ASTRAGALUS HUANG QI
A Chinese herb; an immune system booster, known to stimulate body´s natural production of interferon. It also helps the immune system identify rogue cells. Work with the herb in both cancer and AIDS cases has been encouraging. The MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Texas conducted research showing that taking Astragalus when having Radiotherapy doubled survival times.
Astragalus is a large genus of about 3,000 species[1] of herbs and small shrubs, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae and the subfamily Faboideae. The genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Common names include milkvetch (most species), locoweed (in North America, some species)[2] and goat’s-thorn (A. gummifer, A. tragacanthus). Some pale-flowered vetches are similar in appearance, but vetches are more vine-like.
Astragalus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including many case-bearing moths of the genus Coleophora: C. cartilaginella, C. colutella, C. euryaula, and C. onobrychiella feed exclusively on Astragalus, C. astragalella and C. gallipennella feed exclusively on the species Astragalus glycyphyllos, and C. hippodromica is limited to Astragalus gombo.
Traditional uses
The natural gum tragacanth is made from several species of Astragalus occurring in the Middle East, including A. adscendens, A. gummifer, A. brachycalyx,[3][4] and A. tragacanthus. Also Astragalus propinquus (syn. A. membranaceus) has a history of use as a herbal medicine used in systems of traditional Chinese medicine.[5] and Persian medicine [6]
popular qi tonic (especially the wei qi), these large roots of Astragalus are sweet and slightly warm in energy. Our roots are cut from long robust plants with a nice yellow colored pith, that possess a nice sweetness when chewed.
Research
Biotechnology firms are working on deriving a telomerase activator from Astragalus. The chemical constituent cycloastragenol (also called TAT2) is being studied to help combat HIV, as well as infections associated with chronic diseases or aging.[7] However, the National Institutes of Health states: “The evidence for using astragalus for any health condition is limited. High-quality clinical trials (studies in people) are generally lacking. There is some preliminary evidence to suggest that astragalus, either alone or in combination with other herbs, may have potential benefits for the immune system, heart, and liver, and as an adjunctive therapy for cancer”.[8]
Research at the UCLA AIDS Institute focused on the function of cycloastragenol in the aging process of immune cells, and its effects on the cells’ response to viral infections. It appears to increase the production of telomerase, an enzyme that mediates the replacement of short bits of DNA known as telomeres, which play a key role in cell replication, including in cancer processes.[9]
Supplement use
Extracts of Astragalus propinquus ( syn. A. membranaceus) are marketed as life-prolonging extracts for human use. A proprietary extract of the dried root of A. membranaceus, called TA-65, “was associated with a significant age-reversal effect in the immune system, in that it led to declines in the percentage of senescent cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells after six to twelve months of use”.[10] There are mixed data regarding Astragalus, its effects on telomerase, and cancer. For example while 80% of cancer cells utilize telomerase for their proliferation – a factor which might theoretically be exacerbated by Astragalus - the shortening of telomeres (resulting from such factors as stress and aging and possible contributors to malignancy), might also be mitigated by Astragalus. Thus, short telomeres result in chromosome instability, and the potential for telomere lengthening as a protection against cancer is possible.[11] Additionally, scientists recently reported in Molecular and Cellular Biology that cancer cells may proliferate precisely because of the lack of differentiation occurring via damaged or shortened telomere length. They propose that “forced” elongation of telomeres promotes the differentiation of cancer cells, probably reducing malignancy, which is strongly associated with a loss of cell differentiation.
Side effects and toxicology
Astragalus may interact with medications that suppress the immune system, such as cyclophosphamide.[8] It may also affect blood sugar levels andblood pressure.[8] Some Astragalus species can be toxic. For example, several species native to North America contain the neurotoxin swainsonine.[8]The toxicity of Astragalus taxa varies.[12]
Ornamental use
Several species, including A. alpinus (bluish-purple flowers), A. hypoglottis (purple flowers), and A. lotoides, are grown as ornamental plants in gardens.
Astragalus ( Huang Qi ) 黃耆 Chinese Herbs Articles
Astragalus ( Huang Qi ) 黃耆 Chinese Herbs Articles also written as 黃芪 also known as: Astragali, Beg Kei, Bei Qi, Buck Qi, Huang Qi, Hwanggi, Membranous Milk Vetch, Milk Vetch, Mongolian Milk, Ogi. Astragalus membranaceus; Astragalus mongholicus. It belong to the Leguminosae or Fabaceae family.
Astragalas ( Huang Qi ) 黃耆 has a sweet taste and a warm properties and it is use for treating the spleen and lung.
Astragalus ( Huang Qi ) 黃耆 Usage:
- tonify spleen & lung Qi – raises Spleen & Stomach Qi (prolapse)
- tonify Wei Qi – stabilize exterior
- tonify Qi and blood due to loss of blood – postpartum fever
- promotes urination – Edema – discharge of pus – generates flesh
Astragalus ( Huang Qi ) 黃耆 Other Use:
1. Orally, Astragalus ( Huang Qi ) 黃耆 is used for treating the common cold and upper respiratory infections; to strengthen and regulate the immune system; and to increase the production of blood cells particularly in individuals with chronic degenerative disease or in individuals with cancer undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy. It is also used orally for chronic nephritis and diabetes. Astragalus is also used orally as an antibacterial and antiviral; a tonic; liver protectant; anti-inflammatory; antioxidant; and as a diuretic, vasodilator, or hypotensive agent.
2. Topically, Astragalus ( Huang Qi ) 黃耆 is used as a vasodilator and to speed healing.
3. In combination with Ligustrum lucidum (glossy privet), astragalus is used orally for treating breast, cervical, and lung cancers.
Astragalus ( Huang Qi ) 黃耆 Use Cautions:
There are many varieties of astragalus ( Huang Qi ) 黃耆. Some are toxic. The varieties used in Chinese herbal medicine is relatively safe but in rare cases it might cause rash.
Huang Qi (Astragalus membranaceus) Root
Astragalus membranaceus
Our freshly harvested root are completely chemical free and extremely high quality to preserve all of its benefits.
Traditional & Modern Use:
Huang Qi root is harvested white but becomes a pale yellow. The roots are a staple in Chinese medicine praised for its energizing effects. The root pieces can be simmered for long periods of time and served as a tea or soup but the root pieces are too tough to chew so they are not consumed unless powdered. The roots are a very powerful herb for aiding the kidneys as well as a preventative medicine for senility. Chinese holistic healers also believe strongly that the regular use of Astralagus rejuvinates debilitated patients and fights off serious disease. News studies in the West have now begun to show some amazing results in the treatment of cancer and that the root can restore normal immune function in cancer patients. Impressively, patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy recover much quicker and can live longer when using the root simultaneously to their treatments.
References
- Frodin, D. G. (2004). “History and concepts of big plant genera”. Taxon 53 (3): 753–776. doi:10.2307/4135449.
- “Astragalus (Locoweed) flowers”. Rootcellar.us. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
- [1]
- “Astragalus brachycalyx Fisch.”. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) online database. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
- “Astragalus | University of Maryland Medical Center”. Umm.edu. 2013-05-07. Retrieved 2013-07-05.
- Zargary, A. Medicinal plants. 5th Edition.Tehran: Tehran University Publications 1990; pp. 312-314
- “Herbal chemical helps combat HIV”. United Press International. January 1, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
- Astragalus, NCCAM
- Fauce, S. R., et al. (2008). “Telomerase-Based Pharmacologic Enhancement of Antiviral Function of Human CD8+ T Lymphocytes”. Journal of Immunology 181 (10): 7400–7406. PMC 2682219. PMID 18981163. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
- Harley, C. B., et al. (2011). “A natural product telomerase activator as part of a health maintenance program”.Rejuvenation Research 14 (1): 45–56.doi:10.1089/rej.2010.1085. PMC 3045570.PMID 20822369.
- Hiyama, K., et al. (2009). “Role of telomeres and telomerase in cancer”. In K. Hiyama. Telomeres and Telomerase in Cancer. Cancer Drug Discovery and Development II. Humana Press. pp. 171–180.doi:10.1007/978-1-60327-879-9_7. ISBN 978-1-60327-879-9.
- Rios, J. L.; P. G. Waterman (1998). “A review of the pharmacology and toxicology of Astragalus“. Phytotherapy Research 11 (6): 411–418. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199709)11:6<411::AID-PTR132>3.0.CO;2-6.
Astragalus- Large list of species
- Very large list of species (with synonyms).
- Astragalus at a Glance This fact sheet from the U.S. National Institutes of Health provides basic information about Astragalus – common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information.
- Astragalus alpinus This Rare Species Guide profile from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides information about the basis for the species’ listing, habitat, biology and life history, conservation and management, and conservation efforts.
- Chinese Milkvetch, Astragalus membranaceus, Kansas State University
- Astragalus Root
Filed under: CHINESE HERBS Tagged: ASTRAGALUS, CHINESE HERBS, HUANG QI
