Astragalus

Astragalus is an herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Actually, to be precise, it’s a genus of herbs, and there are lots of different types of astragalus. Some people reach for astragalus when they have a cold or hay fever, or when they want general immune support. (Think flu season at your office, when your coworker comes into work even though she’s sick. Come on, Janet!) Others take it to prevent or manage heart disease, improve diabetes-related symptoms, fight bacterial infections, or reduce fatigue related to chemo. It’s even sometimes used to improve athletic performance. In TCM, it’s said to increase stamina.