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Astragalus helps to protect the cerebral cortex and increase the plasticity of its neurons. The active ingredient of astragalus can relieve the mineral overload of the brain.
5. Improve Memory
It is the many properties of astragalus that allow it to act on the brain and memory. This plant affects the immune system by reinforcing it.
This allows it to help several organs to remain healthy, even after 65 years, and the immune decline after this age.
6. Astragalus and Alzheimer
Astragalus can improve the condition of the brain because it protects the nerve cells. It reduces their degradation and prevents them from disappearing.
Therefore, this plant can provide benefits and slow down the spread of diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
III. Possible Side Effects and Contra-Indications
Few side effects are recognized with the consumption of astragalus. One of them is the appearance of gastric pains, but these are usually light. They disappear as soon as the consumption of astragalus stops.
It is also possible, although in rare cases, to develop allergic reactions such as itching.
By prudence, and because it is still rather badly known in the Western world, the catch of astragalus is disadvised for certain people.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women, people under anticoagulant treatment, suffering from hypotension or autoimmune diseases; should refrain from consuming astragalus.
IV. Other Health Benefits of Astragalus
1. Boosts the Immune System
Astragalus is used to protect and support the immune system, prevent colds and upper respiratory infections, lower blood pressure, treat diabetes and protect the liver.
Astragalus has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is sometimes used on the skin to heal wounds.
2. Soothe Seasonal Allergies
Astragalus is known as an immunomodulator, balancing the body’s immune response. It is also considered an adaptogen, helping us adapt to various stressors, including environmental ones.
It improves symptoms such as runny nose, itching, and sneezing in people with seasonal allergies.
3. Helps in the Proper Functioning of the Heart
Astragalus can help improve heart function in people with certain heart conditions.
This herb widens blood vessels and increases the amount of blood pumped by the heart.
4. May Help Cure Hepatitis
Astragalus is used to protect and support the immune system, prevent colds and upper respiratory infections, lower blood pressure, treat diabetes and protect the liver.
Astragalus, therefore, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can cure hepatitis.
5. Can Help You Sleep Well
As an adaptogen, astragalus is ideal for helping the body combat stress, both emotional and physical.
6. Anti-Aging Properties
In addition to activating the enzyme telomerase, astragalus slows down the aging process by protecting the mitochondria.
By reducing or eliminating harmful free radicals from cells, damage can be reduced or reversed, slowing the aging process.
Many anti-aging beauty creams are formulated with astragalus root.
7. Fatigue and Stamina
Research shows that some herbal products containing astragalus and other herbal ingredients can reduce feelings of fatigue in people with chronic fatigue syndrome.
However, not all doses seem to work. In addition, it is not clear whether the benefit is due to astragalus or other herbal ingredients.
8. Reduces Anemia and Other Blood Disorders
Research shows that intravenous (IV) administration of astragalus improves symptoms and blood cell counts in people with aplastic anemia.
9. May Help Manage Diabetes
Research suggests that taking astragalus for one month improves blood sugar and insulin levels when taken with anti-diabetic medications.
10. Kidney Function
People who undergo heart surgery have an increased risk of sudden kidney failure after surgery.
Taking astragalus before, during, and after some type of heart surgery seems to protect against sudden kidney failure.
11. Fights Colds and Flu
Astragalus is used to prevent or treat colds, although in some cases it can make colds worse.
Test results suggest that astragalus may work against viruses such as those that cause colds.
V. Other Plants to Stimulate the Brain and Memory
# Bacopa:
Bacopa or water hyssop is a perennial plant found in wetlands. Used in India, this plant is believed to improve memory, concentration, and brain health.
Bacopa can be found in different forms. It can be found in the form of oil, powder, or extract.
300 mg of extracts per day is the recommended dose. Otherwise, you can take 2 capsules with a glass of water, in the morning and the evening. These should be standardized to 5% bacosides.
In Ayurvedic medicine, bacopa is associated with Ginkgo Biloba and oils such as soy or sunflower. These oils are sources of omega 3.
# Rhodiola:
Rhodiola is a plant from the Pyrenees and Scandinavia, used by the Vikings, the Inuits, or the Lapps for its stimulating effects.
Rhodiola is not consumed as an herbal tea, but rather as extracts.
Take 100 mg of extracts standardized in rosavin at 3.5% for 3 weeks.
If you take it in capsule form, take two in the morning and one at noon with a large glass of water.
# Ginkgo Biloba:
Ginkgo biloba is a plant that has been shown to improve memory in those who take it.
Psychopharmacology conducted a study with students. This test showed that taken in a single dose, this plant had fewer effects than taken in cure.
To do this, take one capsule of ginkgo three times a day, with your main meals. The capsule is preferred to herbal tea, which is very bitter.
VI. Other Questions About the Benefits of Astragalus for the Brain and Memory
1. What Is the Best Time of Day to Take Astragalus?
The best time of day to take astragalus is in the morning with breakfast before starting the day.
You can also take it at night before going to bed. This will not affect your health.
2. Who Should Not Take Astragalus?
You should avoid using astragalus if you are taking immunosuppressive drugs. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use astragalus root.
If you have an immune system disease such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or another autoimmune disease, you should not use the astragalus root.
3. Can You Take Astragalus at Night?
Yes, you can take astragalus at night. It will not affect your health.
4. What About Astragalus and Cancer?
Clinical studies have shown that the polysaccharides in astragalus can increase the effectiveness of platinum-based chemotherapy and improve the quality of life of lung cancer patients.
5. How Long Does It Take for Astragalus to Work?
Unlike some herbal medicines, astragalus may take longer to work. It can usually take up to 4 months.
6. Can Astragalus Reverse Aging?
With its anti-body properties, astragalus can help you fight the signs of aging.
7. Can I Take Astragalus Long Term?
Yes, you can take astragalus long-term? This will increase your chances of healing quickly.
8. Can Astragalus Cause Liver Damage?
No, astragalus cannot damage the liver. Astragalus is used to protect and support the immune system and to treat liver problems.
9. Is Astragalus Good for Your Skin?
Studies have shown that astragalus root extract not only improves skin lesions of dermatitis but also helps in the treatment of psoriasis and will also reduce redness and irritation of the skin.
As explained earlier, astragalus has antioxidant properties, which makes it an excellent herb for healthy skin.
10. Does Astragalus Increase Testosterone?
Some scientific evidence suggests that taking astragalus can help naturally increase testosterone levels and it is often found as an ingredient in testosterone supplements.
11. Does Astragalus Help with Weight Loss?
Yes, astragalus can help you if you want to lose weight. As with any herbal supplement, always consult your doctor before taking astragalus root.
12. Does Astragalus Cause Blood Thinning?
Astragalus is a diuretic and may enhance the effects of other blood-thinning diuretics. Astragalus may enhance the effects of these drugs, increasing the risk of bleeding and stroke.
13. Does Astragalus Increase Progesterone?
Yes, astragalus can increase progesterone. The decrease in progesterone and the increase in FSH and LH feedback in response to the decrease in progesterone by this extract is one of the potential mechanisms involved in abortion.
14. Is Astragalus Good for Prostate?
Astragalus inhibits the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. Several scientific studies confirm this assertion.
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Astragalus has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine