Astragalus is a common ingredient in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Huangqi (the Chinese name for this immune enhancing herb) is an integral part of Fu-Zhong therapy, a combination of herbs thought to promote andenhance natural defense mechanisms. Astragalus is used to replenish vital energy, and accelerate wound healing.
Astragalus appears to boost immune function by altering the metabolism of immune cells. As concerns have grown over the rise of drug-resistant infectious diseases in recent years, interest in this herb has also increased—and for good reason.