Therapeutic Uses
- Enhanced Immunity – Several studies have shown that astragalus improves various measures of immune function. Currently, Americans are most likely to use astragalus while taking immune-suppressing cancer chemotherapy drugs.
- Heart Disease – One study found that the herb reduced the chest pain caused by angina in 83% of sufferers. Another study found that heart attack sufferers treated with astragalus showed significantly improved heart function over those who did not take the herb.
- Liver Damage – Astragalus may help protect the liver from damage caused by cancer chemotherapy drugs, such as stilbenemide.
Medicinal uses: *Arthritis *Asthma *Blood pressure*Circulatory *Common cold *Diabetes *Fibromyalgia *Heart benefits *Heart disease *Liver *Lower blood sugar *Lungs *Nervous conditions *Spleen *Upper respiratory infections *Urinary system *Weakness
Astragalus Root Side Effects: Very high doses may suppress the immune system. Pregnant or nursing women should not use astragalus root. Those who have received organ transplants, or who have an immune system disease such as multiple sclerosis, lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, or another condition known as an “autoimmune disease,” should not use astragalus root. Discontinue use before surgery due to bleeding risk. As it is rich in selenium, astragalus can be toxic and result in neurological damage and paralysis if taken in large amounts.
Astragalus Drug Interactions: Avoid using astragalus if you are taking immune-suppressing drugs. People who take warfarin should avoid astragalus because of the potential for bleeding. Persons taking beta-blockers, which include atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), and many other medications, should also avoid astragalus.
