Astragalus Root, an adaptogenic * herb native to China, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years in combination with other herbs to strengthen the body against disease and for protection and support of the immune system.
Astragalus contains antioxidants, which protect cells against damage and also contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is still widely used in China for chronic hepatitis and as an adjunctive therapy for cancer. When the immune systems have been weakened by chemotherapy or radiation, studies have shown that astragalus supplements have helped people recover faster and live longer.¹
In a study conducted at the University of Texas Medical Center in Houston, researchers found that a water extraction of astragalus restored or enhanced the function of T-cells (white blood cells that play specific roles in the immune system) taken from people with cancer. In some cases, astragalus stimulated the damaged cells to greater activity than found in normal cells taken from healthy individuals. ²
Astragalus is also the primary active ingredient in traditional Chinese formulas for cardiovascular support. This benefit is supported by a study that found Astragalus is especially effective at protecting the aorta from damaging effects of high levels of free fatty acids.³ In a related study, scientists in Shanghai have shown that Astragalus inhibits cardiac fibrosis (stiffening of the heart muscle) while protecting heart tissues from the damaging effects of ischemia (restriction of blood flow) following a heart attack.⁴
* Adaptogen - Any of various natural substances used in herbal medicine to normalize and regulate the systems of the body
¹ http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/astragalus
² The Encyclopedia of Popular Herbs by Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
³ http://dx.doi.org/10.1691/ph.2011.0738
⁴ Protective effects of Astragalus membranaceus on free fatty acid-induced vascular endothelial cell dysfunction. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Astragalus contains antioxidants, which protect cells against damage and also contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is still widely used in China for chronic hepatitis and as an adjunctive therapy for cancer. When the immune systems have been weakened by chemotherapy or radiation, studies have shown that astragalus supplements have helped people recover faster and live longer.¹
In a study conducted at the University of Texas Medical Center in Houston, researchers found that a water extraction of astragalus restored or enhanced the function of T-cells (white blood cells that play specific roles in the immune system) taken from people with cancer. In some cases, astragalus stimulated the damaged cells to greater activity than found in normal cells taken from healthy individuals. ²
Astragalus is also the primary active ingredient in traditional Chinese formulas for cardiovascular support. This benefit is supported by a study that found Astragalus is especially effective at protecting the aorta from damaging effects of high levels of free fatty acids.³ In a related study, scientists in Shanghai have shown that Astragalus inhibits cardiac fibrosis (stiffening of the heart muscle) while protecting heart tissues from the damaging effects of ischemia (restriction of blood flow) following a heart attack.⁴
* Adaptogen - Any of various natural substances used in herbal medicine to normalize and regulate the systems of the body
¹ http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/astragalus
² The Encyclopedia of Popular Herbs by Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
³ http://dx.doi.org/10.1691/ph.2011.0738
⁴ Protective effects of Astragalus membranaceus on free fatty acid-induced vascular endothelial cell dysfunction. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.