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Home >
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Supplement Articles
> Astragalus |
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Supplement Articles |
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ASTRAGALUS
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.)
Astragalus helps you get
through colds and flus ... |
ASTRAGALUS |
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Astragalus
can help fight chest
colds |
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Astragalus is one of
the most widely used
herbs in Asian
medicine. It was
first mentioned in
Chinese medical
texts that date back
to 2000 years ago.
The root of the
Astragalus plant has
been extensively
studied in Asia. It
is most well known
for its effect on
the immune system.
It increases the
activity of immune
cells, resulting in
more efficient
responses to
infection and
reversing states of
immune suppression.
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In contrast to the
immune boosting
properties of some
herbs, Astragalus
can be taken for
long periods of time
(several months)
without showing a
decrease in the
response of the
immune system.
Astragalus also has
antiviral and
anti-cancer
properties. It
has a positive
effect on the
cardiovascular
system by protecting
the heart from viral
infections that
damage heart tissue.
Astragalus also
improves shortness
of breath and
cardiac output in
patients with
congestive heart
failure.
Certain constituents of the astragalus root, specifically cycloastragenols and astragalosides have been implicated in activating telomerase. A telomere is a region of repetitive DNA at the end of a chromosome, it serves to protect the end of the chromosome from deterioration and make it possible for cells to divide (which inevitably means shorten) without losing genetic material. Telomoerase is an enzyme that initiates telomere synthesis and can add to the end of the telomere,ensuring that it does not wear down too much, too fast. Astragalosides have been shown to increase this enzyme production. Not only does this mean that astraglalus prevents depletion, but that it may be capable of supporting a certain amount of telomere rebuilding, making up for what has been lost through the natural process of ageing and DNA replication. This has numerous implications in term of anti-ageing abilities.
Astragalus is
commonly used as
dried root, tincture
or solid extract.
Astragalus is often
found mixed with
herbs, such as
licorice and
ginseng, in Chinese
patent formulas.
These formulas are
specially formulated
to increase the
power of single
herbs by combining
them with other
synergistic herbs.
Astragalus should
not be used when an
individual has a
fever. The
Asian philosophy
believes that the
herb can boost the
strength of the
infecting organism
as well as the
patient. More
research is needed
with regard to the
use of Astragalus in
HIV patients. |
Astragalus–
QUICK FACTS
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PART USED
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·
Roots. |
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APPLICATIONS |
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Frequent
colds and
flus. |
OPTIMUM
DOSAGE
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·
Dried root
9-15g
daily.
Tincture
6-18mL
daily.
Powdered
solid
extract
750-1500mg
daily.
(Clinical
doses may be
higher as
recommended
by your
practitioner). |
WORKS WELL
WITH
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·
Vitamin C,
bioflavinoids. |
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IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
click for products |
·
There are no
known
adverse
effects or
drug
interactions
with
Astragalus.
·
Astragalus
should not
be used
during a
fever.
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2011. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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