Astragalus & Schisandra

Astragalus is a large genus of plants in the legume family. Schisandra, also known as magnolia vine, is a common garden ornamental plant. Both astragalus and schisandra have a long history of use in Chinese traditional medicine. Recent scientific research has revealed significant health benefits of these herbs, particularly regarding the immune system. Consult your doctor before using astragalus or schisandra to treat an immune condition.

Schisandra Lignins

An extract of schisandra showed immune protective properties in a study published in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology," December 2011. The extract, a compound known as lignin -- a component of plant cell walls -- significantly reduced the metastasis of cancer to the liver in laboratory mice. Researchers used doses of 100 mg and 200 mg per kg body weight for 14 days. White blood cell proportions and activity levels normalized in the group that received schisandra. The researchers concluded that the benefits were due to the ability of schisandra to alleviate the physical effects of stress.

Schisandra Cancer Effects

Schizandra lignins showed inhibited colorectal cancer in a tissue culture study published in the October 2010 issue of the "Journal of Chromatography." The researchers were able to distinguish specific properties of lignins that were most effective at reducing cancer cell activity. The study also revealed new extraction and preparation methods that yielded extracts with superior anti-cancer effects. The resulting information may be used to improve the anticancer and immune-boosting benefits of schisandra.

Radiation Damage

Flavonoid antioxidant compounds in Astragalus were found to protect against radiation damage, according to a study published in the April 2011 issue of the journal "Fitoterapia." In the study on laboratory animals, Astragalus flavonoid compounds increased survival rate and reversed organ damage. Astragalus protected against radiation damage by reducing injury to DNA, decreasing mutations, enhancing immune function and improving blood cell production.

Astragalus and Immune Enhancement

Astragalus showed inhibition of nasopharyngeal cancer, in a study on laboratory animals published in the December 2010 issue of the journal "Phytotherapy Research." Astragalus induced apoptosis -- programmed cell death -- in cancer cells, improved immune function by increasing levels of white blood cells and improving the ratio of certain receptors found on white blood cells and restored function to suppressed components of the immune system. Researchers also observed evidence of cancer cell injury in astragalus-treated cells in this preliminary animal study.

Astragalus and Cancer

Astragalus may be helpful additional treatment for cancer along with conventional radiation therapy and chemotherapy drugs, according to a study published in the December 2010 issue of the journal "Bioscience Trends." The meta-study -- a review of previously published research. Some studies have shown the ability of certain Chinese herbal medicines to suppress tumor growth, increase the effectiveness of radiation and chemotherapy, improve the ability of the immune system to fight the disease and lessen the damage caused by conventional therapies. Additionally, fatigue associated with cancer treatments may be decreased, side effects on the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems may be lessened and liver function may be protected with the use of astragalus.