Astragalus Herb

Overview

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. It was often combined with other herbs to strengthen the body against disease. Astragaus is called an adaptogen, meaning it helps protect the body against various stresses, including physical, mental, or emotional stress.

Astragalus may help protect the body from diseases such as cancer and diabetes. It contains antioxidants, which protect cells against damage. Astragalus is used to protect and support the immune system, preventing colds and upper respiratory infections, lowering blood pressure, treating diabetes, and protecting the liver.

Astragalus has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. People sometimes use it on the skin for wound care. In addition, studies have shown that astragalus has antiviral properties and stimulates the immune system, suggesting that it may help prevent colds. In the United States, researchers have looked at astragalus as a possible treatment for people whose immune systems have been weakened by chemotherapy or radiation. In these studies, astragalus supplements seem to help people recover faster and live longer. Research on using astragalus for people with AIDS has produced mixed results.

Recent research in China suggests that, because astragalus is an antioxidant, it may help people with severe forms of heart disease, relieving symptoms, lowering cholesterol levels, and improving heart function. At low-to-moderate doses, astragalus has few side effects. However, it does interact with a number of other herbs and prescription medications. Astragalus may also be a mild diuretic, meaning it helps rid the body of excess fluid.

 

Plant Description 

Astragalus is a perennial plant, about 16 to 36 inches tall, that is native to the northern and eastern parts of China, as well as Mongolia and Korea. It has hairy stems with leaves made up of 12 to 18 pairs of leaflets. The root is the medicinal part of the plant, and is usually harvested from 4-year-old plants.

Parts Used

The dried root is used medicinally.

 

Medicinal Uses and Indications

Astragalus has been used for the following:

• Adaptogen. Protects the body from stress and disease.
• Anemia. One early study suggested astragalus may improve blood counts in people with aplastic anemia. The study was poorly designed, so more research is needed.
• Colds and influenza. In TCM, astragalus is used as part of an herbal combination to prevent or treat colds, although TCM theory holds that, in some cases, it may make colds worse. Evidence in animal and laboratory tests suggests it may act against viruses like the ones that cause colds.
• Diabetes. Astragalus appears to lower blood sugar. More studies are needed to determine whether it can help treat diabetes.
• Fatigue or lack of appetite from chemotherapy. Some studies suggest astragalus may help reduce side effects from chemotherapy. The studies have not been well designed, however. More research is needed.
• Heart disease. Several studies suggest that astragalus may act as an antioxidant and help treat heart disease. Other studies suggest astragalus may help lower cholesterol levels.
• Hepatitis. A few studies have used a combination of herbs containing astragalus to treat hepatitis. Results have been mixed.
• Kidney disease. Preliminary research suggests astragalus may help protect the kidneys and may help treat kidney disease. More studies are needed.
• Seasonal allergies. One study found that astragalus may help reduce symptoms in people who have allergic rhinitis or hayfever.
• Cancer. Preliminary studies suggest astragalus may have anti-tumor effects, specifically against melanoma and leukemia.

 

Available Forms

Astragalus root may be available in a variety of forms:

• Tincture (liquid alcohol extract)
• Capsules and tablets, standardized and non-standardized
• Injectable forms for use in hospital or clinical settings in Asian countries
• Topically for the skin

 

How to Take It

Pediatric
There is not a lot of scientific evidence about giving astragalus to children, so ask your doctor first. According to TCM, you should not give astragalus to a child with fever because the herb may make the fever last longer or grow stronger. Dosage should be determined by your doctor.
  
Adult
Dosage depends on condition being treated, age, and weight. Work with your physician to determine the safest and most effective dosage for you. Higher doses may suppress the immune system. For best results, use a standardized astragalus supplement. Dosages depend on a number of factors, such as whether astragalus is being used primarily as an adaptogen or for other reasons. People should work with a knowledgeable provider to determine the appropriate dosing schedule for their needs.

 

Benefits of Using Astrogalus

It is being studied for its action to protect the body against heavy metals and chemical toxins, so this may be an important herb for those who have a build up of toxins in the liver.
This herb improves digestion and this relates to its role to lower acidity in the stomach. It also helps waste elimination to be easier and quicker, so it may aid you if you have constipation.

It is also known to aid the metabolism to work more efficiently, and is beneficial to strengthen the heart, and to generally improve its function, and may help to protect you from developing high blood pressure.

Natural herb based remedies made from astragalus extract are very beneficial immune system herbs that are very easy to use. You will often find Astragalus in cold or flu remedies as it has a good action as one of the natural immune system boosters.

It is commonly used in combination with other immune boosting herbs, as well as being used as a treatment for the symptoms of adrenal fatigue. It can be used as a treatment for mononucleosis, and is specifically helpful if combined with codonopsis and myrrh.

It also aids the spleen and the liver, and this liver strengthening is of great benefit to many chemically sensitive people, as liver problems are quite common if you have chemical sensitivity.

The benefits of astragalus root extract for aiding the immune system is well known, especially as part of Chinese herbal medicine, where it is used to strengthen the immune system. The part of the astragalus herb used to make tinctures is the root.

Astragalus root extract is commonly used in Chinese herbal remedies, and these are excellent tonics to create an increase in your energy levels. 
This may be helpful to you if you have multiple chemical sensitivity or allergies that make you feel tired or lethargic.

The American variety of this herb, known as locoweed, is not the one used to make herbal remedies. The specific variety of Astragalus herb used to make herbal tinctures is grown in China.There are claims that the Chinese variety induces the production of interferon, an important natural chemical that aids the immune system.

It is known to increase the white blood cell count, and stimulate the growth of antibodies and create a resistance to both virus's and bacteria. This herb may be combined with other immune boosting herbs, in addition to its use as an adrenal gland fatigue treatment.

There are quite a few benefits of astragalus root extract, including being a useful tonic to enhance overall comfort and well-being, and is known to heighten energy levels. There are a number of astragalus benefits to aid you to recuperate after illness.

It is important to understand that it is only the Chinese variety of this herb that is beneficial to use. The Chinese herb is readily available, and the astragalus membranaceus root extract remedies are well known for their effectiveness.

 

Why Use It?

Astragalus is categorized as one of the immune system herbs, and has been in use in Chinese medicine for about 2000 years. The root of the astragalus herb is used to make an extract that is the active ingredient in remedies made from this Chinese herb.

It is one of the Chinese tonic herbs, called this due to its positive effect and because you can take it every day without this impacting you negatively.
This herb is known to strengthen your resistance to infection, as it is one of the natural antiviral herbs. It will help you to deal with fatigue better and is helpful if you have been experiencing on-going stress. 

The extract produced from the Astragalus root acts as an adaptogen that has an excellent function to aid the immune system. It's effectiveness is well known to assist the body to have a greater resistance to infection. The natural metabolism of the body can cause free radicals to form, and their action can create oxidative damage in your cells. 

This damage is related to the aging process, so it is important to help to prevent this process from happening. This anti aging herb combines well with other herbs.
It may be found combined in remedies with herbs that are both anti inflammatory and hepa protective...  including herbs such as turmeric, milk thistle and schisandra berry.

 

For Colds And Flu

You may get the extract made from the astragalus root in supplements that are combination remedies that also contain other herbs, and in particular mixed with other herbs for the immune system.

Ancient Chinese texts were said to have recommended that it be mixed with other herbs to enhance the effectiveness of the other herbs. It is also an effective remedy to use to help asthma as it aids lung function.

This herb will aid adrenal exhaustion as it helps the adrenal glands, which may be why it is effective to aid fatigue generally. Many immune system supplements contain this herb mixed with vitamins and minerals and other natural herbs that are known to aid the immune system.

Herbs such as elderberry, andrographis, echinacea and goldenseal root tinctures are found in many of these combination remedies, and it may also be found along with other herbal adaptogens.

It does depend on what health conditions the biochemist who makes the remedies wish to help. Combinations of all of these herbs are commonly found as ingredients in natural lozenges, that you may suck if you have a sore throat. 

Its anti-inflammatory action makes it an effective remedy to help spring allergies, and it may aid you if you have the symptoms of spring allergies as it is known to inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells. As the benefits of astragalus are well-known to aid the body to fight colds and flu, it is a common and very effective part of many natural remedies for cold and flu. 

 

Enhances Energy

It is an adaptogenic herb that encourages wellbeing, and it enhances your energy levels. The benefits of Astragalus extract also involve its action as a tonic. 
It produces energy to combat fatigue, increase stamina and help prolonged stress.
This action to boost your energy levels is very helpful to assist you if you have symptoms of MCS, also known as multiple chemical sensitivity. It also helps chronic fatigue which is a closely related health problem.

 

Precautions

At recommended doses, astragalus has no serious side effects and can generally be used safely. It does interact with other herbs and medications (see Possible Interactions section).
Evidence about whether astragalus is safe for women who are breastfeeding or nursing is lacking. Talk to your doctor before taking any medication, including herbs.

People with autoimmune disease should speak with their doctor first before taking Astagalus because it may stimulate the immune system. Many practitioners recommend against using any single "adaptogenic" herbs over long periods of time. Instead, they might suggest rotating among several "adaptogens" every couple of months.

 

Possible Interactions

If you take any of the following medications, you should not use astragalus without first asking your doctor:

Drugs that suppress the immune system: Astragalus may interfere with these drugs. If you have an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, or take cyclophosphamide, a medication used to reduce the chances of rejection in transplant recipients, or corticosteroids, do not take astragalus.

Lithium: Astragalus can make it harder for the body to get rid of lithium, so dangerously high levels of the drug could build up.

Sources:

https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/astragalus

http://www.natural-health-and-healing-4u.com/benefits-of-astragalus.html