"This is madness!"
Not so! I simply prefer to trust my health to interventions that have more than an odd 60 years to prove their efficacy (and are not driven by financial agendas). As such, I give you - Astragalus!
Astragalus was first recorded in Shen Nong's Materia Medica about two thousand years ago. It was believed to stimulate the immune system, have antioxidant function and treat viral infections. As such, astragalus root is still considered among the most important and popular herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine for health, energy and the strengthening of Qi.
No doubt some people were tempted to tune out when I made mention of TCM. However, as is oft' the case, science is only now discovering the mechanisms of action of various herbs and roots that have been known for eons as potent tonics and remedies for various conditions.
The Evidence:
Studies using various experimental models indicate that astragalus has immune-modulating properties. Specifically, it stimulates macrophage (white blood cells) activity and enhances antibody responses. In fact, in vivo studies have observed that astragalus stimulates the immune system, even in the presence of therapies which are immunosuppressive (e.g. x-rays, corticosteroids, cytoxoins).
If that wasn't enough studies of astragalus polysaccharides indicate they exert significant biological effects such as increasing cellular and humoral immune responses as well as increasing gut flora. The latter suggests that astragalus may impart beneficial immune effects within the GI tract.
That's Not All
Believe me when I say that astragalus has a WIDE range of evidence-based benefits. As suggested by TCM, the herb has been found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. In addition, animal studies indicate that it may have a role as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of various cancers through demonstrated anti-carcinogenic and anti-tumour effects.
The more promiscuous reader may wish to exercise caution with this supplement as astragalus has shown a significant effect on human sperm motility in vitro, when compared with controls.
Dosage:
According to Herbs & Natural Supplements: An Evidence-Based Guide (3rd Edition), the dosage ranges for astragalus are as follows:
- Dried Root: 2 - 30g / day
- Liquid Extract (1:2): 4.5 - 8.5ml / day
- Decoction: 8 - 12g divided into two doses daily on an empy stomach
In terms of contraindicates and precautions, Traditional Chinese Medicine dictates that astragalus should not be used during the acute stages of an infection. That is, once the physiological symptoms occur, soon after onset of infection.
References:
Chu, D. T., Wong, W.L., & Mavligit, G. M. (1988). Immunotherapy with Chinese mdicinal herbs. J Clin Lab Immunol 25(3), 119-23.
Jin, R., et al (1999). Studies on pharmacological junctions of hairy root of Astragalus membranaceus. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi, 24(10), 619-21, 639.
Jiao, Y., et al (1999). Influence of flavonoid of Astragalus membranaceus' stem and leaves on the function of cell mediated immunity in mice. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi, 19(6), 356-8.
Guo, F. C., et al. (2004). Effects of mushroom and herb polysaccharides on cellural and humoral immune responses of Eimeria tenella-infected chickens. Poult Sci, 83(7), 1124-32.
Liu, J. P., et al. (2004). Effects of several Chinese herbal aqueous extracts on human sperm motility in vitro. Andrologia, 36(2), 78-83.
Lau, B.H., et al. (1994). Chinese medicinal herbs inhibit growth of murine renal cell carcinoma. Cancer Biother, 9(2), 153-61.
Luo, Y., et al. (2004). Astragaloside IV protects against ischemic brain injury in a murine model of transient focal ischemia. Neurosci Lett, 363(3), 218-23.
L. Braun, & M. Cohen (2010).Herbs and Natural Supplements: An Evidence Based Guide (3rd Edition). Churchill Livingstone Publishing, NSW, Australia.
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