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Herb: Astragalus (huang qi, pronounced hwang chee)
Use: A popular immune herb that also supports digestion. Often used for chronic conditions like fatigue syndromes or just run-down immunity and frequent infections; cancer treatment in China.
Dose: Usually 6 to12 g of the dried herb is simmered in 10 times the amount of water for 1 hour; small bottles of elixir for one dose; many formulas in pill form.
Duration: Up to a year or more. Considered a safe, tonic herb.

Herb: Codonopsis (dan shen)
Use: A revered tonic that is considered safe for long-term use, especially to strengthen the lungs and increase energy. Used for asthma and chronic bronchitis sufferers or for smokers.
Dose: From 6 to 15 g in tea form. Many formulas containing this herb are prescribed by Chinese herbalists.
Duration: Long-term use is common, for at least several weeks to several months.

Herb: Coptis
Use: A bright yellow herb that is widely popular for treating traveler’s diarrhea and other infections. Dose: Small tablets in a concentrated form can be taken orally or dissolved in water to treat sinus infections, diarrhea, and many other infections. In tea form, from 2 to 6 g per day, or 1 to 2 small yellow tablets of Huang Lian Su, up to twice daily with meals on the advice of a practitioner.
Duration: For several days up to two weeks when recommended by an experienced practitioner.

Herb: Dong Quai
Use: Arguably the world’s most commonly used herb. Often used daily as an energy and blood tonic by women in Asia and recommended for use before, during, and after menopause to “tonify” the female organs, increase energy, and strengthen vitality.
Dose: Used in tea form, in soups, in alcoholic elixirs, in formulas, and in capsule and tablet form.
Duration: Taken for several weeks and as needed long term, sometimes used as a food item in soups and stews with its celery-like flavor.

Herb: Ginseng
Use: Widely considered the premier energy herb. Red ginseng is recommended for people 40 and older because it is considered “warm.” White ginseng is used in energy, sports, and digestive formulas and to improve alertness. American ginseng is used for chronic fatigue, long-term weakness, and recovery from illness.
Dose: Typically, 6 to 9 g is used in tea form each day. Found in many kinds of products—elixirs, tablets, capsules, skin care products, and many others–– ginseng is among the most popular of herbs.
Duration: Red ginseng is used commonly for up to a month or two. White ginseng may be used longer, and American ginseng is often considered safe for use on and off for months or years, especially in the elderly.

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Labels: astragalus, Chinese Herbal Healing, dong quai, ginseng, herbs, Traditional Chinese Medicine

This herb has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine as an immunity-booster.

It contains complex sugar molecules called polysaccharides, which some studies show stimulate virus-fighting cells in the immune system. Re-searchers at the University of Texas and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have turned up convincing evidence that astragalus boosts immune responses in lab animals, and in human cells in lab dishes.

“The findings on immune enhancement are very strong,” Blumenthal says. “And though we don’t have good evidence for its effects on colds and flu, there’s good reason to think it could help.”

Worth a try for: Boosting immunity.
How to do it: Astragalus is available in a variety of herbal cold formulations and in stand-alone supplement capsules. Concentrations vary, so follow package directions for use.

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Labels: astragalus, herbs, Holistic Health, immunity, Traditional Chinese Medicine