Astragalus herb

[Guest guest]

Has anyone heard of the Astragauls herb supplement for boosting the immune system and preventing viruses? Here is the info I found.

Astragalus (herb)

What is it?

Astragalus

is an herb from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) which is traditionally used

for its immune enhancing properties, but is also recommended in TCM for

"deficiency of chi" (life force) – which might include symptoms such

as lack of energy and fatigue. The plant is native to Northern China and Mongolia and there are over 2,000 types of

astragalus worldwide.

Claims

Stimulates immune system

Provides cancer protection

Acts as an adaptogen

(non-specific resistance to stress)

Boosts energy levels

Theory

Several

chemical constituents of astragalus have been identified as potential active

compounds, including saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides and glycosides.

Astragalus is often combined with other adaptogenic herbs, such as ginseng,

and promoted as a guard against various internal and external stressors. Combination of astragalus with echinacea

is common for protection against common infections of the mucous membranes (cold and flu).

Scientific Support

Most of the

scientific data on astragalus comes from Chinese clinical evidence, where

astragalus appears to stimulate the immune system in patients with infections.

At least one clinical trial in the U.S. has shown astragalus to boost

T-cell levels close to normal in some cancer patients, suggesting the

possibility of a synergistic effect of astragalus with chemotherapy. In animal

studies, astragalus extracts have been shown effective in preventing infection

of mice by influenza virus, possibly by increasing the phagocytotic activity of

the white blood cells of the immune system.

Safety

When used

as recommended, astragalus has no known side effects, but gastrointestinal

distress and diarrhea are possible at high intakes.

Value

Astragalus

is available as a single-ingredient supplement, but it may be even more

effective in lower doses (100-200 mg/day) when combined with other

immune-stimulating herbs and nutrients.

Approximately

500 mg per day is recommended for stimulation of the immune system and to

provide resistance to the effects of stress. Divided doses of 250 mg per day of

a standardized root extract are preferred.

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