Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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 It tends to hold infection in the body, so if you use astragalus during cases of infection, combine it with diaphoretic herbs.
Wild North American astragalus, often called locoweed, should not be used until further research has been done, since it may contain in its leaves toxic alkaloids that contribute to heart and lung suppression. Livestock that have consumed locoweed have been known to jump over imaginary objects, wander aimlessly, and drool excessively.
Range and Appearance
Astragalus is native to Mongolia and China, growing along forest margins and in open woodland and grassy areas. |
Stephen T., M.D. Sinatra
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 Astragalus
Astragalus is another ancient Chinese herb that is frequently combined with ginseng to strengthen the body's natural defenses, namely, the immune system. astragalus has also shown some vasodilatory as well as anti-inflammatory action. Its anti-inflammatory effects occur, it seems, because it inhibits the release of histamines from mast cells. Quercetin, a polyphenol, works the same way. Consequently, astragalus could help relieve hay fever and other allergic conditions. I have personally used astragalus as a remedy for my seasonal hay fever. |
Nicola Reavley
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 Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
One of the best known herbs used in Chinese medicine, astragalus strengthens the digestion and stimulates the immune system. It also aids adrenal gland function, acts as a diuretic and dilates blood vessels.
Uses
Astragalus can be used to boost the immune system in people who frequently suffer from infections such as colds. It can also be used in convalescence and to aid in cancer treatment and recovery from chemotherapy.
Cautions
Astragalus shoudl not be used in cases of acute infections or fevers. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
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 Botanicals such as thuja {Thuja occidentalis), lomatium {Lomatium disectum), and astragalus {Astragalus spp.) have been traditionally used by naturopathic physicians, herbalists, and other health-care practitioners to support the body's immune system and to defend against the effects of disease-causing viral infections. These herbs are typically administered in liquid extracts, capsules or tablets, or teas. Lomatium may cause a temporary skin rash if used in an improper dose. |
Gary Null and Amy McDonald
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 Memory-improving Effect of Aqueous Extract of astragalus Membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. Hong GX; et al. Chung Kuo Chung Yap Tsa Chih, 1994 November, 19(ll):687-688.
Results of this study found that an aqueous astragalus membranaceus extract improved anisodine-induced impairment on memory acquisition and alcohol-induced memory retrieval deficit in step-down behavior of mice.
Cognitive Decline in the Elderly: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Multi-center Study on Efficacy of Phosphatidylserine Administration. Cenacchi T; et al. Aging, 1993 April, 5(2): 123-133. |
volker schulz and Rudolf Hansel
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 Astragalus
Astragalus, the dried root of astragalus membranaceous, family Fabaceae, is obtained from a perennial plant of medium height native to the drier areas of Northern China and Mongolia. It is now cultivated throughout the world. The drug has a long history of use in China to invigorate vital energy and strengthen bodily resistance. It may therefore be classified as an adaptogen.
Although astragalus has emerged as one of the more important Chinese herbs on the American market, its purported use is based primarily on folklore and in vitro or animal experiments. |
Ruth Winter, M.S.
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 However, those allergic to aspirin may also be sensitive to other salicylates (see) such as Tartrazine, used in yellow and orange dyes. astragalus MEMBRANACEUS EXTRACT • Actiphyte of Milk Vetch. Astragal Extract. Sinominceur. Earth Powder. An extract of the roots of astragalus membranaceus. From a bright green prostrate perennial herb that has sulfur yellow flowers.
ASTRAGALUS SINICUS AND EXTRACT • Chinese Milk Vetch Extract.
Derived from astragalus Sincus. See astragalus Membranaceus Extract. ASTRINGENT • Usually promoted for oily skin. |
Andreas Moritz
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 However, according to Chinese tradition, astragalus should not be taken during the early stage of infections. It may still ward off the flu, however, if taken just as the first signs or symptoms begin to appear. Its greatest effects are preventative.
Other ailments which astragalus may be used to treat are: AIDS, arteriosclerosis, chemotherapy side effects, chronic active hepatitis, diabetes; genital herpes, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, and insomnia. |
Bottom Line Health
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| Also helpful- The herbs astragalus and ginseng are natural energy boosters. Drink a cup of astragalus or ginseng tea daily.
GLAUCOMA
This condition is caused by increased pressure within the eyeball. Regular eye exams should include a check for glaucoma. If it is detected, you may need prescription eye drops and should be under an ophthalmologist's care.
Natural approach: When glaucoma is detected early, dietary supplements can help reduce eye pressure. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| Wild North American astragalus, often called locoweed, should not be used until further research has been done, since it may contain in its leaves toxic alkaloids that contribute to heart and lung suppression. Livestock that have consumed locoweed have been known to jump over imaginary objects, wander aimlessly, and drool excessively.
Range and Appearance
Astragalus is native to Mongolia and China, growing along forest margins and in open woodland and grassy areas. |
| In addition to cancer recovery, astragalus is beneficial in cases of AIDS, blood loss (recovery from), bone marrow depression, frequent colds, diabetes, edema, exhaustion, hepatitis, hypertension, weakened immunity, lung weakness, night sweats, prolapsed organ, poor sperm motility, slow-healing wounds, and wasting diseases.
Edible Uses
Though the root is too tough to chew, you can tenderize it through soaking or cooking. It can be added to soups of all sorts, and it is wonderful in immune-building soups with garlic, onions, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and miso. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
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 The effect of astragalus membranaceus on left ventricular function and oxygen free radicals was evaluated in 43 cardiac patients. All patients in the treatment group had experienced myocardial infarction within the past 36 hours. The herb demonstrated a strengthening of left ventricular function and an effect of anti-oxygen free radicals for a cardiotonic action. The herb decreased the ratio of pre-ejection period/left ventricular ejection time, increased the superoxide dismutase activity of red blood cells, and reduced lipid peroxidation content (Chen, 1995). |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| Family
Fabaceae (Pea Family) Etymology
The genus name, astragalus, derives from the Greek astragalos, "vertebra." The Mandarin name buang qi, by which the plant is sometimes known in herb shops, refers to the color of the root {buang = "yellow") and the high esteem with which the plant is regarded (qi = "venerable"). |
| In a 1989 study at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, patients with lung or liver cancer were given astragalus combinations during their courses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy; the one-year survival rates increased from 28% to 71% for those undergoing radiation and from 8% to 47% for those undergoing chemotherapy. |
by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
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| One application of herbs for immune support is making a soup as follows:
2 ounces dried astragalus root
2-4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced
2-4 ounces reishi mushroom
2 ounces fresh burdock root, sliced thin
1-2 ounces fresh ginger root
4 ounces chicken stock (optional)
Combine all of the ingredients in 4 quarts water and let soak for 30 minutes, then simmer for 45 minutes, covered. Remove the astragalus and reishi (you can tie these together in cheesecloth, as well as other ingredients you may not want to eat). |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
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| Habitat: astragalus australis is an endemic plant of the Olympic Mountains in Washington state. Other species are grown in northern and southern parts of China, Japan, and Korea. |
| In adition, astragalus also appears to increase renal responsiveness to ANP-atrial natriuretic peptide (Ma & Peng, 1998) and reduce abnormal electrical activity of the myocardium (Shi et al, 1994).
Gastrointestinal Effects: The herb strengthens the movement and muscle tonus in the intestine, especially the jejunum, to increase movements in the digestive tract, as evidenced by positive effects on the cycle duration of interdigestive myoelectric complex (Lei, 1994).
Hepatoprotective Effects: Cytoprotective effects shown are prevention of liver fibrosis from carbon tetrachloride (Li CX et al. |
Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D.
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| Tobacco
See Nicotiana Tabacum
Tomato
See Lycopersicon Esculentum
Tonka Beans
See Dipteryx Odorata
Tormentil Root
See Potentilla Erecta
Tragacanth
See astragalus Gummifer
Trailing Arbutus
See Epigae Repens
Traveller's Joy
See Clematis Vitalba
Tree of Heaven
See Ailanthus Altissima
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges. Stuttgart 1997.
Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges. Stuttgart 1997. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
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| The immune stimulating effects of astragalus are commonly used in cancer patients to both enhance the effectiveness and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy (Weng, 1995). |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 Lovejoy: Well, also I added astragalus, which is also known to be effective for breast cancer, and it's actually anti-viral and anti-microbial. They've done some incredible studies with astragalus. Being an herbalist, I really wanted to add the right ingredients for prevention. It's all about prevention. It's all about healthy lifestyles.
Mike: You also have probiotics in this formula.
Lovejoy: Yes. It has 8.5 billion probiotics. People ask me all the time why we want to put probiotics in the formula, and why is it so important. It's really because so many people are taking antibiotics today. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
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| Injection of astragalus membranaceus significantly shortened the duration of ventricular late potentials (VLPs) in a study of 313 patients. Body surface signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) was recorded on all patients studied, including 266 patients who were also monitored by 24-hour Holter EKG. VLPs were detected in 203 of those patients who had a history of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmia of unknown origin. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 It was one of my favorite herbal tincture products: A combination of twelve proven anti-viral herbs like cat's claw, olive leaf, astragalus, garlic and lemon balm. I found that this combination clobbered viruses with a barrage of synergistic phytochemicals, and no virus could resist its effects (it worked for me 100% of the time).
Now a new company has resurrected the formula and, in fact, improved it! The company is called Fitura (www.Fitura.com) and the product is "Power Immune. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 It's called Herbal Aloe Force and it combines raw aloe vera gel with a potent combination of anti-cancer herbs including cat's claw, "Essiac" herbs and astragalus. I'm not sure yet if there's any of the aloe vera leaf sap found in this formula (I'm working on finding that out), and that's important because I like to avoid the leaf sap and just eat the gel. In any case, I immediately recognized it as a highly medicinal cancer-busting formula that I know would be extremely helpful in preventing or treating various forms of cancer. |
Ruth Winter, M.S.
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| An extract of the roots of astragalus membranaceus. From a bright green prostrate perennial herb that has sulfur yellow flowers.
ASTRAGALUS SINICUS AND EXTRACT • Chinese Milk Vetch Extract.
Derived from astragalus Sincus. See astragalus Membranaceus Extract. ASTRINGENT • Usually promoted for oily skin. A clear liquid containing mostly alcohol, but with small amounts of other ingredients such as boric acid, alum, menthol, and/or camphor. A typical astringent formula: ethanol, 50 percent; sorbitol, 2.5 percent (see both); perfume oil, 0.1 percent; menthol, 0.1 percent; boric acid, 2. |
Michael T. Murray, N.D.
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 Another useful herb for the common cold is astragalus membranaceus. The Chinese value astragalus as a specific tonic for strengthening the body's resistance to disease. In clinical studies in China, astragalus has been shown to reduce the incidence and shorten the course of the common cold.1
While astragalus does exert some antiviral activity, its main effect is to enhance interferon production and secretion. |
Hyla Cass, M.D.
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 Use immune-supporting herbs and nutrients like echinacea, astragalus, and vitamin C (try 1,000 mg every couple of hours).
One of the best books on natural ways to support immunity is Immu-notics by Robert Rountree, M.D., and Carol Colman (Perigee Trade, 2001). It addresses not only ways to boost an underactive immune system, but also ways to temper an overreacting immune system—the cause of allergy and inflammatory disease.
Action: Each antibiotic works through a slightly different mechanism to kill or disable bacteria without damaging healthy body cells. |
Andreas Moritz
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| Other ailments which astragalus may be used to treat are: AIDS, arteriosclerosis, chemotherapy side effects, chronic active hepatitis, diabetes; genital herpes, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, and insomnia.
Sage Oil—A Memory Booster
In the 17th century, noted herbalist Nicholas Culpepper wrote that the herb sage could "heal" the memory, while, "warming and quickening the senses." Sage has always had that reputation, but no one knew why. Researchers from the Medical Plant Research Centre (MPRC) at the Universities of Newcastle and North Umbria in the U.K. |
volker schulz and Rudolf Hansel
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| Experiments linking any of these constituents with specific effects of astragalus are lacking. The dose of the drug in traditional Chines medicine is 3-6 g of dried root. Safety of astragalus in normal doses is not associated with any observed adverse effects (McKenna et al., 1998). A thorough review of the quality control parameters and therapeutics of astragalus was recently published (Upton and Petrone, 1999).
9.1.3.3 CafsClaw
Cat's claw or una de gato consists of the bark of two species of the genus Uncaria (family Rubiaceae). Both 17. tomentosa and the less common U. |
David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes
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 Fu zheng formulas for enhancing immune function would include some of the following herbs: Asian ginseng, astragalus, cordyceps, dang shen, eleuthero, he shou wu, jiaogulan, licorice, lycium, prince seng, reishi, and schisandra. A formula is used for patients with cancer to increase immune activity, especially the immune reservoir. Adaptogens that strengthen the immune reservoir (a person's overall immune potential) seem to have a broad, nonspecific ability to promote immune competence.
All adaptogens contain antioxidants, and one of the major uses for antioxidants is to help prevent cancer. |
Marshall Editions
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 Anti-allergy blend: Nettle and bromelain inhibit histamine release; bupleurum and astragalus are traditional Chinese herbs used to energize Qi, the internal vital force, by stimulating the immune system and encouraging the release of anti-inflammatory components; mullein and corn silk are soothing demulcents. Combine equal parts of each herb in tincture form. Take 4-6 ml a day diluted in water to prevent allergic reactions.
W at the back of the head at the base of the skull 2 inches below the center point, with your thumb. Press and release about 20 times. |
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