Astragalus is only now being studied by pharmaceutical companies to sort out its effectiveness and qualify the many claims of the benefits of astragalus on a person’s health. There are some exciting claims and proven theories about certain properties of two astragalus plants specifically. There is no doubt that astragalus is showing promise in combating immunity deficiency illnesses and scientists are studying the active ingredients in astragalus to ascertain its effective usage for the masses.

The evidence is limited at this time that astragalus can actually assist as a curative for the many diseases its being touted as a treatment for. There is evidence that it acts in a relief role against the side effects of conventional treatments such as chemo and radiation therapy. Both treatments take an extreme toll on the recipients and the cure is sometimes worse than the illness at the time of treatment.

When in combination with other herbs or even certain conventional medications, astragalus has been found to improve the effectiveness of these treatments and its own curative properties are seemingly enhanced. Since it is most often found in a combined mixture with other herbs it is really difficult to source out any specific health advantages due simply to astragalus. Ancient Chinese medicinal preparations will almost always have astragalus as part of the ingredients in soups and teas as well as in encapsulated powder formulas.

Some suggest that astragalus in its health supplement form is no more effective than if you were to judiciously continue your own basic vitamin regimen. This kind of talk certainly puts the damper on the excitement and much anticipated research results.

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Many people swear by their use of astragalus as an immunity booster and a source of rejuvenated energy as it has been recommended for centuries by Chinese medical practitioners. Only two types of the several thousand-astragalus species are influential as healing herbs according to ancient medicinal practices – astragalus membranaceus and astragalus mongholicus. They have really only come to the forefront of conventional medicine in recent years because of some independent research that was being conducted on its effect into treating HIV and certain cancer treatments. High profile illnesses that are under continual study in numerous locales. Certain properties in the astragalus plant caught the attention of individuals responsible for this sort of research.

The astragalus herb is being touted for its role in killing off cancer cells, curbing the adverse reaction s to chemotherapy, its ability to assist healing burns, protection from heart disease, its curative effect on the common cold, and its capability to help overcome general malaise and fatigue. Some have espoused to its effectiveness in fueling the spleen, liver, lungs, circulation system and urinary tract, claims of an arthritis treatment, as well as asthma, and certain nervous conditions. Assertions have been made that lower blood glucose levels can be achieved and blood pressure controlled.

Most traditional Asian practitioners utilize astragalus as a primary element in certain herbal tonics to assist in the energy flow or Ch’i, the living strength in one’s body, which is critical to a healthy body, mind and spirit, and it is used frequently as a treatment for disease. They will tend to use astragalus in its root variety or dried and converted to powder form for use as a mix with other herbs.

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Astragalus root has been used in Asia predominantly for centuries to help boost a person’s immunity so they can better fight against the common cold or influenza virus. There have been studies that indicate the antiviral elements and assistance to the immune system provided when taking astragalus. There has not been any actual independent research conducted that specifically investigates whether or not astragalus is effectual against rhinitis or the common cold in human beings.

Astragalus is known to be an antioxidant, therefore being administered for illnesses such as heart disease. As a herbal remedy experiments are being conducted to see if it is an effective therapy for those people that have weakened immunity due to a chronic illness or long-term condition. Today astragalus is available as a supplement in capsule or extract form and is becoming more popular as a tea. It is also found in its original root form but this type of astragalus is slightly more difficult to find. Health supplement stores, Asian herbal businesses, or authentic Asian grocers may also carry it.

Customary Chinese medicine enthusiasts would suggest ingesting astragalus as a defense against colds but to stay away from it if you are really sick. A good way to take your astragalus is in a soup or broth several times a week during the cold and flu season to prevent infection.

Astragalus has the ability to augment the effectiveness of other antiviral drugs such as interferon or acyclovir that could actually exacerbate the side effects you could naturally feel if taking these medications as part of a prescribed medical protocol. There is perhaps the chance it could offset any immune stifling medications like cyclophosphamide or corticosteroids. One could also experience a drop in their blood glucose level or blood pressure, which in turn may enhance the effectual nature of the drugs that combat these illnesses.

Clearly there are potential contraindications with astragalus if you are taking other more conventional medications prescribed by your physician. Astragalus can amplify the results attained from taking diuretics and prescribed blood thinners that are anti clotting or anti platelet drugs including such familiar ones as aspirin or Plavix and more obscure meds like ticlopidine [Ticlid] and Warfarin [Coumadin]. Anyone who is on any of these prescriptions should ask their primary health care provider if astragalus is a viable option for them.

Therefore, if you are suffering with a nasty cold or a bout of the flu, you really should just make a note that when you are eventually recovered it may not be a bad idea to supplement your immunity with astragalus in some form. There just isn’t enough evidentiary data to give a risk free recommendation to start using astragalus as a part of your health regimen unless you are already in reasonably good health and even then you should consult an expert herbalist or practitioner.

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The astragalus root has recently been discovered as a major breakthrough as an alternative treatment in HIV/AIDS patients, as noted by researchers at the UCLA AIDs Institute. It offers both a natural and cost effective method to treat this disease. Many patients have limited results when being treated with HIV/AIDS drugs and these drugs can be very expensive.

In Asia, the Chinese use the astragalus root in the treatment of heart disease, diarrhea, and the immune system. As cells age, they lose their ability to divide and lose their disease fighting capabilities. Thus, the immune system is compromised. The astragalus root has shown success in curbing the development of telomere, which is the area in the rear of each chromosome cell, and it contains the repeated DNA series without genes; hence the telomeres instead protect the chromosome ends from becoming fused as one.
Of the 50 most utilized herbs in ancient Chinese remedies, astragalus is the most prolifically used of any of them. It is usually boiled in water or the roots used in soups and it has properties proven to improve human immunity to disease, so much so that it has raised the hopes of many researchers worldwide. There is optimism in the ranks of HIV research because of the capacity to augment telomerase action as well as the antivirus utility of CD8T-lymphocytes that leads researchers to believe a useful stratagem for treating HIV virus could be in expected or perhaps likely in the future.

Cell aging reduces the capability of cell division due to the telomere portion of the chromosome reducing regularly during cell separation. The consequence of this is the many variations of divided cells and the immunity potential then becomes suspect and even negated. When the cell can’t divide any longer this is known as replicative senescence and may appear that the cell has reached its end, though this is not the case, since the cell has simply morphed into a cell with fresh genetic and well-designed uniqueness.

Massive amounts of cell separation is required in the immunity system for this human immune structure to complete its role correctly. For instance, the aptly named “killer” CD8 T cells, which battle against infection, have exclusively sensitive nerve endings for exacting antigen matches. When a body is invaded by virus, those killer T cells, whose receptors distinguish that the virus, by virtue of its dividing, has created versions of itself, which now also enter into immunity combat against the viral invader.

Usually the telomeres within the cells are indeed lengthy enough that their ability to divide over and over again without trouble is not compromised. While fighting infections, T cells may introduce the telomerase enzyme thereby stopping any shortening of the telomeres. A large obstacle in this HIV fight or any virus is the T cells do not have the ability to produce telomerase indefinitely. The T cells will shut off, telomeres shorten and they enter into the replicative senescence phase.

Earlier testing has revealed when injection of the telomerase gene into T cells takes place, this may keep the telomeres from getting shorter thus allowing them to continue their battle against the HIV virus for a longer period. As a genetic therapy method, this really is not the most realistic method of treatment for the tens of millions of HIV sufferers worldwide.

In the most current study, instead of using genetic therapy, scientists utilized a compound known as TAT2 that had its origin from the astragalus plants that are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and are known to activate telomerase actions in cells when tested. Tests were conducted in a few ways with TAT2. Initially showing the CD8 T cells from an HIV positive individual to TAT2 to measure if the compound actually stymied the shortening of telomeres and if the cells manufacture improved of soluble factors referred to as chemokines and cytokines which had already shown the ability to hinder HIV replication and it did!

Researchers then gathered blood samples of HIV infected patients, separating the CD8 T cells along with CD4 T cells that are the ones infected with HIV. They then treated the CD8 T cells with their TAT2 then mixed them among the CD4 T cells in the lab dish and realized their treated CD8 cells actually inhibited the manufacture of HIV via the CD4 cells.

This capability to improve telomerase action as well as the antiviral utility of the CD8 T – lymphocytes puts forward that this stratagem has the potential to be used in the treatment of HIV illness and the immunodeficiency plus the amplified vulnerability to more viruses out there that are linked with persistent illness or simply aging.

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Chicken Soup with Astragalus

This recipe is a great way to warm up on a cold winter day, and have the added benefit of some astragalus in your diet to boost your immunity system.

What you need to get started:

• 1 small-to medium-sized whole chicken
• enough rice to stuff the chicken
• 5 to 7 chopped garlic cloves
• ginger, chopped finely – ½ inch length
• 1 bay leaf
• sea salt to taste
• garnish of dark roasted sesame oil (garnish)
• sliced green onion (garnish)
• finely chopped small Thai chili peppers (garnish)
• 2 medium sized roots of dried astragalus (can be left out if unable to find)

Method of preparation:

Remove any excess fat and skin from the chicken, and rinse thoroughly.

Stuff the inside of the chicken with rice. Using a covered pot, set the stuffed chicken into the pot and fill with enough water so the chicken is entirely covered. The water should be about 2 inches above the top of the chicken.

Add the bay leaf and sea salt to the water in the pot and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to medium-low to gently simmer. Now add the garlic, ginger, and astragalus. Continue to cook for about two hours or until the chicken and rice are well done.

When serving, add some of the chicken to rice and soup mixture and garnish with green onions, chili peppers – just a few as these are very hot, and dark sesame oil.

Winter Congee with Astragalus

In China, Congee (also called jook or juk) is a rice porridge that is often served for breakfast. It is frequently served to elderly or weak people, as it is easily digested and tones the body. As the taste is rather bland, often toppings will be added, such as eggs, shrimp, peanuts, ginger, soy sauce or scallion.

When astragalus is added to this recipe, it boosts the immunity, and energizes the body.

What you need to get started:

1 oz. astragalus root
1/2 cup long-grain rice
8 cups of water or stock
12 black dates, soaked and pitted
1 large or 2 small carrots, diced
1 T fresh ginger, minced
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. powdered ginger
1 tsp. powdered cardamom seed

Method of preparation:

In a large pot, mix all ingredients and bring to a boil. Then continue to simmer until congee is soft and resembles porridge (this takes about 1 to 2 hours). Remove the astragalus root from the mixture. Enhance the flavor by adding a bit of cinnamon and butter.

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Astragalus has many medicinal uses, including treatment for night sweats and diarrhea. It can also be useful as an energy tonic when taken daily, and is also used in the treatment for hepatitis and cancer. Further, it can be used to boost the efficiency of certain antiviral medications, including acyclovir and amantadine.
Another use is treatment of heart disease, although this use has not been proven as an effective treatment for humans and further research is required. By causing the blood vessels to relax, astragalus may act as a diuretic to lower blood pressure. Note that this herb should not be used in place of a doctor’s prescribed treatment.

An additional use is to improve the immunity system. Astragalus may have the effect of preventing colds and flu’s by multiplying the amount of immune cells that are produced in the body. However, it is not wise to use this herb if you are already sick and suffering from a cold. During the winter months, it is suggested to eat a bowl of soup with astragalus root added to prevent the onset of colds. Some of its benefits are to be relief from weakness and fatigue.

However, the use of astragalus to improve the immune system also requires additional research to understand if it is an effective treatment. Because astragalus is usually combined with other herbs when administered, its usefulness is difficult to prove.

Astragalus

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Astragalus is a plant that grows naturally in Asia, and the root of Astragalus is the part of this plant that is used for medicinal purposes and is yellow in color. The Chinese have named Astragalus “huang qi”, which means “yellow leader”. This plant has many other names such as astragalus membranaceus and astragalus mongholicus, bei qi, huang qi, ogi, hwangai or milk vetch. Astragalus is a very important herb in Chinese medicine.

When preparing astragalus to be used for medicinal purposes, some people will boil the roots in water to soften them and then add additional herbs. One such herb is ginseng. Another way to use astragalus is as a food supplement that can be found at natural health food stores or Chinese herbal shops.

The Chinese may add this herb to teas and soups as an active ingredient in their traditional medicines. In stores, astragalus can be found in a variety of forms including capsule, tea or extract. It can also be found in its natural form as a dried root that measures about 5 inches in length.

Astragalus

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