During this time of the year, many people take their vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea which are great for fighting the common cold and flu. However, sometimes we stay sick longer than we want and can even get chronically ill. For those times in need, I love to use astragalus membranaceus.
The astragalus membranaceus root has been used for hundreds of years in China, Iran, and Iraq and is used in western herbal medicine largely as an immune tonic. Astragalus is part of the lucuminosae (pea) family. The word tonic in herbal medicine means to strengthen (tonify) the immune system, which in this case it does so by modulating the immune system (either revving it up or whatever the body needs). This is perfect for more chronic illnesses, in which you do not want an herb that will over stimulate the immune system and cause an adverse histamine response.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), astragalus tonifies or strengthens the Qi (a person’s energy level) and blood (how much nourishment they have) so it can be given in postpartum fever and recovery of blood loss.
Western herbalism uses astragalus as an adjunct herb in chemotherapy patients and individuals with low white blood cell count.
Here is a list of some of its current therapeutic uses:
Postpartum fever
Chemotherapy and adjunct therapy for most cancers
Palpitation with shortness of breath
Spontaneous sweating
Prostration – as state of extreme mental and physical exhaustion, weakness, or collapse
Leucopenia – Low white blood cells
Cold and flu
Herpes simplex virus
Viral myocarditis
Allergic rhinitis
Fatigue
Heart conditions
When taking astragalus, you can consume it in either decoction, liquid extract, or capsules. It is always important to understand the key constituents that make an herb effective, in this case it is the polysaccharides and triterpenoid saponins. Polysaccharides are a long chain complex molecule that provide energy to a cell, restore structural membranes, and send messages. Triterpenoid saponins are thirty carbon molecules that have a wide range of effect on the body such as anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-tumoral and immune-modulators as well.
Ways we have seen Astragalus work:
Enhanced cytotoxicity of natural killer cells and helped in tumor lysis.
Helps the Th1/Th2 balance – we like to have more Th1 to improve our T cell function. (immune cell that recognizes infections and mounts an attack)
Promotes interferon (immune system that fights infections) to disrupt viruses.
Promotes longevity by improving cellular structure making it more resilient to stressors on the body.
Improved myocardial heart cells by balancing sodium/potassium and improving handling of calcium in the heart.
Hepatoprotective effect by increasing lysozymes (which break down fibrosis tissue) to help in hepatic fibrosis due to chronic liver damage.
Astragalus flavinoids have a antioxidant effect against free radicals in the body.
While dosage is based on the research and you should consult your functional medicine provider, most studies show that taking 300 mg 2 times a day is very safe. Some studies go as high as 10,000 mg and we currently do not have any indications of an overdose level. It is also advised to not take astragalus on an immune-suppressant, like a transplant recipient. Based on tradition, it is suggested to not take astragalus during an acute infection. Some limited use seem to be fine during pregnancy, but we do not have data during breastfeeding. Therefore it is not advised.
I enjoy sharing some of my favorite herbs, because I love them! But as someone who practices herbal medicine professionally, “I want you to love the herbs, use good quality, and seek good council on your health.”
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