Traditional Chinese medicine has used astragalus for many conditions.
Medical journals suggest the herb may stimulate the immune system and the
body's ability to resist and combat various diseases.
While there are many thousands of varieties of astragalus the Chinese
version of the herb has been the most extensively tested, both chemically
and pharmacologically. Astragalus contains a variety of compounds,
including flavonoids, polysaccharides, triterpene glycosides (e.g.,
astragalosides I-VII), amino acids, and trace minerals.*
Research in China indicates that astragalus may offer antioxidant benefits in people with severe forms of heart disease. Other studies suggest that
astragalus can benefit immune function and improve survival in some people
with cancer. However, not all studies support these claims, and more are
needed.*
In the United States, astragalus has been the subject of much study in
recent years. Studies at the University of Houston have shown that
astragalus may help improve immune function by increasing T-cell counts.*
Because astragalus has many potential applications and few, if any, side
effects, it holds promise as an alternative treatment option.
Astragalus has been used in connection with the following:
-
Heart health*
-
Diabetes Support*
- Anti-Aging and Antioxidative Support*
-
Anti-Inflammatory*
- Protects Cardiovascular System*
- Provides Supplemental Therapy for Chronic Asthma*
- Boosts Immune function*
- Slows or Prevents Tumors*
- Fights Fatigue*
-
Liver Protection*
Astragalus has no known harmful side-effects.
Astragalus is an exciting and potentially promising herb. Further research
may prove astragalus to be invaluable in the medical treatment of a variety
of conditions and illnesses.
Supporting Literature
Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in
Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996,
50-53.Shu HY. Oriental Materia Medica: A Concise Guide. Palos Verdes, CA:
Oriental Healing Arts Press, 1986, 520-523.Klepser T, Nisly N. Astragalus
as adjunctive therapy in immunocompromised patients. Alt Med Alert
1999;Nov:125-128.
More Info:
- According to traditional Chinese medicine, the astragalus root is good for
problems that arise in the body because of spleen deficiencies. However,
here’s a look at some of the other ways in which it can benefit us:
- Astragalus root has been used since time immemorial to infuse the body
with energy, gain more strength, and enhance metabolism. Moreover, it has
been credited with making the immune system stronger as well.*
- People suffering from night sweats seem to have benefited from the
astragalus root. It also helps keep away colds and prevents diarrhea, thus
making it an overall excellent medicine.*
- Wounds and injuries seem to heal faster when astragalus root is mixed in
with the medicine and consumed.*
- Some of the other functions performed by the astragalus root include
improving lung function, bettering the health of the adrenal glands and the
gastrointestinal tract, and reducing fatigue greatly.*
- There has been some research conducted on the effects of astragalus root,
which shows that it can reduce some of the severity of atopic dermatitis
and even asthma. However, these studies have mostly been conducted on
rodents, and human trials haven’t yet been performed to ensure the accuracy
of these claims. Nevertheless, there is plenty of hope with the astragalus
root.*
-
Research on the benefits of the astragalus root has been conducted in China
extensively, but it hasn't been corroborated as yet by Western medical
practitioners. Despite some skepticism on this subject, it’s good to know
that the astragalus root is being used for the following health problems as
well:
- Astragalus can help control the hazardous effects of chemotherapy, which
is the standard procedure to kill cancerous cells. These studies have also
claimed that astragalus root induces the production of interferon, an
important chemical of the immune system which also helps fight cancer.*
- Some studies have indicated that astragalus can be used in the fight
against AIDS. It is also known to be helpful against lupus and can even
prevent aging.*
- Clinical studies in China have shown that astragalus root can be used to
treat chronic aplastic anemia. The results were indeed very favorable.*
- The Astragalus root is mainly composed of polysaccharides, which have
some beneficial effects on insulin resistance and hyperglycemia.*
- There are some studies that have shown that the astragalus root can
protect the heart tissue and prevent heart failure as well.*
- In some cases, the astragalus root can act as a diuretic and be of great
help to those suffering from kidney problems.*
- The Astragalus root contains cycloastragenols and astragalosides, two
powerful molecules that have been shown to activate telomerase enzyme
production.*
All these studies have claimed that there are no side effects on humans.
However, the results of these studies have mostly been published in obscure
journals in the Far East, and the promises of the efficacy of this root
haven’t yet breached Western barriers. Nevertheless, the astragalus root
appears to be a wonder herb, and much is to be said for all these studies
that have been conducted by Chinese scientists.*
Side effects
Typically, astragalus is completely safe and non-toxic and does not have
any side effects. However, when taken along with certain other medications,
there may be some complications because of the interaction of Astragalus
with the drug. Also, the astragalus root can increase the effects of immune
system suppressants, anticoagulants, and hypoglycemic agents, so it’s
better to consult a doctor before taking astragalus root.*
Astragalus Root Extract is commonly used in the treatment of chronic
fatigue syndrome, chronic nephritis, Epstein-Barr syndrome, and certain
cancers. Considered stronger than Echinacea and can be used by those who
suffer from autoimmune conditions.*
Antioxidative Activity*
Astragalus membranaceus has strong protective effects on free
radical-mediated renal tubular damage induced by high-energy shock waves in
a rabbit study. [5] Probably, because of its strong anti-oxidative
activities, astragalus may carry many health benefits. Further, swainsonine
Golgi α-mannosidase II activity in the N-glycan biosynthesis pathway. As a
result, swainsonine inhibits the production of complex β1,6-branched
N-linked glycans, which are related to the malignant phenotype of tumor
cells. [A1]
Asthma*
Ninety asthmatic children during the remission stage were assigned to the
astragalus treatment group (Group A), the hormone treatment group (Group
B), and the combined group of astragalus and hormone treatment (Group C),
30 in each. Thirty healthy children were set up as the control group. The
total effective rate was higher in Group B (73.3%) than in Group A (66.7%),
but with no statistical difference between the two groups. It was highest
in Group C (96.7%), showing a significant difference from the other two
groups. Thus, astragalus played a role in preventing the recurrence of
asthma, astragalus may benefit people at risk of asthma. [A7]
Cancers*
Roots of Astragalus species are used to treat leukemia and for wound
healing in Turkish folk medicine, and astragalus root is believed to
benefit people at risk of various cancers. IL-2 inducing activity of the
triterpene saponins might be the mechanism involved for its
immunomodulatory and anticancer effects. [6] Astragalus saponins exert
promising anti-tumorigenic effects by suppressing the growth of HT-29 human
colon cancer cells and tumor xenograft. Astragalus saponins also showed
that it could modulate the invasiveness and angiogenesis of human gastric
adenocarcinoma cells besides pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative
activities. [A9]
Cholesterol*
The effect of Astragalus polysaccharide (dosage: 0.25g/kg/d) on plasma and
liver lipids, fecal bile acids and neutral sterol, cholesterol absorption
and synthesis, HMG-CoA reductase activity, and gene and protein expressions
in the liver and small intestine was investigated in twenty-four
hypercholesterolemia hamsters. Treatment periods lasted for three months.
Astragalus polysaccharide significantly lowered plasma total cholesterol by
45.8%, triglycerides by 30%, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol by
47.4%, comparable to simvastatin. Further examinations revealed that
astragalus polysaccharide reduced total cholesterol and triglycerides in
the liver, increased fecal bile acid and neutral sterol excretion,
inhibited cholesterol absorption, and by contrast, increased hepatic
cholesterol synthesis and HMG-CoA reductase activity. Plasma total
cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were
significantly correlated with cholesterol absorption rates. Astragalus
polysaccharide up-regulated cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase and LDL-receptor
gene expressions. [A5]
Diabetes*
In a study, ten-week-old fat-fed streptozotocin-treated rats, an animal
model of type II diabetes mellitus, were treated with Astragalus
polysaccharide (dosage 400 mg/kg p.o.) for 5 weeks. The diabetic rats
responded to astragalus polysaccharide with a significant decrease in body
weight, plasma glucose, and improved insulin sensitivity. [4]
IMMUNO-MODULATION*
Astragalus has demonstrated a wide range of immunopotentiating effects and
has proven efficacious as an adjunct cancer therapy. [2] Astragalus
polysaccharides can activate IL-12-producing CD11c(high)CD45RB(low)
dendritic cell, and further induce the activation of the immune function of
T lymphocyte with shifting of Th2 to Th1 in vitro. APS can enhance the
immune response via promoting the phenotypic and functional maturation of
CD11c(high)CD45RB(low) DC. [A2] Astragalus polysaccharides markedly
increased the titer of foot-and-mouth disease virus-specific antibody in a
dose-dependent manner, and up-regulated mRNA expression of IFN-γ and IL-6.
[A3]
Infection*
Astragalus verus Olivier, Fabaceae has been used against ringworm in
Kurdish ethnomedicine throughout millennia. [A10]
Intestinal Mucosa Injury*
Previous studies have shown that Astragalus membranaceus could attenuate
intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by hemorrhagic shock in
rats. Using a hemorrhagic shock rat model to examine the effect of
Astragalus membranaceus on intestinal mucosa injury induced by
ischemia-reperfusion, researchers found that Astragalus
membranaceus could partly attenuate intestinal mucosa ischemia-reperfusion
injury. [A8]
Liver Issues*
Astragalus membranaceus is a popular traditional Chinese medicine, commonly
used to treat liver disease. Injection of astragalus solution decreased
fibrosis and in the expression of laminin in a study of rat hepatic
stellate cells. [3] In a study, rats were randomly divided into a normal
control group, a liver fibrosis model group and a root extract of Paeonia
lactiflora and Astragalus membranaceus (dosage 40, 80, 160 mg•kg-1) treated
group. After a 16-week treatment, Paeonia lactiflora and Astragalus
membranaceus-treated rats showed significantly reduced liver damage and
symptoms of liver fibrosis upon pathological examination. Administration of
Paeonia lactiflora and Astragalus membranaceus root extracts significantly
decreased serum HA, PC III levels, and content of hydroxyproline in the
liver tissue of fibrotic rats. It also restored the decrease in SOD and
GSH-Px activities. [A6] Thus, the astragulus root may benefit people at
risk of liver fibrosis.
Metabolic Syndrome*
Astragaloside IV, a major active constituent of Astragalus membranaceus
(Fisch) Bge., is able to prevent the development of hypertension and
endothelial dysfunction in fructose-fed rats, by affecting the lipid
metabolism, endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, and the nitric
oxide-cGMP-related pathway. [A4]
Neuronal Disorders*
Alzheimer's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder marked by a
progressive loss of memory and cognitive function. Stress-level
glucocorticoids are correlated with dementia progression in patients with
Alzheimer's disease. In a study, 12-month male mice were chronically
treated with stress-level dexamethasone (dosage 5 mg/kg) and extract of
Astragalus (dosage, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) or Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1, dosage
6.5 mg/kg) for 21 days. It was found that that dexamethasone can induce
learning and memory impairments and neuronal cell apoptosis. Treatment
groups with Astragalus extract (dosage 20 and 40 mg/kg) or Rg1 (dosage 6.5
mg/kg) significantly improve learning and memory. Thus, astragalus extract
may benefit people at risk of certain neuronal disorders. [A11]
Astragalus side effects*
Astragalus is probably SAFE for most healthy adults. The astragalus side effects are not known. Although astragalus side effects have not been
reported, high doses might affect the immune system and cause hypoglycemia.
Our NON-GMO Astragalus Root Extract is used in the treatment of chronic
fatigue syndrome, chronic nephritis, Epstein-Barr syndrome. Considered
stronger than Echinacea and can be used by those who suffer from autoimmune
conditions.
Proudly Made in the USA!
Every LifeSource Vitamins product exceeds all regulatory standards and
requirements set forth in the FDA's Code of Federal Regulation. (
21 CFR, part 111
)
as well as all Good Manufacturing Practices enforced by the FDA. CGMP's
provide for systems that assure proper design, monitoring, and control of
manufacturing processes and facilities. (
CGMP
).
LifeSource Vitamins: Driven by Faith ~ Powered by God
Have Questions on this or any other product or health issue for you or a
loved one? It can be overwhelming we know. Call us, we will walk you
through what supplements will help you and which ones you really don’t
need. It’s what we do! Toll-Free: 800-567-8122
LifeSource Vitamins – Founded in 1992
100% of our profits are donated to Christian Organizations like these
and many others worldwide:
Campus Crusade for Christ - CRU
The Jesus Film Project
World Vision
The Tim Tebow Foundation
Compassion International
Samaritan’s Purse
The Herman and Sharron Show on CTN (Christian Television Network)
and many more…
www.LifesourceVitamins.com
E-mail Us: info@LifesourceVitamins.com
or Call Us: 800.567.8122
We Are Built on Compassion - Driven by Faith & Powered by God!
*Disclaimer:
None of the above statements have been evaluated by the FDA. These products
are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
As always, consult your physician before taking any and all
supplements.
LifeSource Vitamins. Individual results may vary.
Disclaimer:
All the information contained throughout this website is based upon the
opinions of the founder of LifeSource Vitamins, Bruce Brightman, and the
entire team at LifeSource Vitamins whose relentless research and studies
have been ongoing since 1992. Other articles and information are based on
the opinions of the authors, who retain the copyright as marked in the
article. The information on this site is not intended to replace your
health care professional, but to enhance your relationship with them. Doing
your own studying and research and taking your health care into your own
hands is always best, especially in partnership with your health care
professional.
If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have any medical
conditions, always consult your health care professional before taking
supplements based on the information on this site.
LifeSource Vitamins: from the nutrients we choose, to the way we run
our business, we answer to God in all we do!