Dear elderly friends, do you often feel that your physical fitness is not as good as before, and you will catch a cold and cough when you are exposed to a little wind and rain? Don't worry, today I would like to introduce to you a "dark horse" in the health industry - Astragalus. It's small, but it can do big good.
First, let's demystify astragalus. Astragalus, also known as Astragalus, is a common Chinese herbal medicine with a long history. In ancient times, astragalus was known as the "holy medicine of qi", which shows its importance. Modern studies have found that Astragalus is rich in active ingredients such as Astragalus polysaccharides and Astragalus saponins, which have a variety of physiological effects such as enhancing immunity, anti-fatigue, anti-aging, regulating blood sugar, and anti-tumor.
So, what are the specific benefits of astragalus for the elderly?
1. Enhance immunity: As they age, the immunity of the elderly gradually decreases, and they are prone to colds and coughs. The astragalus polysaccharides in astragalus can boost immunity and help the elderly fight off diseases. Studies have found that Astragalus polysaccharides can significantly increase immunoglobulin levels and cellular immune function, thereby enhancing the body's resistance (Zhang et al., 2010).
2. Anti-aging: The active ingredients in Astragalus have antioxidant effects, which can remove free radicals in the body and delay cell aging. Grandpa Li's face used to be wrinkled, and after drinking astragalus tea for a while, his friends said that he looked much younger. Studies have shown that astragalosides can reduce the production of lipid peroxides and protect the integrity of cell membranes, thereby delaying the aging process (Wang et al., 2015).
3. Regulate blood sugar: Astragalus has the effect of regulating blood sugar in diabetic patients and can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Since Grandma Zhao consumed astragalus, her blood sugar level has stabilized a lot, and she no longer worries about diabetes. A clinical study involving 120 diabetic patients found that astragalus was able to significantly reduce blood glucose levels and insulin resistance, and improve metabolic status in diabetic patients (Li et al., 2012).
4. Improve cardiovascular function: The astragalus saponins in astragalus have the effect of dilating blood vessels and lowering blood pressure, which is of great benefit to the cardiovascular health of the elderly. Grandpa Zhang used to suffer from high blood pressure and often had dizziness and headaches, but after consuming astragalus, his blood pressure decreased and his body felt much more relaxed. Studies have found that astragalus can lower blood pressure and heart rate, and improve the function of the cardiovascular system (Chen et al., 2014).
5. Anti-fatigue: Astragalus can enhance the body's endurance, reduce fatigue, and make the elderly energetic. Grandma Chen used to feel tired after doing housework for a while, but now she consumes astragalus every day and no longer feels tired when doing housework. One experiment showed that Astragalus was able to significantly prolong the swimming time and pole climbing time in mice, suggesting that it has an anti-fatigue effect (Zhou et al., 2011).
Although the benefits of astragalus are numerous, the elderly should also pay attention to the following points when consuming astragalus:
1. Appropriate amount: Although astragalus is good, it should not be excessive. Excessive consumption may lead to side effects such as chest tightness and increased blood pressure. Generally speaking, it is advisable to use 15-30 grams of astragalus per day.
2. Syndrome differentiation application: Astragalus is suitable for the elderly with qi deficiency constitution, if you have a solid constitution, or have cold, fever and other symptoms, you should avoid eating.
3. Not suitable for fasting: Astragalus should not be consumed on an empty stomach, so as not to affect digestion and absorption.
4. Mix with other herbs: Astragalus can be used with other herbs, such as red dates, wolfberry, codonopsis, etc., to enhance the health effect.
5. Consult a doctor: Before using astragalus, it is best to consult a doctor or a Chinese medicine practitioner and use it reasonably according to your own situation
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So, how can the elderly consume astragalus reasonably? Here are some suggestions:
1. Astragalus soaked in water: Cut the astragalus into slices or small pieces for soaking in water to drink, which is simple and convenient.
2. Astragalus stew: Stew astragalus with pork ribs, chicken and other ingredients to nourish the body and taste the food.
3. Astragalus porridge: Cooking porridge with astragalus and rice, millet, etc., has a delicious taste and is suitable for nourishing the stomach.
4. Astragalus tea: Mix astragalus with other herbal teas such as chrysanthemums and roses to make astragalus tea, which can not only maintain health but also beautify.
In conclusion, Astragalus is an obscure master of wellness, it is small and exquisite, but it can bring great benefits. Elderly friends, you may wish to add some astragalus to your daily life to make your body healthier and your life better! But remember, the right amount is appropriate, and the right combination can give full play to the maximum effect of astragalus. I wish you all good health and happiness in your old age!
Bibliography:
Zhang, Y., Liu, J., Zhang, F., Wang, Y., & Li, Z. (2010). Immunomodulatory effects of aqueous extracts from Astragalus membranaceus on mouse spleen lymphocytes. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 129(2), 258-263.
Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., Li, Z., & Liu, J. (2015). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects