ASTRAGALUS: Powerful Immune-Boosting Herb for Flu and Other Viruses

Credit goes to the University of Maryland Medical CenterThe following was transcribed verbatim from:http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/astragalus-000223.htmAstragalusOverview:Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years, often in combination with other herbs, to strengthen the body against disease. Astragaus is 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 caused by free radicals, byproducts of cellular energy. Astragalus is used to protect and support the immune system, for preventing colds and upper respiratory infections, to lower blood pressure, to treat diabetes, and to protect the liver.Astragalus has antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is sometimes used topically for wounds. In addition, studies have shown that astragalus has antiviral properties and stimulates the immune system, suggesting that it is indeed effective at preventing colds.In the United States, researchers have investigated astragalus as a possible treatment for people whose immune systems have been compromised by chemotherapy or radiation. In these studies, astragalus supplements have been shown to speed recovery and extend life expectancy. Research on using astragalus for people with AIDS has produced inconclusive results.Recent research in China indicates that astragalus may offer antioxidant benefits to people with severe forms of heart disease, relieving symptoms and improving heart function. At low-to-moderate doses, astragalus has few side effects, although it does interact with a number of other herbs and prescription medications. Astragalus may also have mild diuretic (rids the body of excess fluid) activity.Plant Description:Astragalus is a perennial plant, about 16 - 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 - 18 pairs of leaflets. The root is the medicinal part, and 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:•Adaptogen - protects the body from stress•Colds and influenza•Persistent infection•Fever•Multiple allergies•Asthma•Chronic fatigue•Fatigue or lack of appetite associated with chemotherapy•Anemia•Wounds•Heart disease•Kidney disease•Hepatitis•Stomach ulcersIt 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:•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 skinHow to Take It:PediatricAstragalus may be given to children to support the immune system. A child with fever, however, should not be given astragalus because, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the herb may make the fever last longer or grow stronger. The dose should be determined by adjusting the recommended adult dose to account for the child's weight. Most herbal dosages for adults are calculated on the basis of a 150 lb (70 kg) adult. Therefore, if the child weighs 50 lb (20 - 25 kg), the appropriate dose of astragalus would be 1/3 of the adult dosage. However, because strengths and concentrations will vary with different preparations, dosages should be determined on an individual basis. Any long-term dosage should be determined by your doctor.AdultDoses from 1 - 25 g per day are sometimes used. Higher doses may suppress the immune system. For best results, it is recommended to use a standardized astragalus supplement. Recommended doses are as follows:•Standardized extract: 250 - 500 mg, three to four times a day standardized to 0.4% 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy isoflavone 7-sug.•Decoction (strong boiled tea): 3 - 6 g of dried root per 12 oz water, three times per day•Fluid extract (1:1) in 25% ethanol: 2 - 4 mL, three times a day•Powdered root: 500 - 1,000 mg, three or four times per day•Ointment: 10% astragalus applied to surface of wound. Do not apply to open wound without your doctor's supervision.•Tincture (1:5) in 30% ethanol: 3 - 5 mL, three times a dayPrecautions:At recommended doses, astragalus has no serious side effects and can generally be used safely. It does interact with other herbs and medications (seePossible Interactions section).If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, you should talk to your doctor before taking any medication, including herbs.Possible Interactions:If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use astragalus without first talking to your health care provider:Drugs that suppress the immune system -- Astragalus may counteract the immune-suppressing effects of cyclophosphamide, a medication used to reduce the chances of rejection in transplant recipients, as well as corticosteroids.Alternative Names:Astragalus membranaceus; Astragalus mongholicus; Huang-qi; Milk-vetch root•Reviewed last on: 8/25/2008•Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by Ernest B. Hawkins, MS, BSPharm, RPh, Integrative Health Resources, Asheville, NC.Supporting ResearchChen KT, Su CH, Hsin LH, et al. Reducing fatigue of athletes following oral administration of huangqi jianzhong tang. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2002;23(8):757-761.Duan P, Wang ZM. [Clinical study on effect of Astragalus in efficacy enhancing and toxicity reducing of chemotherapy in patients of malignant tumor]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi.2002;22(7):515-517.Hao Y, Qiu QY, Wu J. [Effect of Astragalus polysaccharides in promoting neutrophil-vascular endothelial cell adhesion and expression of related adhesive molecules]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2004;24(5):427-430.Hei ZQ, Zhang JJ, Lin SQ, et al. [Effects of Astragalus membranaceus injection on nitric oxide and endothelin concentration of intestinal mucosa after hemorrhage shock-reperfusion in rats]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2004;29(5):444-447.Kim SH, Lee SE, Oh H, et al. The radioprotective effects of bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang: a prescription of traditional Chinesemedicine astragalus. J Chin Med. 2002;30(1):127-137.Mao SP, Cheng KL, Zhou YF. [Modulatory effect of Astragalus membranaceus on Th1/Th2 cytokine in patients with herpes simplex keratitis]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2004;24(2):121-123.Shao BM, Xu W, Dai H, et al. A study on the immune receptors for polysaccharides from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus, a Chinese medicinal herb. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004;320(4):1103-1111.Shi FS, Yang ZG, Di GP. [Effect of Astragalus saponin on vascular endothelial cell and its function in burn patients]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2001;21(10):750-751.

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Marique October 23, 2009 at 8:29pm

Thanks for sharing this. We need all the natural help we can get against manmade assaults to our health. I had never heard of it, and I am sure many others here have not either. I do so appreciate all the health related information you share with us, it is so appreciated.
- Jazmin > Marique October 24, 2009 at 2:34am
  
  Marique,
  Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why Astragalus is unknown to many people (specifically in the US) is that, as we know, information about the benefits of medicinal herbs is censored by Big Pharma and other mega-corporations that would lose multi-billions/trillions of $$$ of profit if the population chose to take e.g., powerful antioxidant & antiviral herbs such as Astragalus. Another reason is the persecution of individuals/organizations who dared to tell the public about its benefits. Please read in Food & Health the discussion: 'FDA, FTC threaten Dr. Weil over immune-boosting supplements for H1N1 swine flu (opinion)'. By the way, my supply of Astragalus comes all the way to Australia from the USA!

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