Astragalus Powder 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Astragalus Powder  100 g ($13.99), 50 g ($8.99), 25 g ($6.99)

Benefits:

Astragalus has an unusual ability to stimulate certain immune functions while depressing others. It is an overall body tonic that is used to strengthen digestion, increase metabolic activity, and stimulate the immune system. It is highly beneficial for anyone who experiences fatigue, low vitality, and frequently recurring infections. It also may normalize the function of the heart and kidneys. It is a potent antioxidant and has been shown to protect lipids from oxidizing in rat heart mitochondria. It also has a diuretic effect. Astragalus is most effective when it is used long term, on a daily basis.

Angina, atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, and heart attack. Astragalus increases how much blood the heart can pump (which is limited in heart disease) in patients with chest pain. It strengthens the left side of the heart, the part that is usually sluggish in heart disease, and slows heart rate in those whose hearts are beating too fast. In one study, astragalus helped patients who had just had a heart attack. Within thirty-six hours of the attack, the herb improved left-sided ventricular function. There also was reduced lipid peroxidation and increased superoxide dismutase activity on red blood cells, suggesting that astragalus worked as an antioxidant. Astragalus balances the levels of salt and water in the body so that the heart and kidneys function better. In one study, participants with congestive heart failure who had trouble mobilizing fluid benefited from taking astragalus. In another study, combining astragalus with Angelica sinensis significantly lowered total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol, as well as serum triglycerides in rats. In patients with ischemic heart disease (a narrowing of blood vessels), astragalus improved chest pain. When taken with the herbs coptis and scutellaria, astragalus makes the blood more fluid, which helps prevent coronary arteries from becoming clogged by clots. In this regard, it may be used like aspirin, but if you are taking aspirin, ask your physician before stopping it and switching to astragalus. Clinical testing also has shown that astragalus increases the effectiveness of lidocaine, the drug used in emergency rooms to treat the weak, erratic heartbeat of ventricular fibrillation, a common and life-threatening complication of heart attack. The herb also protects heart tissues from damage after blood returns to them after a heart attack or bypass surgery.

Chinese researchers have had good preliminary results using astragalus compounds called astragalosides in treating congestive heart failure. Patients treated by injection regain an average of approximately 20 percent of their heart function in two weeks of treatment. Whether similar benefits can be obtained from orally administered astragalus products is not yet known.

Other Chinese doctors have found that astragalus offers more effective relief than the drug nifedipine (Procardia) for angina pain. More than 80 percent of angina patients improved on astragalus treatment without the dizziness, giddiness, heartburn, or headache that nifedipine can cause.

Cancer. Chinese studies have found that astragalus increases the activity of natural killer (NK) cells and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, an immune-system component. Synthetic IL-2, used for colorectal cancer, lymphoma, melanoma, and kidney cancer, is extremely toxic when concentrated, but the simultaneous use of IL-2 and astragalus increases the drug’s effectiveness. This allows the use of a lower, less toxic dosage of IL-2. In addition, astragalus stops the spread of cancers known to respond to gene p53, a tumor-suppressing gene that acts as a molecular “patrolman” to keep defective cells from multiplying. Astragalus is commonly used in cancer patients to enhance the effectiveness and reduce side effects of chemotherapy.

Chinese studies of the treatment of small cell lung cancer with standard chemotherapy drugs—carmustine (Gliadel, BiCNU), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar), methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), and vincristine (Oncovin, Vincasar)—combined with astragalus and ginseng produced dramatic increases in longevity. In general, patients had a reduced risk of death after twelve and twenty-four months and shrunken tumor size. For small cell lung cancer patients treated with conventional medicine and astragalus, the response rate has been reported to be as high as 98 percent. In one study, people with lung cancer survived as long as seventeen years on the combination therapy. (See GINSENG.)

A mixture of astragalus and ligustrum prevents red-cell depletion during mitomycin (Mutamycin) cancer therapy. Astragalus alone, however, is effective in preventing depletion of white blood cells during chemotherapy. A clinical study involving 115 patients receiving various forms of chemotherapy found that 83 percent had higher white blood cell counts when given astragalus.

A meta-analysis of four studies showed that astragalus and other herbs counteracted the side effects of chemotherapy in 374 patients with colon cancer. The herb appeared to stimulate the immune system.

Cochlear damage. In one study, a combination of astragalus and Pyrola rotundifolia protected against cochlear damage caused by gentamicin, a potent antibiotic.

Common cold. Chinese studies have shown that using astragalus during cold season reduces the number of colds caught and shortens the duration of those that are caught. If you tend to get colds and flu often, astragalus can help you build up a natural resistance. It increases the body’s production of interferon, which helps to protect against viruses invading the cells. Astragalus also helps the macrophages, immune cells that kill off viruses, to become faster and more efficient.

Diabetes. The traditional use of astragalus as a diabetes treatment has been confirmed by modern research. One study included people with diabetes who had various complications of the disorder, including an eye disease called diabetic retinopathy. Participants in this study were given 2 to 3 grams (approximately a tablespoon) of a mixture of equal parts of astragalus and another herb, rehmannia, three times a day for three months. Improvements in blood flow through the eye were noted in 82 percent of participants. Fasting blood sugar was kept below 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) for 77 percent of participants, without the use of other medications.

Infertility. In ancient Chinese medicine, astragalus seed was used to treat infertile men. Tests have shown that the herb does increase sperm motility, or the vigorous activity of sperm.

Liver and gastrointestinal tract ailments: The herb strengthens the movement and muscle tone of the intestine to increase movements of food through the GI tract. In one study, liver cells were protected by astragalus after being exposed to carbon tetrachloride. Animals excreted less SGPT (a marker of liver disease) with an ethanol root extract of astragalus and the liver cells appeared to be protected.

Recommended Uses
Astragalus is used in capsules, fluid extracts, teas, and tinctures. Even in large doses, it is nontoxic. Laboratory animals fed astragalus have been able to eat up to 10 percent of their body weight in astragalus without ill effects. Daily doses in humans are 2 to 6 grams of the dried root per day and as a fluid extract of 4 to 12 millilitres. A powdered root capsule (250 to 500 milligrams) can be taken as two capsules, three times a day.

Chinese tradition teaches that astragalus should not be used in people with a known autoimmune disorder and during an acute infection, or for colds and flu, especially if there is fever or a skin infection. The main reason is that deep immune tonics, such as astragalus, are believed to strengthen the chi (energy) of the virus, and a more superficial immune stimulator is needed.

Astragalus helps the body compensate for immune damage induced by many kinds of prescription medications. In addition to the conditions listed in Part Two, astragalus is useful in preventing side effects from Cibalith-S, Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate, and Lithotabs, all forms of lithium used in the treatment of bipolar mood disorder. Astragalus is useful for immune damage caused by lithium without inducing release of immune cells known as macrophages, which can damage nerve tissue.

Astragalus is incompatible with prescription medications often given after a heart attack. As much as 2 percent of astragalus root is made up of coumarins, which are chemically similar to the prescription blood-thinning drug warfarin (Coumadin). People who take warfarin should avoid astragalus because of the potential for bleeding. A class of high blood pressure medications known as beta-blockers may be less effective when taken with astragalus. Persons taking beta-blockers, which include atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), and many other medications, should also avoid this herb. Astragalus should be used with caution by anyone who is on immunosuppressive therapy, such as people with autoimmune diseases and those who have received organ transplants. It should be discontinued before surgery, as it may increase the risk of bleeding. Astragalus is rich in selenium and if taken in large amounts could be toxic and result in neurological damage and lead to paralysis.

Botanical Name: Astragalus membranaceus
Also, known as: Milk vetch, Huang qi, Radix astragali, Huáng Qi, , Milkvetch roots
Habitat: China
Origin: China
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Root

General Information:
Astragalus root is native to China. It has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. However, it has quickly integrated itself into Western Herbalists. It is one of the most important herbs commonly used by Western Herbalists. Astragalus is an herbaceous perennial, growing between 20-40 centimeters tall. It grows in grassy regions and on mountainsides, requiring lots of exposure to the sun. When grown for cultivation, the plants are traditionally harvested after four or five years, with the roots collected in spring or fall. The roots are yellow in color and have a sweet, moistening taste with a firm, fibrous texture. There are more than 2,000 different species in the Astragalus genus. No other species are known to have the same qualities as Astragalus membranaceus, although a few are used medicinally. It comes from a type of bean or legume. While there are multiple species of astragalus, most astragalus supplements contain Astragalus membranaceus. The herb is said to offer multiple health benefits for multiple conditions.

How to use:
Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water. Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.