Astragalus Seed – 1 lb (454 g)

Astragalus Seed, known in Chinese as 沙苑子 (Shāyuànzǐ) and scientifically as Semen Astragali Complanati, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Astragalus Seed carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Astragalus Seed helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Astragalus Seed provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Astragalus Seed has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Astragalus Seed, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Shayuan Jili, White Jili, Tong Jili, and Sha Jili. It is the mature seed of the Fabaceae plant Astragalus complanatus R.Br. It is mainly produced in Shaanxi, with additional production in Hebei, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia. The most famous source is Tongguan in Shaanxi, hence it is often called “Tong Jili.” The fruit is harvested in late autumn to early winter when mature but not yet cracked. The plants are cut, dried in the sun, seeds threshed out, impurities removed, and then dried again.

[Properties] Sweet in taste, warm in nature. Enters the Liver and Kidney meridians.

[Actions] Tonifies the Kidney and secures essence; benefits the Liver and improves vision.

[Applications]
1. Used for Kidney deficiency with lumbar pain, impotence, spermatorrhea, frequent urination, enuresis, dizziness, tinnitus, and leukorrhea with turbid discharge. For treating Kidney deficiency lumbar pain, it can be combined with Cuscuta (Tusizi), Eucommia (Duzhong), and Dog Spine (Gouji). For spermatorrhea, frequent urination, enuresis, and Kidney deficiency with cold-damp leukorrhea, it is combined with Euryale seeds (Qianshi), Lotus stigma (Lianxu), and Dragon bone (Longgu), as in the formula Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan (金锁固精丸). For Kidney deficiency with dream-induced spermatorrhea, impotence, and infertility, it can be combined with Fish Maw glue, as in Ju Jing Wan (聚精丸).
2. Used for Liver and Kidney deficiency causing blurred vision and dimness of the eyes, often combined with Lycium fruit (Gouqizi), Ligustrum (Nuzhenzi), and Cuscuta (Tusizi). Currently used for senile cataract, combined with Night Bright Sand (Yemingsha) and Ligustrum (Nuzhenzi).

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decocted as a tea, 9–15 g; or used in pills, powders, or made into a paste. For benefiting the Liver and improving vision, it is mostly used raw; for tonifying the Kidney, securing essence, reducing urination, and stopping leakage, it is mostly used stir-fried.

[Cautions] This herb is warm and astringent; it is contraindicated in cases of hyperactive fire due to Yin deficiency or damp-heat in the lower burner.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents include 14 amino acids (with glutamic acid content highest), polypeptides, proteins, phenols, tannins, sterols, triterpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids, fatty acid compounds, and trace elements such as cobalt, selenium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, nickel, molybdenum, potassium, etc. It also contains vitamin A and other substances.
2. Pharmacological effects: Semen Astragali Complanati has tonic effects, significantly increasing swimming duration in mice and enhancing cold tolerance. Its decoction can improve both nonspecific and specific immune functions, enhancing nonspecific resistance and exhibiting adaptogenic effects. The aqueous alcohol precipitate improves hemorheological parameters and inhibits platelet aggregation. It protects liver glycogen accumulation, lowers blood lipids and enzymes, showing promise for liver disease treatment. In anesthetized dogs, it slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and increases cerebral blood flow. It also has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and sedative effects.
3. Clinical reports:
1) Fluorosis: Taken as Shayuan Jili honey pills (each pill containing 9 g of raw herb), once daily in the morning or before sleep, for 5 months per course. A total of 27 cases of endemic fluorosis were treated, with 2 cured and 25 improved. [Shaanxi New Medicine, 1985, 14(5):64]
2) Vitiligo: Use 100 g of stir-fried Semen Astragali Complanati, ground to powder. Cook one pig liver, cut into small pieces, dip in the powder, and consume all at once. Usually effective after 1–2 doses; severe cases may require 3–4 doses. [Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Application of Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Science and Technology Translation Publishing House, 1992:397]
3) Coronary heart disease angina pectoris: Oral administration of White Jili capsules, 2 capsules per dose, 3 times daily, for 4 weeks per course. Among 30 cases treated, 2 were markedly effective, 23 effective, and 5 ineffective, with a total effective rate of 83.33%. [Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2001,(7):17]