Astragalus Root - Benefits of Astragalus herb



Posted: Monday, May 29, 2006

by
Health Provider

What is Astragalus?

Astragalus is an herb that has many possible benefits, including fighting infection and the common cold, to benefiting cancer and AIDS patients. Traditional Chinese medicine has used astragalus membranaceus for a remedy for weakness, edema, respiratory infections, diabetes, night sweats, diarrhea, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Studies confirm it contains medicinally active compounds, including a polysaccharide that stimulates the immune system.

Astragalus herb contains several beneficial compounds that have health-protecting benefits. These include saponins, sterols, isoflavones and polysaccharides. Astragalus herb has been traditionally used for strengthening the immune system and helping prevent bacterial and viral infections.
Astragalus membranaceus stimulates production and activation of the white blood cells, which fight infection. It helps increase and protect the number of white blood cells in the body needed for a healthy immune response. Astragalus herbs has certain inhibiting effects on molecular pathological changes caused by viruses, increases growth of plasma cells, stimulates synthesis of antibodies, and builds up body defense. By boosting the immune system, Astragalus root may help reduce the risk of a person becoming ill with a bacterial or viral infection. Astragalus membranaceus also stimulates the adrenal glands, whose functions are suppressed in cancer.

Benefits of Astragalus

Recent research in China indicates that astragalus herbs may offer antioxidant benefits in people with severe forms of heart disease, relieving symptoms and improving heart function. Because astragalus root has many potential applications and few, if any, side effects, it holds promise as an alternative treatment option.

Astragalus herbs has protective and strengthening effects on the heart. The saponins found in astragalus root help prevent blood vessels from sticking together and fatty plaques from forming in the arteries of the heart which can block the flow of blood. Astragalus membranaceus may improve arrhythmias, creatinine phosphokinase levels, and cardiac function. Astragalus membranaceus helps relieve chest distress and breathlessness due to a weakened heart, discourages retention of salt and water, and tends to combat clots. Astragalus root may also help reduce high cholesterol levels and regulate blood pressure.

Astragalus root is also said to protect the adrenal cortex, the gland that produces hormones related to stress. It may also help allergy sufferers by strengthen the immune system's response to allergens in the environment. Astragalus root enhances body energy. It promotes metabolism of serum and liver proteins, stimulates growth of antibodies, increases white blood cells, and thus increases resistance to viruses. Taken as a tonic, astragalus herbs is believed to build stamina and vitality. Adaptogens help normalize the functioning of various body systems by affecting the action of hormones. Astragalus herbs inhibits gastric secretions, reduces gastric acid, and thus helps cure stomach ulcers.

Astragalus is used in many of the following ways:



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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by Carol taylor
from Perth, Australia
3 years 31 days ago.
Yes. I have had Glandular Fever and I am experiencing a relapse. I found the herb Astragalus in my research for some help. I also have high cholesterol. The information in the article was really interresting.
» left by Doug
from Spilsby
2 years 224 days ago.
Astragalus root worked very well for me when I was very run down;before I followed the 8 Laws of Health!Echinacea did not help me as it was over-stimulating.
Astragalus was more gentle,and gave me my energy back.
Lost my spleen in a 1985 RTA,and take no prescription "medicines" whatsoever,no antibiotics,no injections.
Do not get colds or flu,and if I get a headache I listen to my body& know why,and use zone therapy.Occasionally use feverfew from my garden.
Good quality organic vegan raw foods are the secret though...if you look at what fuel most people,you would think it was a secret!
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