Astragalus, a valuable disease
fighting herb
Where does Astragalus come
from?
This immune boosting herb has long been used to not only
treat but also prevent diseases. Astragalus
only gained popularity in the 1980's in the United States,
but in China it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for
centuries. Astragalus is a frail looking plant, but is
actually very hardy. It has a sweet-smelling, pale yellow
blossom and the roots are mainly used for herbal remedies.
Over 2000 species of Astragalus exist, but only 2 are used in herbal
remedies: Astragalus membranaceus and Astragalus mongholicus.
In North America there are several species that are highly
poisonous to livestock and are called "locoweed,"
however these species of Astragalus are very different from
the disease fighting species.
How can Astragalus help me?
One of the main benefits of Astragalus is that it is safe to use with
conventional medicine and will not interfere with any standard
treatment.
The root of the Astragalus plant contains numerous health-promoting
substances, one of which is polysaccharides, which is a class of
carbohydrates which are responsible for this herbal remedy's immune
enhancing effects. The other substances are saponins,
astragalosides, flavonoids and triterpenes.
Health practitioners prescribe Astragalus as a general health tonic as
it enhances your overall health by improving resistance to disease,
increasing your stamina and vitality and promotes general
wellbeing. This herbal supplement is also an adaptogen, which
means that it will greatly increase your body's resistance to stress,
trauma, anxiety and fatigue.
Astragalus has antiviral,
antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition,
it also has antioxidant properties,
which means that it can protect your body from cell damage caused by
free radicals.
This herbal treatment is especially effective in treating and
preventing the common cold, flu, sinus infections and bronchitis as it
prevents viruses from gaining a foothold in the respiratory system.
Just like Echinacea, Astragalus can stop a disease from the
onset of the first symptoms. If a disease does develop,
Astragalus can shorten the duration of the disease and lessen the
severity of symptoms.
People undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer will
benefit greatly from using Astragalus on a regular basis as this herb
rebuilds their immune systems and helps to repair damage caused by
cancer treatments. Using Astragalus will also protect bone
marrow from the immune-suppressing effects of chemotherapy and
radiation. This herb is also used to assist the body"s
production of T cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, interferon
and other immune cells as these cells are often destroyed by
chemotherapy and radiation.
Recent research indicates that Astragalus may offer
antioxidant
benefits in people who suffer from heart disease, relieving
symptoms and improving heart function. The first study
revealed that if a patient takes Astragalus within 36 hours of a heart
attack, it could enhance the functioning of the heart"s left ventricle,
which is the chamber responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood through
the body. The second study was conducted to prove that
Astragalus could prevent chest pain, or angina. Astragalus
produced better results than a well-known prescription medication
commonly used for this condition.
Astragalus root may also help reduce high cholesterol levels and
regulate blood pressure by widening blood vessels and improving blood
circulation. The Astragalus root also acts as a mild diuretic.
In addition, this herb can aid digestion by inhibiting gastric
secretions and reducing gastric acid, which makes
Astragalus helpful in curing stomach ulcers.
Ongoing research is being conducted into the use of Astragalus to treat
HIV and other autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
If I am already on medicine,
what are the interactions or side effects I need to know about when
using Astragalus?
Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal
medications should you be under their care.
After
centuries of use, few side effects have been reported by people using
Astragalus, however, because of its immune-enhancing benefits, people
who receive organ transplants should not use this herb.
How do I use Astragalus?
To boost your immune system, take 200 mg of Astragalus once or twice a
day for a period of three weeks. Then alternate, in three
week periods, with cat"s claw, echinacea and pau d"arco.
Choose a product that contains a standardized extract of this
herb with 0,5% glucosides and 70% polysaccharides.
Creams and ointments containing Astragalus are readily available at
health stores and will assist with wound healing and stop wounds and
ulcers from becoming septic.
You can add dried Astragalus root to soup, stews or rice dishes.
Let it simmer for 30 minutes, then remove the herb as it is
tough to chew. This not only adds flavour to these dishes but
also makes it easy to add immune-enhancing properties to your food.
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