Nice Articles

Astragalus

Botanical Name:  Astragalus membranaceus, Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus

Common Names:  Huang-qi, Milk-Vetch Root

The antiviral action of Astragalus is most likely due to increased immunity and intereron production.

Further researches are encouraged by the students and the medical professionals.

Overview

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to promote the discharge of urine, lower blood pressure, and increase endurance. Clinically, it is used primarily for general digestive disorders such as diarrhea, gas, and bloating, as well as chronic phlegm production. This herb is also used for its immune enhancing properties, especially for the prevention and treatment of the common cold and chronic hepatitis.

Astragalus membranaceus

The Antiviral action of Astragalus is most likely due to increased immunity and interferon production. It protects mice against Para influenza virus infection and augments interferon response to viral infection. Astragalus which is a Chinese herb known as Huang QI, has also shown to protect against Coxsackie B virus infection of myocardial cells both in vitro and vivo.

In clinical studies a prophylactic effect on the common cold was found with a decreased incidence and shortened duration of infection.
Astragalus is useful in the prevention of viral infections because of its immunostimulant properties. It is particularly indicated for the treatment of chronic viral infections, especially if debility and spontaneous sweating are also present.

In the United States, astragalus has been investigated as a possible treatment for patients whose immune systems have been compromised by chemotherapy or radiation. Astragalus supplements have been shown to speed recovery and extend life expectancy in these patients. Research regarding the use of astragalus in people with AIDS has produced intriguing but inconclusive results.

Recent research in China indicates that astragalus may offer antioxidant benefits in people with severe forms of heart disease, relieving symptoms and improving heart function. Because astragalus has many potential applications and few, if any, side effects, it holds promise as an alternative treatment option.

Plant Description

Astragalus is a perennial plant, approximately 16 inches tall, that is native to the northern and eastern parts of China as well as Mongolia. It has hairy stems with leaves made up of 12 to 18 pairs of leaflets. The root is usually harvested from 4-year-old plants.

Parts Used

The dried root is used medicinally.

Medicinal Uses and Indications 

Traditional uses include the treatment of the following:

• Colds and influenza
• Persistent infection
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Multiple allergies
• Shortness of breath
• Chronic fatigue
• Fatigue or lack of appetite associated with chemotherapy
• Anemia
• Wounds
• Stomach ulcers
• Uterine bleeding
• Prolapsed uterus

*It is also used to treat general digestive disturbances, including diarrhea, gas, and bloating.

Available Forms 

• Astragalus root may be available in a variety of forms:
• Capsules for internal use
• Injectable forms for use in clinical settings
• Ointments for application to the skin

Active constituents

1. Astragalus contains numerous components, including flavanoide, polysaccharides, triterpene glycosides (e.g., astragalosides I–VII), amino acid, and trace minerals.
2. Several preliminary clinical trials in China have suggested that astragalus can benefit immune function and improve survival in some people with cancer.
3. Given the poor quality of these trials, it is difficult to know how useful astragalus really was. One Chinese trial also found that astragalus could decrease overactive immune function in people with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease.
4. Further trials are needed, however, to know if astragalus is safe for people with SLE, or any other autoimmune disease.
5. A double-blind trial found that, in people undergoing dialysis for kidney failure, intravenous astragalus improved one facet of immune function compared to the immune function of untreated people.
6. Further study is needed to determine if astragalus can help prevent infections in people undergoing dialysis. Early clinical trials in China suggest astragalus root might also benefit people with chronic viral hepetitis, though it may take one to two months to see results.
7. In preliminary trials in China, astragalus has been used after people suffer heart attacks.8 More research is needed to determine whether astragalus is truly beneficial in this situation.

How much is usually taken?

Textbooks on Chinese herbs recommend taking 9–15 grams of the crude herb per day in decoction form.9 A decoction is made by boiling the root in water for a few minutes and then brewing the tea. Alternatively, 3–5 ml of tincture three times per day, are sometimes recommended.

Are there any side effects or interactions?

 

Astragalus has no known side effects when used as recommended.

At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with astragalus.

Modern living, the rapid pace of life, rush hour, deadlines and short lunch breaks, are wearing us, and our immune systems down. A healthy diet, adequate sleep and exercise are still not enough to keep our bodies balanced. Unfortunately, stress seems to be one of the only things that all of us have too much of and it is widely known that stress, untended, can lead to illness. The Chinese have long used Astragalus as a health tonic and modern research has now found that extracts made from Astragalus root can stimulate many aspects of the immune system, triggering dormant immune cells to go into a state of heightened activity.* Our powerful Astragalus root tincture helps to alleviate the inevitable downward spiral resulting from the stress of modern day living by boosting the immune system.*

 References1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996, 50–3.2. Foster S, Yue CX. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1992, 27–33.3. Shu HY. Oriental Materia Medica: A Concise Guide. Palos Verdes, CA: Oriental Healing Arts Press, 1986, 521–3.4. Klepser T, Nisly N. Astragalus as an adjunctive therapy in immunocompromised patients. Alt Med Alert 1999;Nov:125–8 [review].5. Klepser T, Nisly N. Astragalus as an adjunctive therapy in immunocompromised patients. Alt Med Alert 1999;Nov:125–8 [review].6. Qun L, Luo Q, Zhang ZY, et al. Effects of astragalus on IL-2/IL-2R system in patients with maintained hemodialysis. Clin Nephrol 1999;52:333–4 [letter].7. Tang W, Eisenbrand G. Chinese Drugs of Plant Origin. Berlin: Springer Verlag, 1992, 1056.8. Li SQ, Yuan RX, Gao H. Clinical observation on the treatment of ischemic heart disease with Astragalus membranaceus. Chung Kuo Chung His I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1995;15:77–80 [in Chinese].9. Foster S. Herbs for Your Health. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 1996, 6–7.  

< Prev		Next >