DISCLAIMER: Dr. Heyne is a board-licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and TCM. Dr. Heyne graduated in 2020 with a Doctorate from National University of Natural Medicine. The use of “doctor” or “Dr.” solely refers to that degree.
This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, diagnosis, treatment or recommendation from your treating physician. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Heyne and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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Personal note: Thanks for following along. After the medical specialists I had seen for my own health issues failed, I found a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner that changed my life. My life mission is to show the world the clinical power and healing philosophy of TCM, to change the lives of as many as possible while I live.
Imagine a root that's golden, tough, and slightly sweet,
ground into powder and stirred into a pot of tea
by emperors, monks, and mothers alike
for thousands of years.
In traditional Chinese medicine,
it's known as huang qi, or yellow leader.
And in recent years,
modern science has been asking a bold question.
Can this humble root actually slow aging?
Today, we're diving deep into the ancient wisdom
and modern science behind Astragalus membranaceus,
and whether it might just be
one of the most promising longevity herbs on the planet.
Hi guys, Dr. Alex Hein,
board licensed doctor of acupuncture
and traditional Chinese medicine,
and author of the health book, Master of the Day.
Let's jump in.
In ancient China,
Astragalus was considered a premier qi tonic,
used to strengthen the body's defense systems,
support digestion, and even restore vitality
in the elderly and the chronically fatigued.
But it wasn't just used casually.
It was reserved for people whose energy was drained,
not just tired,
for those whose immune system had become weak,
whose skin had lost luster,
and whose recovery was very slow.
In Taoist medicine, Astragalus tonifies Wei qi,
the body's defensive energy,
and helps the lungs to draw in the clear qi of the heavens.
Translation, it boosts your immune system,
fortifies your boundaries,
and helps your body resist the wear and tear of time.
But here's where it gets wild.
Recent studies have zeroed in
on a compound within Astragalus called TA65.
Now, telomerase is the enzyme that protects your telomeres,
the caps at the ends of your DNA that shorten as you age.
Shorter telomeres equals faster aging.
So the theory goes,
if we can activate telomerase and protect telomeres,
we can slow cellular aging.
Sounds like science fiction?
Well, in a 2011 study published in Aging Cell,
low-dose TA65 was shown to improve immune function
and skin elasticity in humans.
Other studies suggest it benefits insulin sensitivity,
bone density, and even your cardiovascular health.
But, and this is important, these studies are early.
They're promising, but they are not proof.
Now, in traditional Chinese medicine,
Astragalus is rarely used alone.
It's almost always used as part of a formula.
Why?
Because no herb works in isolation.
It must match the pattern of the person
and the differentiation.
Astragalus, or Huangqi, is warming, slightly sweet,
and we say it raises the yang.
That makes it incredible for people who are cold,
weak overall and get sick, chronically fatigued,
and prone to catching colds
or just recovering very, very slowly
when they do catch colds.
But if you're someone with heat signs,
like acne or irritability or inflammation,
Astragalus can make those things worse.
And that's why utilizing only formulas matters.
Classic formulas like Yuping Feng San,
Jade Windscreen Powder,
they pair Astragalus with other herbs
like Fang Feng and Bai Jun
to create a sort of balanced defense tonic,
if you want to call it that.
Now, let's break it down in modern terms.
Studies show that Astragalus
boosts your white blood cell production,
enhances your mitochondrial function,
reduces oxidative stress,
supports blood sugar regulation,
may stimulate telomerase activity.
But it's not just some kind of biohack.
It's a slow and steady builder
of resilience in your immune system.
And in Taoist language,
one could say it preserves your jing, or your essence.
It fortifies your qi,
and it supports your shen, your spirit.
Now, how do you use Astragalus safely and effectively?
So if you're thinking of trying it,
here's what you need to know.
The best form of Astragalus
is as a sliced fruit simmered into decoctions
or as part of a custom formula.
So what that means is that you're actually boiling it
and then leaving it on the stove
for 20 or 30 minutes and drinking it then.
In terms of dosaging,
in traditional Chinese medicine formulas,
we're often using like nine to 30 grams per day
in a raw decoction.
I don't recommend doing that at home.
You can typically find Astragalus capsules
for 500 milligrams or up to one gram a day.
It's best to use when you're having a hard time recovering
from a cold or a flu or you're fatigued,
you're experiencing early aging signs,
or you're having immune suppression.
And it's not good to really use in acute infections.
You should avoid it if you have excessive heat symptoms,
an acute fever, or an autoimmune flare up,
unless you're seeing a guided and skilled practitioner.
And always remember,
the context matters for when you use this herb.
In East Asian medicine, these herbs are powerful tools.
They're not supposed to be these little band-aids
you take like a supplement.
Now, Astragalus doesn't promise immortality,
but it does offer something
that's a little bit more grounded,
integrity of the entire system.
It helps the body hold together
when the world tries to pull it apart.
It nourishes the root when the branches feel brittle.
And maybe that's what anti-aging should really mean,
not trying to fight time or resist it,
but flowing with it, strong, stable, and vital.
Now, Astragalus is incredible for long-term vitality,
but let me ask you something.
What good is anti-aging if your gut is inflamed,
you're bloated,
and you can't even digest the nutrients you're eating?
If that's you right now,
I made something brand new to help.
You can download my free one-week gut reset guide.
If you're bloated, can't digest anything,
I'll walk you through exactly what to eat, drink, and avoid
for better digestion starting in the next couple of days.
And it's the link right below this video here.
Now, if you've made it this far into the video,
this message has probably resonated on a deeper level.
And if you've tried all the health hacks,
the supplements, the individual herbs,
the trendy red light therapy in the saunas,
and you really need highly customized one-to-one advice
for your specific condition,
I work with a limited number of new patients
every month in my clinic in Los Angeles
or virtually via telemedicine.
If you just go to dralexheine.com forward slash clinic,
you can read more about what it's like
to work with me one-to-one
to actually come up with a customized
traditional herbal formula
specific to you and your presentation.
So you can check it out right down below this video here.
And by the way, if you love learning about healing
with traditional medicines and herbal medicine,
I have another great related video on this topic
right up there.
