Astragalus
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
Brief Background:
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous) has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a restorative tonic for the aged and debilitated, according to secondary sources. A. mongholicus contains many of the same constituents and medicinal properties as A. membranaceous.
The active constituents in Astragalus include several polysaccharide cycloartane glycosides (astragalosides), triterpenoids, isoflavonoids, amino acids, gamma amino butyric acid and other biogenic amines. Experimentally, the polysaccharide and isoflavonoid fractions have been shown to have immuno-stimulant and anti-oxidant properties in vitro and in vivo which in turn exert protective cellular effects in organ systems such as the liver, lung, kidney and cardiovascular system.
Expert Opinion and Historic Precedent:
Astragalus root (huang-qi) has been highly regarded in TCM for centuries as a superior adaptogen and restorative tonic; a sweet, warming herb with effects on lung, spleen and heart meridians. An adaptogen is believed by some to increase general resistance to stress and disease and normalize disturbances in homeostasis produced by pathophysiological or environmental stimuli. The Chinese name, huang-qi, can be interpreted as yellow leader; a superior tonic. Traditionally, Astragalus is combined with other adaptogenic herbs such as ginseng, angelica, licorice and administered as a decoction or strong tea. Shi-quan-da-bu-tang (SQT) also named Ten Significant Tonic Decoction, is a combination of ten such herbs (Rehmannia glutinosa, Paeonia lactiflora, Liquisticum wallichii, Angelica sinesis, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephala, Panax ginseng, Astragalus membranaceus and Cinnamomum cassia). SQT traditionally is used to tone the blood, and strengthen overall health and immunity. Experimentally SQT is considered to be the most potent biological response modifier of all herbal combination remedies.
Astragalus is listed in the Pharmacopoeias of Japan and The People’s Republic of China. “Radix astragali” is used in China to refer to A.membranaceus and A mongholicus, both of which have similar medicinal properties.
In the US in the 1980s, Astragalus became highly popularized through the media as an immune system stimulant and today is one of the most widely purchased herbal remedies.
The sap from three other Astragalus species cultivated in Iran (Gum tragacanth) has been used commercially for thousands of years as a thickener in foods and lotions and in pharmaceutical preparations.
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