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somewhat less taxing on the patient. It is also used as an adjunctive support for persons undergoing chemotherapy. Astragalus contains numerous components, including flavonoids, polysaccharides,
triterpene glycosides (e.g. astragalosides I¬VII), amino acids, and trace minerals. Research conducted by the M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas, confirms this herbs immune-potentiating actions. Astragalus appears to restore T-cell counts to relatively normal ranges in some cancer patients. The great Chinese Emperor Shen Nung around 5000 years ago first discovered astragalus. Westerners began to realize the medicinal importance of A. membranaceus during the 1800s. Dr. Alexander van Bunge, a Russian physician who studied East Asian plants, first described the species for the West in 1868. Astragalus is slowly becoming one of the better-known Chinese herbs. Some of its popularity may be attributed to extensive
scientific study that began in the 1970s confirming the herb’s ability to stimulate the immune system, fight bacteria, viruses, and inflammation, protect the liver, and act as a diuretic and adaptogen. Adaptogens are substances that have nonspecific actions and cause minimal disruption to the body while normalizing body functions, no matter the condition or disease.
Astragalus strengthens the body's resistance and invigorates and promotes tissue regeneration via photochemicals in the plant such as polysaccharides, especially astragalan I, II, and III, and saponins and triterpenes. In studies performed at the National Cancer Institute and 5 other leading American Cancer
Institutes over recent years, it has been positively shown that while astragalus does not directly attack cancers, it does however strengthen a cancer patient's immune system allowing them to recover significantly faster and live longer. Researchers believe on the basis of cell studies that astragalus augments those white blood cells that fight disease and removes some of those that make the body more vulnerable to it. In these same studies, both in the laboratory and with 572 patients, it also has been found that Astragalus promotes adrenal cortical function, which also is critically diminished in cancer patients.
Astragalus also ameliorates bone marrow pression and gastointestinal toxicity caused by chemotherapy and radiation. Astragalus is presently being looked upon as a possible treatment for people living with AIDS and other viral conditions as it also increases interferon production and enhances NK and T cell function. Astragalus shows support for peripheral vascular diseases and peripheral circulation. Astragalus is available in capsule, tablet, and fluid extract form, and as dried root and prepared tea. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, astragalus is often used in daily doses of 9 g to 15 g of the dried sliced root, simmered for several hours in a quart of water (the decoction is ready when the water is reduced down to a pint). Alternatively, astragalus is prepared by combining 1 part honey, 4 parts dried root, and a small amount of water in a wok or skillet, then simmering the mixture until the water evaporates and the herbs are slightly brown. To make your own tea, boil 1 ounce of Astragalus root in 1 cup of water for 15 to 20 minutes. In tablets or capsule form, it is typically combined with ginseng in doses of up to 500mg taken 3 times a day. Astragalus appears to have no known adverse side effects.
