Astragalus

Astragalus has a use as an herbal medicine marketed as telophase enhancing and life prolonging extracts. The root is used for immune deficiencies and allergies...Continued Below

Astragalus is a plant native to Asia. The Chinese name of the herb huang qi means "yellow leader" because the root is yellow and it is considered to be one of the most important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine.

The part of the plant used medicinally is the root.

In traditional Chinese medicine astragalus is usually made into a decoction - the roots are boiled in water then removed.

Its often combined with other herbs such as ginseng.

Astragalus is used in traditional Chinese medicine for night sweats, diarrhea and for energy tonics that are taken daily at certain times of the year.

Immune Function: One of the key uses for astragalus is to improve immune function. Although more evidence is needed one of the ways astragalus is thought to work is by increasing the production of immune cells.

It may also have mild antiviral activity and help with the prevention of colds.

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Astragalus (Astragalus Membranes) is considered an excellent immune system stimulant that may be helpful for viral infections, hepatitis, immune disorders, liver damage, tissue damage, AIDS, HIV, peripheral circulation, influenza and hypertension.

Astragulas is considered one of China's most important natural plants and has been used extensively for at least 2000 years.

Astragalus is considered to have a normalizing effect on the body's functions. Astragalus is an important herb in Chinese medicine and is commonly included in Chinese cuisine.

Astragalus Root (Huang qi) has been used as a popular herbal tonic in China for many centuries. Some of the known active components include flavonoids, free amino acids, trace minerals and polyphenols.

Astragalus root has been highly valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine since ancient times. It is known as a 'Qi' (chi) replenisher, which is a concept of Chinese medicine known as 'vital energy'.

Known for its safety and gentle properties, this ancient tonic herb is suitable for long-term use as an important aid in supporting the body's natural defense system.

Studies have shown that the active components are concentrated in the primary roots, and that the levels are highest in older roots.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes the fully developed principal tap root of astragalus provides a much greater benefit than smaller immature and secondary roots.

Astragalus has no known toxicity and is commonly known as Milk Vetch, Locoweed, Yellow Vetch, Chinese Astragalus and Huang Ch'i.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) has tradition use as a Chi (life force) tonic and energy tonic and may be used to stimulate immune function, improve circulation, prevent colds and flu, increase energy, alleviate acute conditions, cleanse liver and kidneys, strengthen digestion, balance blood pressure, and benefit degenerative disorders.

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Astragalus contains polysaccharides, flavonoid, saponins, choline, betaine, folic acid, amino acids, vitamins, and 14 minerals: selenium, zinc, iron, etc.

As an adaptogen, it helps the body regain balance and is the most popular herb in Chinese medicine for its tonifying, diuretic, cardiotonic, vasodilating and other useful qualities, to help maintain normal functions of the liver, lung, kidney, stomach and heart, to boost energy, defer aging, detoxify, etc., to bolster white blood cells growth, support the immune systems, and to promote the effect of other herbs, and help reduce side effect of chemotherapy and radiation.

Other common names: Locoweed, Milk Vetch Root, Huang Qi, Chinese Astragalus.

Promote resistance to infection, and hopefully reduce the number of colds and flu with Astragalus Root.

Oriental herbalists have used it for centuries to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, treat coronary heart problems and lower blood pressure. Many people also use it as an overall good-health tonic to support healthy digestion and to help increase energy levels and stamina.

History: Astragalus is native to northern China and the elevated regions of the Chinese provinces, Yunnan and Sichuan. It is a bushy plant with hairy stems that grow to sixteen inches and includes many species that are used interchangeably.

While over two thousand species of Astragalus exist worldwide, it is the Chinese Astragalus membranaceus that has been extensively tested, both chemically and pharmacologically.

First recorded for its importance as a tonic herb over two thousand years ago in China, in the classical treatise Shen Nong Pen Tsao Ching.

Oriental herbalists have used it for centuries, usually in combination with other herbs, for wide variety of ailments.

Many Western researchers are just beginning to discover its benefits and striking results.

Recent studies suggest that Astragalus appears to help activate the immune system, enhancing the body's natural ability to fight major diseases.

Several preliminary clinical trials in China have suggested that Astragalus Root can benefit immune function and improve survival in some people with cancer, but the quality of the trials left much doubt, and it is difficult to know how useful Astragalus really was.

The portion of the plant used medicinally is the four- to seven-year-old dried root, collected in the spring.

This ancient cure-all contains betaine, beta-sitosterol, calcium, choline, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc, flavonoids, triterpene glycosides (e.g., astragalosides I–VII), amino acids, essential fatty acids and polysaccharides (the main nutrients that feed our bodies).

Beneficial Uses: Astragalus Root is an energy tonic.

Astragalus root is a well documented immunostimulant, long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for deep immune building. According to TCM, Astragalus has specific action on the lungs and is used to build ''Qi'', the vital energy of the body.

As a preventative, it works to build defensive energy. Consumed as a food in China, Astragalus is one of the few medicinal herbs that can be taken daily as a preventative or to restore depressed immunity over time.

NOTE: According to TCM, Astragalus should be avoided during hot conditions such as fever.

'My son was born with a heart defect, no immune organ and various other difficulties. He has had 2 open heart surgeries and needs additional repairs on other organs. When he sick, he is deathly sick. No mistake about it. Homeopathy has been helpful up to a point. Western medicine had to intervene. However, he just had his 2nd open heart this past July, and in September he started Kindergarten (yes he is only 5 years old). He started getting normal illnesses. Within the first 2 weeks of school, he was out with asthma attacks for 3 days. We since started him on Astragulus extract, and he has not needed to see a doctor for asthma or any other illness since. We still continue to see the pediatrician, and he is aware of what we have done, and is amazed. But then, so are we-- Thank You!!' – Robin H., Mission Viejo, CA

Recently the immunity enhancing properties of Astragalus have led medical scientists to use it in experiments of AIDS treatment (Virology,

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Astragalus Functions: Tonifies Wei Qi, Strengthen the Lungs, Strengthens the Spleen, Stabilizes the Exterior, Generates Flesh Indications: Lung and Spleen Qi deficiency presenting with pale face, soft voice, breathlessness, aversion to wind, low energy, fatigue, tired extremities, numbness in the muscles, poor digestion, diarrhea, malabsorption, malnutrition, poor appetite, difficulty gaining weight, organ prolapse, excessive daytime sweating, edema, chronic non-healing sores, bruising easily, lowered immunity, frequent colds or infections and in long-term debility.

Studies in the West confirm that astragalus enhances immune function by increasing activity of several kinds of white blood cells and boosting production of antibodies and interferon, the body's own antiviral agent.

Numerous scientific studies have confirmed the medicinal value of astragalus. Immunopharmacology (1990;20) and Mutation Research (1992) found enhancement response by Astragalus extract, Journal of Ethnopharmacology (1990) reported a hepatoprotective effect and indicated that ethanol extract of Astragalus alleviates liver injury, Archivos del Instituto de Cardiologia de Mexico (1993) announced the vasodilator and antihypertensive properties of Astragalus extract.

Since the 1950s, scientists have discovered the potential use of Astragalus for treatment of cancer (The Journal of Urology 1991;146:486-490). Investigations conducted by institutions for cancer research indicated that in areas where selenium content in foods is high, rate of stomache cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, colon cancer, etc, is low.

Selenium content prevents cell damage caused by hydrogen peroxide and oxidative lipids.

Antioxidation effect of selenium is 500 times that of vitamin E.

Astragalus is a complex combination of polysaccharides, triterpene glycosides, flavonoids, amino acids, and trace minerals Astragalus polysaccharides have been shown to stimulate pituitary-adrenal cortical activity and restore depleted red blood cell formation in bone marrow.

Again, confirming traditional Chinese medicine, Astragalus has been shown to stimulate the body's natural production of interferon. Astragalus is now prescribed, in both the East and the West, for immuno-compromised people, or people who easily 'catch' illnesses.

The decoction is safe to use repeatedly on a daily basis. Research in China has demonstrated increased survival in patients receiving both herbal and Western therapies, as well as protection from the immunosuppressive effects of the latter.

Studies in the West confirm that astragalus enhances immune function by increasing activity of several kinds of white blood cells and boosting production of antibodies and interferon, the body's own antiviral agent. Numerous scientific studies have confirmed the medicinal value of astragalus. Immunopharmacology (1990;20) and Mutation Research (1992) found enhancement response by Astragalus extract, Journal of Ethnopharmacology (1990) reported a hepatoprotective effect and indicated that ethanol extract of Astragalus alleviates liver injury, Archivos del Instituto de Cardiologia de Mexico (1993).

This legendary medicinal plant is a perennial with long, fibrous roots, native to North China and Inner Mongolia. It is sold in both wild and cultivated forms. Chinese pharmacies sell bundles of thin root-slices that resemble tongue depressors and have a sweet taste. These are simmered in medicinal soups, the slices being removed before serving because they are too tough to chew. Obviously, the root powder can be swallowed along with the rest of the decoction.

Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine consider astragalus a true tonic that can strengthen debilitated patients and increase resistance to disease in general. Huang Qi is used especially for treatment of the kidneys and also to avoid senility.

The plant is often used in conjunction with other herbs such as Atractylodes macrocephala and Ledebouriella seseloides. It is used in the treatment of cancer, prolapse of the uterus or anus, abscesses and chronic ulcers, chronic nephritis with oedema and proteinuria.

Recent research in the West has shown that the root can restore normal immune function in cancer patients. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy recover faster and live longer if given Huang Qi concurrently.

In contemporary Chinese medicine, it is also a chief component of zheng fu therapy, a combination herbal treatment designed to restore immune function in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Astragalus is now prescribed, in both the East and the West, for immuno-compromised people, or people who easily 'catch' illnesses. The decoction is safe to use repeatedly on a daily basis. Research in China has demonstrated increased survival in patients receiving both herbal and Western therapies, as well as protection from the immunosuppressive effects of the latter.

Studies in the West confirm that astragalus enhances immune function by increasing activity of several kinds of white blood cells.

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