Astragalus

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Bottom Line's Prescription Alternatives Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA See book keywords and concepts

Echinacea, astragalus, goldenseal capsules or tincture for cold and flu prevention. • Zinc lozenges combined with vitamin C and propolis for cold prevention. Zinc has a direct effect in boosting the immune system and may have some antiviral properties as well. • An herbal throat spray that includes echinacea and goldenseal to prevent a sore throat from taking hold. • White willow bark capsules or tincture to treat a headache or other types of pain. • Kava or St. John's wort capsules, tablets, or tincture for stress and anxiety.

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Dr. Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, Simon Gibbons and Elizabeth M. Williamson See book keywords and concepts

Saitoh H et al 1994 Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 42:641 Schapowal A 2002 BMJ 324(7330): 144 Schmidgall J et al 2000 Planta Medica 66(1 ):48 Thomet O et al 2000 Biochemical Pharmacology 61(8): 1041 Upton R (ed) 1999 astragalus. American herbal pharmacopoeia and therapeutic compendium.

Optimum Health - A Cardiologist's Prescription for Optimum Health Stephen T., M.D. Sinatra See book keywords and concepts

I have personally used astragalus as a remedy for my seasonal hay fever. In China, astragalus has also been used to treat cancer. It enhances the body's natural defense functions by stimulating the responsiveness of T cells. Chamomile, Myrrh Gum, and Fenugreek Three other botanicals I use are chamomile, myrrh gum, and fenugreek. Chamomile is heralded in Europe as a cure-all. Its gentle action makes it safe for use by both children and adults. It has calming, antispasmodic, and even anti-inflammatory effects.

Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1 Michael T. Murray, ND See book keywords and concepts

In immunodepressed mice, astragalus has been found to reverse the T-cell abnormalities caused by cyclophosphamide, radiation, and aging.62 Like Echinacea, the polysaccharides contained in the root of astragalus membranaceus contribute to the immune-enhancing effects. THERAPEUTIC APPROACH A major challenge to the discerning clinician is to determine which of the above factors is the key to reactivating or supporting a patient's immune system.

Indian Herbal Remedies: Rational Western Therapy, Ayurvedic and Other Traditional Usage, Botany C. P. Khare See book keywords and concepts

Active principles and pharmacology Various species of astragalus yield a gum, which is known as Gum Tragacanth. Water-soluble polysaccharides of the Tragacanth Gum contains approximately 40 % tragacanthine, divisible into traga-canthic acid, and an arabino-galactane-protein-complex. Non-water soluble polysaccharides contain starch, cellulose, and nitrogenous substances. In the West, it is considered superior to gum arabic. The mucilage of Tragacanth Gum is used as an application to burns. Solanaceae j ATROPA Atropa acuminata Royle ex Lindl.

Trigonella uncata Boiss, and astragalus hamosus Linn. Parts used Beans, whole plant. Dose 2-4 g- Classical use In Unani medicine, the decoction of beans is given internally in nervous disorders; liver, kidney and spleen affections; also as galactagogue, emmenagogue and diuretic. The paste is massaged and applied externally on inflammations. The paste of the plant with vinegar or rose water is applied externally for headache. Active principles and pharmacology The plant Melilotus officinalis pharmacologically represents Iklil-ul-Malik. Its constituents are fla-vonoids, coumarins (incl.

The Doctor's Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia Sheldon Saul Hendler See book keywords and concepts

LlGUSTRUM (Immune Tonic) The fruit of Ligustrum lucidium, an evergreen shrub that grows in many Oriental countries, is said to have medicinal properties similar to those of astragalus (discussed earlier in this section). Ligustrum has demonstrated immune-enhancing effects in test-tube experiments and is being used in this country by some AIDS patients, among others, often in combination with astragalus and some other herbs. In China, ligustrum has been used for centuries to treat fatigue, infections, heart disease, body aches, dizziness and ringing in the ears.

Power Healing: Use the New Integrated Medicine to Cure Yourself Leo Galland See book keywords and concepts

Astragalus for maintenance therapy of people with chronic or recurrent infectious diseases of any type, because of its high margin of safety. The effective dose is 250 to 500 milligrams three times a day. astragalus may cause an increase in sweating or urination but side effects are otherwise rare. 6. Mushrooms. Fungi are powerful chemical factories that produce potent toxins and most of the world's antibiotics. Fungal extracts are widely employed in traditional Chinese medicine.

Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing, & Culture (Herbs and Health Series) Christopher Hobbs See book keywords and concepts

Link), and hoelen (Wolfiporia cocos), along with ginseng and astragalus (Astragalus mem-branaceus), are deemed to belong to the highest class of medicines, i.e., tonics, which are said to impart strength, vigor, and longevity. They fall into the category of remedies called "fu zheng", or "supporting the normal" (maintaining homeostasis), and are still widely used in China and Japan, now often in conjunction with Western medicine. Some of the most commonly used fungi in the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) include ling zhi, cordyceps, zhu ling, and hoelen.

The Doctor's Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia Sheldon Saul Hendler See book keywords and concepts

Chinese studies suggest that astragalus, in addition to boosting immunity and detoxifying a number of drugs and some metals, is also an anti-viral, a diuretic and a coronary artery dilator. They believe it is particularly effective in warding off flu and some other respiratory infections. Well-controlled studies on astragalus are largely lacking, but it does contain a number of potentially therapeutic substances, including a polysaccharide called astragalan B, a bioflavonoid and choline.

Bottom Line's Prescription Alternatives Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA See book keywords and concepts

You can also take extra vitamin A for up to two weeks (10,000 IU daily), an extra 10 to 15 mg of zinc daily for up to two weeks, and the herbs astragalus and echinacea, which both stimulate and support the immune system. Naturopath and author Michael Murray recommends thymus extracts derived from young calves and standardized (follow the directions on the container). With both drug and natural treatments, it's important to begin treatment in the earliest possible stages of the outbreak.

Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG See book keywords and concepts

Perhaps if nettles (Urtica dioica) were given the same quality of attention garnered by astragalus, we might have the immunological "proof" we need to draw conclusions about its profound effects. properties. In addition, the oligomeric procyanidins possess immunological activity. High-Molecular-Weight Compounds High-molecular-weight lectins (glycoproteins) and polysaccharides are important immunomodulators. It has been suggested that their impact is predicated upon some interaction with the membranes of immunocompetent cells.

Prescription for Dietary Wellness: Using Foods to Heal Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Estro-Logic, a natural estrogen-balancing formula produced by Wakunaga of America Company, is an herbal product containing extracts of astragalus, black cohosh, chaste tree berry, motherwort, sage, and wild yam, and it also includes isoflavones. It has been shown to reduce menopausal symptoms. THE POSTMENOPAUSAL YEARS (SIXTY AND BEYOND) By the year 2020, women will account for 85 percent of persons aged sixty-five and older who live alone. The number of women aged 100 years or older will double in the next ten years.

Bottom Line's Prescription Alternatives Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA See book keywords and concepts

Many herbalists like to combine echinacea with goldenseal and astragalus. Hyssop This ancient herb has been used for at least two millennia to treat sore throats, chest colds, and laryngitis. In the 1800s, herbalist Culpeper prescribed hyssop for ear infections and "all griefs of the chest and lungs." It's an excellent aid for getting tough mucus moving up and out of the body. You can make a hyssop tea by adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb to a cup of boiling water and allowing it to steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink a cup of this infusion up to three times a day.

Don't use vitamin A, thymus extracts, or astragalus during pregnancy. Echinacea, elderberry, or lemon balm should be used during pregnancy only if you are under the care of a natural health practitioner. Selenium is okay to use during pregnancy in recommended doses. ally preceded by fatigue and an aching or sharp pain in the area of the first outbreak. Most people know when an outbreak of cold sores or genital herpes is coming. The area around the mouth where cold sores occur is usually tingly or numb for a day or two before the outbreak.

Prescription for Dietary Wellness: Using Foods to Heal Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Best: artichoke leaf, astragalus, dandelion root, gentian, gotu kola, licorice root (herbal extracts). Also, spirulina. Good: alfalfa, bilberry, cayenne, dandelion, garlic, goldenseal, juniper berry, parsley, wild yam (herbal extracts). Also, bee pollen, flaxseed, royal jelly. Hypothyroidism Best: all leafy greens, watercress. Best: apple, apricot, grape. Best: alfalfa, bayberry, rosemary (herbal extracts). Good: black cohosh, gentian, ginkgo biloba, goldenseal, licorice, parsley, rose hip (herbal extract). Also, primrose oil.

Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG See book keywords and concepts

Plants with diuretic activity due at least in part to their content of saponins include astragalus memhranaceus, Herniara glabra, H. hir-suta, Solidago virgaurea, S. gigantea, S. canadensis, Elymus repens, Betula pendula, B. pubescens, Equisetum arvense, and Viola tricolor. The diuresis caused by some saponin-containing plants, such as Ononis, Herniara, Betula, and Solidago species, is relatively mild. In these plants, the effect may originate from the combined influence of saponins, flavonoids, and essential oils.

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Dr. Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, Simon Gibbons and Elizabeth M. Williamson See book keywords and concepts

In general, astragalus is well tolerated but should probably be avoided in autoimmune diseases. REFERENCES Anesini C et al 1999 Fitoterapia 70(4):361 Asano T et al 2001 Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 24(6):678 Barak V et al 2001 European Cytokine Network 12(2):29() Berry M 1996 Pharmaceutical Journal 256:234 Bauer R 1998 In: Etkin NL et al (eds) Plants for food and medicine.

Prescription for Dietary Wellness: Using Foods to Heal Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Good: astragalus, bayberry, calendula flower, cayenne, echinacea, fennel seed, fenugreek, ginger root, ginkgo biloba, horehound, Iceland moss, licorice root, marshmallow, peppermint leaf, parsley, skullcap (herbal extracts). Also, primrose oil. Attention deficit disorder (ADD)/ attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) All fresh vegetable juices. No fruit juices. Best: ginkgo biloba, valerian root (herbal extracts). Good: catnip, chamomile, gotu kola, hops, lemon balm, licorice (herbal extracts). Also, borage oil, flaxseed oil, primrose oil.

Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG See book keywords and concepts

Recent development of chemical studies on some medicinal plants of astragalus spp. Yao Xue Xue Bao 1988 Nov; 23(11):873-80. 90. Lacaille-Dubois MA, Wagner H. A review of the biological and pharmacological activitities of saponins. Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopbarmacology 1996; 2(4):363-86. 91. Hostettmann K, Marston A. Saponins. Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press, 1995. 92. Harborne JB, Baxter H. Phytochemical Dictionary: A Handbook of Bioactive Compounds from Plants. London; Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis, 1993. 93. Ibid. 94. Ibid. 95.

Prescription for Dietary Wellness: Using Foods to Heal Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Good: astragalus, bayberry, horsetail, mullein, myrrh, pau d'arco, rose hip, St. John's wort (herbal extracts). Also, primrose oil, wheat germ. Ulcer Best: all leafy greens, cabbage, okra, rutabaga, watercress. Good: carrot, celery, kale, potato, red pepper. Best: blue grape. Good: apple, banana, cantaloupe, papaya, blueberry, raisin. Best: peppermint (herbal extract). Also, aloe vera juice. Good: bilberry, chamomile, ginger root, goldenseal, marshmallow, parsley (herbal extracts). Also, psyllium seed.

Best: alfalfa, astragalus, bilberry, buchu, parsley, uva ursi (herbal extracts). Good: birch leaves, dandelion, echinacea, ginger, goldenseal, juniper berry, marsh-mallow, rose hip (herbal extracts). Also, apple cider vinegar, colloidal silver, spirulina._ Cancer and HIV/AIDS Best: all cruciferous vegetables, all leafy greens, black radish, cabbage, carrot, dandelion green, reishi and shiitake mushroom, sea vegetables, wheatgrass. Good: asparagus, kale, kohlrabi, onion, spinach, Swiss chard, watercress. Best: blueberry, cherry, papaya, peach, red grape.

Rational Phytotherapy: A Reference Guide for Physicians and Pharmacists volker schulz and Rudolf Hansel See book keywords and concepts

Upton R, Petrone C (eds) (1999) astragalus Root: Analytical, quality control, and therapeutic monograph. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Santa Cruz, CA. Upton R, Petrone C (eds) (2000) Ashwagandha Root: Analytical, quality control, and therapeutic monograph. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Santa Cruz, CA. Upton R. (ed.) (2004). Echinacea purpurea Root (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench). Analytical, quality control, and therapeutic monograph. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Santa Cruz, CA. Vogler BK, Pittler MH, Ernst E (1999) The efficacy of ginseng.

The Constituents of Medicinal Plants: An Introduction to the Chemistry and Therapeutics of Herbal Medicine Andrew Pengelly See book keywords and concepts

OH astragaloglucan—branch-chained polysaccharide from astragalus spp. Acacia gums Although wattle bark (Acacia spp.) was used medicinally by indigenous Australians for coughs and colds, and to varying degrees for other ailments, it was popular among white settlers as a domestic medicine mainly for gastrointestinal complaints. The bark is astringent due to its tannin content, and a large number of species were used; some, however, were unsuitable due to the presence of poisonous saponins. In general the extract of bark was prepared as either an infusion or a decoction.

Rational Phytotherapy: A Reference Guide for Physicians and Pharmacists volker schulz and Rudolf Hansel See book keywords and concepts

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. The few existing clinical studies have involved parenteral administration of the extract (a mode not possible with herbs sold as dietary supplements that are not approved as drugs in the United States) or oral use in combination with other herbs. This renders evaluation difficult.

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Dr. Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, Simon Gibbons and Elizabeth M. Williamson See book keywords and concepts

The use of astragalus root as a general tonic dates back to the legendary Chinese emperor Shen-Nong. The root consists of a long cylindrical tap root, which is internally yellowish in colour, but rootlets should be absent. Constituents Triterpenoid saponins, the astragalosides I-VIII, and their acetyl derivatives, agroastragalosides I-IV, astramembranins I and II and others; isoflavones including formononetin and kumatakenin, and polysaccharides known as astrogaloglucans.

Pharmacological effects and clinical efficacy A number of clinical studies, supported by data from over 1000 patients in China, confirm the use of astragalus as an immunostimulant for use in colds and upper respiratory infections. It is also used prophylactically. In China it is also used as an adjunctive in the treatment of cancer, and appears to potentiate the effects of interferon. It also has antioxidant, hepatoprotective and antiviral activity (Upton 1999). Toxicology Many clinical and animal studies have been carried out, but specific data on toxicity are sparse.

Rational Phytotherapy: A Reference Guide for Physicians and Pharmacists volker schulz and Rudolf Hansel See book keywords and concepts

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. guianensis are thorny lianas indigenous to tropical South America. The plants are widely collected in Amazonia for shipment to the American and European markets.

Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition Paul Pitchford See book keywords and concepts

If treatment is begun in the later stages of AIDS when there is extreme deficiency characterized by diarrhea, emaciation, fever, night sweats, yeast infections, loss of appetite, and persistent cough: 1) regeneration DIET A is indicated, and the food should be at least moderately cooked or, if desired by the patient, well-cooked (regeneration diets begin on page 367); 2) the "deficient yin" food options (page 368) should be included; 3) the herbal formula with astragalus root (page 383) is used with great benefit in all such wasting diseases.

According to studies in China, the herb astragalus improves recovery time from both chemotherapy and radiation. For this purpose it can be taken alone or, for greater effectiveness, taken in the formula provided later in this chapter. See page 372 for pertinent information on vitamin C. TREATMENT F: Surgery. DIET A is substantial enough to facilitate recuperation after surgery, and contains sufficient antioxidants and other nutrients to inhibit tumor regrowth. (Malignant cells are often released into the blood stream in the process of surgery.40) Aloe gel speeds the healing of surgical scars.

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