Astragalus membranaceus is a plant whose root has been used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine for thousands of years. Practitioners prescribe astralagus as a general health tonic and to strengthen the body's resistance to disease. Consult your doctor to decide if taking astragalus is advisable for your situation.
Fighting Off Infection
Astragalus has several effects on the immune system that may boost resistance to disease. The American Cancer Society describes evidence from studies on animals and on cultured cells that suggests it promotes production of compounds that help fight off infection. Astralagus may also enhance the activity of immune cells that engulf and destroy microorganisms, perhaps helping the body fight off invasion by bacteria and viruses that cause colds and other respiratory infections. It might also benefit patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, by increasing production of natural killer cells that combat this type of infection.
Effect on Cancer
Astragalus root may help prevent growth of cancer cells, possibly due to the effect of components in astragalus called saponins that might activate the immune system. Saponins in astragalus may also protect the body from environmental carcinogens, particularly those likely to injure the liver. Finally, astragalus might improve the outcome for cancer patients after chemotherapy by stimulating the immune system to aid recovery from the treatment. Although promising, these possible benefits of astralagus are suggested largely by laboratory or animal studies, and thus, further confirmation is needed from studies on human subjects.
Other Benefits
Astragalus also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Because it is an antioxidant, astragalus may remove free radicals from the body. These naturally produced chemicals are by-products of digestion that injure cells by damaging DNA and cellular membranes. Astragalus may also help improve the function of the cardiovascular system and calm the digestive tract, suppressing inflammation and relieving stomach upset or diarrhea. When applied topically to the skin, it may also speed healing of surface cuts and abrasions.
Recommendations and Precautions
Astragalus is available from health food stores as a tincture, or in capsules or tablets. The usual dose for adults is 250 to 500mg, three or four times each day. Purchase astragalus as a standardized preparation to avoid differences between batches. The herb is generally considered safe, although it should not be used if you are taking immunosuppressive medication or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult your doctor to discuss whether astragalus is a good choice for you.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Astragalus
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Astragalus
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Astragalus
- HealthCareTips.org: Astragalus - Uses and Benefits
- Natural News: AIDS Breakthrough: Astragalus Root Could Replace HIV Drugs
- American Cancer Society: Astragalus
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