Astragalus Herb
The astragalus plant, or milk-vetch root, has sprawling stems and pale yellow blooms. In traditional Chinese medicine it is said to tonify the blood and spleen and aid the defensive chi. Thus, astragalus is often added to formulations used to treat weak patients. Similarly, it is used in combination with other herbs to enhance recovery following an illness or prolonged stress and to boost vitality. Astragalus is said to protect and enhance the functioning of distressed organs.

A Superior Herb
The herb astragalus, with the Latin name Astragalus membranaceus, is derived from the root of this perennial herb which is Chinese in origin and considered a traditional Chinese herb. Astragalus is considered an immune stimulation herb. The "stem cells" in the bone marrow are increased and their development is stimulated into active immune cells that are then released into the body. Essentially, every phase of the immune system activity is stimulated by Astragalus.

Active ingredients contained in astragalus include bioflavanoids, choline, and astragalan B, a polysaccharide. Astragalan B has been shown in animal studies to be effective at protecting the body against a number of toxins, controlling bacterial infections and stimulating the immune system. Astragalan B appears to work by allowing the body's immune system to attack the outer membranes of viruses destabilizing their defenses and allowing them to be overwhelmed by the immune response.

Astragalus increases interferon production and enhances NK and T cell function, increasing resistance to viral conditions. Astragalus has also been shown to support the body in peripheral vascular disease and peripheral circulation. Astragalus aids adrenal gland function that often needs support in chronic and degenerative health states.

Researchers in China have conducted recent studies which report that astragalus is an effective treatment for supporting the immune system in cancer patients. Two separate studies followed patients receiving traditional chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which typically devastate the immune system and leave the recipients weak and susceptible to new opportunistic infections. Patients receiving astragalus extracts had twice the survival rate of those only receiving standard therapies. Further studies in the U.S. confirmed that astragalus has unique immunity enhancement qualities.

Astragalus has been available in China for centuries and has a long history of use in traditional medicine in China. It is used to strengthen the Wei Ch'i or "defensive energy". It is regarded as a tonic for stimulating the immune system and increasing energy levels. It has also been used as a diuretic, and a vasodilator for respiratory infections. It has also been used for colds, flu and to increase stamina.

From The Herb Directory
Astragalus was held in high esteem by the Chinese, who incorporated it into many of their medicinal formulas. The herb has a sweet taste and has been used in traditional medicine as an immune system, lung, liver and spleen stimulator. It also stimulates the circulatory system and acts as a heart tonic. Beneficial effects of lowering high blood pressure and blood glucose levels have also been reported.

Herbal practitioners may suggest using this herb during treatment with chemotherapy as it stimulates the immune system, but this approach needs cooperation between the herbalist and doctor and should not be taken without supervision.

Overview: Astragalus
Antibacterial; used with ginsengs; helpful for young adults for energy production and respiratory endurance; warming energy; helpful for hypoglycemia; used for "outer energy" as ginseng is used for "inner energy"; American Cancer Society publication reports it restored immune functions in 90% of the cancer patients studied; use to bolster the white blood cell count; strengthens the body's resistance; use for debilitating conditions; helps to promote the effects of other herbs; helps to improve digestion. One of the most popular herbs used in the Orient; its Chinese name is Huang Ch'i. It is a tonic producing warm energy and specifically tonifying for the lungs, spleen, and triple warmer via meridians. In studies performed at the Nation Cancer Institute and five other leading American Cancer Institutes over the past ten years, it has been positively shown that astragalus strengthens a cancer patient's immune system. Researchers believed on the basis of cell studies that astragalus augments those white blood cells that fight disease and removes some of those that make the body move vulnerable to it. There is clinical evidence that cancer patients given astragalus during chemotherapy and radiation, both of which reduce the body's natural immunity while attacking the cancer, recover significantly faster and live longer. It is evident that astragalus does not directly attack cancers themselves, but instead strengthens the body's immune system. In these same studies, both in the laboratory and with 572 patients, it also has been found that Astragalus promotes adrenal cortical function, which also is critically diminished in cancer patients. Astragalus also ameliorates bone marrow pression and gastrointestinal toxicity cased by chemotherapy and radiation. It is presently being looked upon as a possible treatment for people living with AIDS and for its potentials to prolong life.

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