Astragalus Root
Astragalus membranaceus

Tablet, tincture, tea, decoction

When first looking at sliced Astragalus they look somewhat like tongue depressors.  Long, thin and flat.

Astragalus is also known by the names Milk Vetch, Locoweed, Yellow Vetch, Poison Vetch, and Chinese Astragalus. The Botanical name that is widely known is Astragalus membranaceus. The Chinese have used Astragalus for many thousands of years as a remarkable tonic. The root of this plant is said to strengthen the body's surface resistance and is supposed to invigorate and promote tissue regeneration. Astragalus Root also been seen as an immune system stimulant as well as a protector of adrenal cortical function.  Astragalus contains numerous constituents, including flavonoids, polysaccharides, triterpene glycosides, amino acids, and trace minerals. Astragalus Root is considered to have a normalizing effect on the body's functions.

In studies performed at the Nation Cancer Institute and 5 other leading American Cancer Institutes over the past 10 years, it has been positively shown that Astragalus strengthens a cancer patient's immune system. Researchers believed on the basis of cell studies that Astragalus augments those white blood cells that fight disease and removes some of those that make the body more venerable to it. There is clinical evidence that cancer patients given Astragalus during chemotherapy and radiation, both of which reduce the body's natural immunity while attacking the cancer, recover significantly faster and live longer. It is evident that Astragalus does not directly attack cancers themselves, but instead strengthens the body's immune system. In these same studies, both in the laboratory and with 572 patients, it also has been found that Astragalus promotes adrenal cortical function, which also is critically diminished in cancer patients.

Astragalus is presently being looked upon as a possible treatment for people living with AIDS and for its potentials to prolong life.

Scientists have isolated a number of active ingredients contained in Astragalus, including bioflavonoids,  choline, and a polysaccharide called astragalan B. Animal studies have shown that astragalan B is effective at controlling bacterial infections, stimulating the immune system, and protecting the body against a number of toxins.

Astragalan B seems to work by binding to cholesterol on the outer membranes of viruses, destabilizing their defenses and allowing for the body's immune system to attack the weakened invader. Astragalus also increases interferon production and enhances NK and T cell function, increasing resistance to viral conditions such as hepatitis, AIDS and cancer. Astragalus shows support for peripheral vascular diseases and peripheral circulation.

Common Use: A digestive aid containing polysaccharides which enhance immune activity and T-cell function. In Traditional Chinese Medicine Astragalus is considered a deep immune tonic that increases the "bone marrow reserve", increasing the body's ability to produce more immune effector cells (such as T-cells), protecting us from "pathogens". Also used as a daily tonic when one is not feeling well; it has the ability to build the energy reserves in the body and exhibits several anti-stress properties. Astragalus root has also been indicated as an aid in the side effects of chemotherapy as well as having the ability to inhibit tumor growth.

Be sure to use Astragalus membranaceus only because other plants in the Astragalus family are poisonous.

Forms Available