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Astragalus And Cancer

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Astragalus, also known as milk-vetch, locoweed, or huangqi, is a plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many thousand years. It is one of the most frequently prescribed remedies in China. Astragalus is a so-called adaptogen, a nontoxic natural substance that has a balancing effect on bodily functions. It is used to strengthen or tone the body?s overall vitality, to improve digestion, and to support the spleen. It has been shown useful in spleen deficiency problems, such as poor appetite, diarrhea, and fatigue, but also for prolapse syndromes and uterine bleeding. As a herbal remedy, the roots, leaves, and flowers are being used. 23

Astragalus extracts also protect liver cells from chemical injury in animals and in laboratory studies. Studies conducted in China suggest that astragalus may also protect the kidneys when used in combination with the herb angelica. In studies using senile rats, astragalus increased the ability of their brain cells to respond to stimuli, but it is still unknown if these effects occur in humans. 10

In traditional Chinese medicine and Western clinical herbal medicine, astragalus is usually used in combination with other botanicals and is very seldom used as a single agent. Pharmacological research of astragalus in combination with ligustrum (Ligustrum lucidum) provides evidence for activity against cancers of the breast, cervix and lung. 16

Astragalus is first mentioned in the 2,000-year-old classic, Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. The Chinese name huang-qi means "yellow leader" because it is one of the superior tonic roots in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been used to invigorate vital energy (qi) and in prescriptions for shortness of breath, general weakness, and lack of appetite; also as a diuretic, and for the treatment of colds, flu, stomach ulcers, and diabetes. It is widely used in modern herbal practice in China. 4

To summarize what is known about the combination of Astragalus-based Chinese medicine and standard platinum-based chemotherapy for NSCLC, researchers combined information from 34 published clinical trials. These trials enrolled a total of 2815 patients. The researchers assessed whether Astragalus-based herbal medicine increased the effectiveness and decreased the toxicity of standard platinum-based chemotherapy. 36

Astragalus is recommended as a tonic for the elderly. It protects cells from the aging process and may diminish other negative effects of aging. For example, it strengthens digestion, stimulates the appetite, and helps improve mental functioning. Astragalus shows promise in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. By itself or in combinations, it may be useful in treating viral infections, hypoglycemia, diabetes mellitus, chronic ulcers, insomnia, hyperthyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome, open wounds, liver problems, sexual dysfunction, fertility problems, and autoimmune diseases. 42

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years, often in combination with other herbs, to strengthen the body against disease. It contains antioxidants, which protect cells against damage caused by free radicals, byproducts of cellular energy. Astragalus is used to protect and support the immune system, for preventing colds and upper respiratory infections, to lower blood pressure, to treat diabetes, and to protect the liver. 17

Astragalus (also known as Huang qi, milk vetch) is native to northern China and the elevated regions of the Chinese provinces Yunnan and Sichuan. Astragalus actually is the root of the Astragalus membranaceus plant, which is a member of the pea family. The portion of the plant used medicinally is the four-to seven-year-old dried root collected in the spring. Although there are many varieties in the Astragalus family (such as Astragalus e.g., Chinensis, Lentiginosus and Trigonus), Astragalus membranaceus is the sole medicinal type. Astragalus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 4000 years as a tonic and an antipathogen. Astragalus is a good source of selenium, an antioxidant and immune system stimulant. 27

Astragalus’ immunotropic properties are enhanced when it is combined with ginseng, Codonopsis, schisandra, angelica, and/or licorice. It can also be blended with echinacea. Chinese medicine always use herbs in combination. Astragalus is a component of several well known Chinese medicinal formulae. 1

When dried, the root of the astragalus plant is used in teas, tinctures, and capsules. It is also available as a root slice and a powder. In China, healers sometimes use the dried root in soups or roast the root in honey for use as a medicinal tonic. Astragalus is usually combined with other Chinese herbal remedies to enhance the effects of the herbs. 3

Thirty-one patients with end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis were followed to test whether astragalus could improve their immune response. Patients received either intravenous astragalus extract or placebo for two months. Compared to the placebo group, the astragalus group had significantly higher levels of IL-2, a substance that stimulates the growth of immune cells and their response to disease. However,�this does not necessarily indicate that astragalus improved immune response in these patients. It would be more helpful to know whether astragalus helped these patients fight off disease or live longer, which this study does not address. 10

Astragalus has been used for centuries in fu-zheng therapy, an herbal treatment used by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine to promote or bolster the immune system. In trying to strengthen their patients? They use astragalus to boost immune function during and after radiation or chemotherapy treatments. 2

This herb was quite rare outside of China until a friend of mine offered a thousand dollar reward to anyone who would provide him a source that could be propagated in the States. The Chinese name for astragalus means something to the effect of "respected yellow tonic." The roots are harvested after 4-5 years of growth and usually sliced into strips that resemble tongue depressors. Most herbalists continue to prefer the better quality Chinese varieties over the domestically ground astragalus. 5

Astragalus is available in many forms. Chinese drug store sell dry roots, some stores sell powder of the roots, some market the extract, while others make it the central ingredient of herbal teas. While some use only the root, others also use the leaves and flowers. 50

Animal and lab studies may show a certain therapy is promising, but more studies are needed to find out whether the results apply to humans. A few studies of humans have been done, mostly in China, and some suggest that this herb might have some benefit for immune system cells in people with cancer. However, most experts who have reviewed these studies said that flaws in the way the most of this research was designed, conducted, or analyzed make it difficult to say whether their results are valid. A 2006 review of the most reliable studies of astragalus and lung cancer found some evidence that this herb might enhance the effects of some chemotherapy drugs, and recommended that more rigorously designed studies be conducted. 3

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