Astragalus

 

Astragalus Clinical Report Summary

 

Astragalus is effective in the treatment of a variety of conditions that include diabetes, cancer and HIV as well as defending the body against infection and other immune-crippling conditions.  Research also shows that Astragulus is an all-purpose, anti-viral and anti-microbial herb that not only significantly increases interferon production and intensifies its action in fighting viral infections, but also increases the number of killer cells found in a blood sample (1, 2).  Another promising study demonstrated that chemotherapy patients who received astragalus via intravenous drip had a much lower incidence of side effects than the study's control group (3).  Liver fibrosis patients and arterial disease patients have shown conditional improvement in groups treated with astragulus as well (4, 5).  While this modern information is promising, it must be noted that the vast majority of Astragalus studies originate in China and therefore do not always meet the statistical parameters set out by western medicine.  However, Astragulus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as an all-purpose immune-stimulatory herb for centuries.  Many studies also utilize astragalus in combination with various other traditional herbs, which make the specific efficacy of astragalus sometimes difficult to interpret.

 

Astragalus Overview

 

Astragalus has been a central immune-stimulating herb in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Mixed with many other plants, astragalus has been used to treat heart and liver diseases, heart disease, viral infections and countless other maladies. Most recently, astragalus became popular when it was purported to have some anti-cancer properties, although these benefits have yet to be scientifically concluded. It has, however, shown some promise in treating the side effects of chemotherapy patients if not the cancer itself (3).  The therapeutic dose for astragalus is difficult to recommend because many traditional remedies have mixed it in with so many other ingredients that it is unclear how much astragalus is needed to be effective. Similarly, studies showing its efficacy have widely varying dosages, preparations and administrations.

 

Safe Use of Astragalus

 

Astragalus has been shown in preliminary human studies to reduce both blood pressure and blood sugar and while these claims are not being used for significant medical purposes, it is still recommended that those taking medications that lower blood pressure and/or blood sugar avoid astragalus (6). Astragalus may also increase bleeding, so it is advised for persons taking blood thinners to avoid this herb as well.

 

Astragalus References

 

1. Hou YD, Ma GL, Wu SH, et al. Effect of Radix Astragali seu Hedysari on the interferon system. Chin Med J (Engl ) 1981;94(1):35-40.
2. Yang Y, Jin P, Guo Q, et al. Effect of Astragalus membranaceus on natural killer cell activity and induction of alpha- and gamma- interferon in patients with coxsackie B viral myocarditis. Chinese Medical Journal 1990;103(4):304-307.
3. Duan P, Wang ZM. [Clinical study on effect of Astragalus in efficacy enhancing and toxicity reducing of chemotherapy in patients of malignant tumor]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2002;22(7):515-517.
4. Chen H, Weng L. [Comparison on efficacy in treating liver fibrosis of chronic hepatitis B between Astragalus Polygonum anti-fibrosis decoction and jinshuibao capsule]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2000;20(4):255-257.
5. Chen LX, Liao JZ, Guo WQ. [Effects of Astragalus membranaceus on left ventricular function and oxygen free radical in acute myocardial infarction patients and mechanism of its cardiotonic action]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1995;15(3):141-143.
6. Yin X, Zhang S, Kong Y, et al. Observation on efficiency of jiangtang capsule in treating diabetes mellitus type 2 with hyperlipidemia. Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine 2001;7(3):214-216.

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