Since ancient times, people have realized that medicine and food have the same origin, and there is no obvious boundary, but the dosage is different. The homology of medicine and food reflects China's traditional understanding of the relationship between medicine and food, and also reflects China's food health care thought.
Traditional Chinese medicine with homology of medicine and food is rich in bioactive substances, which can be developed into related functional foods as characteristic resources to realize the combination of traditional medicine and modern concepts. By the end of 20 18, the medicinal and edible homologous species had increased to 1 10, and Astragalus membranaceus was also included.
Astragalus membranaceus is the root of Astragalus mongolicus or Astragalus membranaceus in Leguminosae, which belongs to Chinese medicine tonic. Sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, entering spleen and lung meridians. Huangqi was first recorded in Shennong Herbal Classic, one of the four classic works in China medical history.
The famous book Experience of Western Medicine describes Astragalus as "benefiting qi and ascending qi, and treating qi depression in the chest". Studies have shown that Astragalus membranaceus is used to treat common debilitating and chronic diseases, and to improve the vitality of the human body at an early age.
Astragalus membranaceus is one of the tonics, which is good at invigorating qi, rising yang and raising blood pressure. Astragalus membranaceus has the functions of invigorating spleen and kidney, calming liver and suppressing yang, and can also treat nephrotic hypertension. Its effect on blood pressure has a two-way regulation function, which is directly related to the dosage and usage of Astragalus membranaceus.
Modern medicine has analyzed the chemical constituents of Astragalus membranaceus, and found that it mainly contains polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, amino acids and trace elements. Astragalus contains 25 kinds of amino acids, including most essential amino acids needed by human body, and trace elements such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, selenium, manganese and zinc.
According to these chemical components of Astragalus membranaceus, it is found that it has many pharmacological effects such as anti-tumor, enhancing immunity, anti-aging, protecting liver, enhancing myocardial contractility, diuresis and so on. Therefore, Astragalus membranaceus is widely used in health care and clinical treatment of diseases, and it is a commonly used medicine for strengthening the body resistance.
Traditional Chinese medicine is the treasure of China culture, and its theory is the core of traditional medicine in China. With the in-depth study of traditional Chinese medicine, more and more Chinese herbal medicines, especially nourishing Chinese medicines, have been applied to modern food industry.
As a traditional tonic medicine in traditional Chinese medicine, Astragalus membranaceus is widely used in health food because of its diversity of chemical components and significant pharmacological effects.
At present, Astragalus membranaceus is mainly used to make functional compound drinks, biscuits, yogurt and so on in the food field. Used to enhance immunity, relieve physical fatigue and lower blood sugar.
Astragalus extract is mostly made into single dose or health food, and its anti-cancer, anti-aging, cold prevention and body building effects are widely recognized.
In addition, it is found that Astragalus membranaceus, a traditional Chinese medicine with the same medicine and food, has a positive regulation effect on intestinal flora, and can inhibit obesity, steatosis and neuroinflammation of the liver by regulating intestinal flora and metabolism.
Astragalus polysaccharides can not only directly act on intestinal flora, but also indirectly regulate intestinal microenvironment through beneficial effects on intestinal mucosa.
With the aging of China's population, the demand for key technologies such as early warning and diagnosis of major diseases and early intervention of disease risk factors is deepening, and these trends will inevitably make the importance of functional foods of traditional Chinese medicine with the same origin of medicine and food increasingly prominent.
Did you take the antidote and eat the homologous astragalus?
References:
[1] biological activity of astragalus and its application in health food, food science, 20 14. [2] Interaction between Astragalus as a functional food and intestinal flora, China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2020.