ASTRAGALUS HEALTH BENEFITS AND NUTRITION VALUES

ASTRAGALUS BENEFITS

ASTRAGALUS BENEFITS

Milk-vetch root, huang qi [Astragalus membranaceus, Leguminosae]

Astragalus root is believed to be a potent immunomodulator.

INTRODUCTION

Astragalus root has been used for thousand years in the Chinese society. It
has become an important remedy in the west since its effects upon the
immune system came to light. Astragalus root contains glycosides,
polysaccharides, choline, betaine, rumatakenin and b-sitosterol. Studies have
shown that the polysaccharides in Astragalus could intensify phagocytosis of
reticulo-endothelial systems, stimulate pituitary-adrenal cortical activity and
restore depleted red blood cell formation in bone marrow. Many herbalists
believe that Astragalus is an ideal remedy for any one who might be
immuno-compromized in any way. This can range from someone who easily
catches colds to someone with cancer. [1]

PREPARATION

Decoction: put l teaspoonful of the root into a cup of water, bring to boil and
simmer for l0-l5 minutes.

RESEARCH FINDINGS

ANTI-OXIDANT ACTIVITIES

Astragalus membranaceus has strong protective effects on free
radical-mediated renal tubular damage induced by high-energy shock waves
in a rabbit study. [5]

ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITIES

Roots of Astragalus species are used to treat leukemia and for wound
healing in Turkish folk medicine. Scientists found that the IL-2 inducing
activity of the triterpene saponins might be the mechanism involved in order
to explain the immunomodulatory and anticancer effects of Astragalus
species. [6]

HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECT

Ten-week-old fat-fed streptozotocin-treated rats, an animal model of type II
diabetes mellitus, were treated with Astragalus polysaccharide (400 mg/kg
p.o.) for 5 weeks. The diabetic rats responded to APS with a significant
decrease in body weight, plasma glucose, and improved insulin sensitivity. [4]

IMMUNO-MODULATION

Astragalus has demonstrated a wide range of immunopotentiating effects
and has proven efficacious as an adjunct cancer therapy. [2]

INHIBITION OF HEPATIC FIBROSIS
Injection of astragalus solution decreased fibrosis and in expression of
laminin in a study of rat hepatic stellate cells. [3]

DO NOT COPY THIS ARTICLE TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR BLOGS NOR ANY OTHER TYPES
OF PUBLICATIONS

HOME
REFERENCES

[1] The herbalist by David Hoffman, (c)1993 David Hoffman, Hopkins Technology.
[2] Sinclair S. Chinese herbs: a clinical review of Astragalus, Ligusticum, and
Schizandrae. Altern Med Rev. 1998 Oct;3(5):338-44.
[3] Zhou X. Study on the inhibitive effect of Astragalus Injection solution on hepatic
fibrosis in rats Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi. 2005 Aug;13(8):575-8.
[4] Wu Y. Hypoglycemic effect of Astragalus polysaccharide and its effect on PTP1B.
Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2005 Mar;26(3):345-52.
[5] Sheng BW et al, Astragalus membranaceus reduces free radical-mediated injury to
renal tubules in rabbits receiving high-energy shock waves. Chin Med J (Engl). 2005
Jan 5;118(1):43-9.
[6] Yesilada E. et al Effects of triterpene saponins from Astragalus species on in vitro
cytokine release. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jan 4;96(1-2):71-7.

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, PLEASE, CONSULT
WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2008 zhion