What is Astragalus?what is function of Astragalus?.
Content:
- .Botanical Description of Astragalus.
- .Astragalus Root Spices and Preparation.
- .Constituents and Phytochemicals of Astragalus Root.
- .Narrative History of Astragalus.
- .Modern Uses and Application of Astragalus root.
- .Improve immune function:Astragalus as antiviral agent.
- .Astragalus Cardiovascular effects.
- .Research Update:Anti-aging effect of astragalosides.
- .Astragalus Root combination and Suggestions.
- .Astragalus Observational Studies Case Reports.
- .Quantitative Analysis of Astragloside IV.
- .Uses based on tradition or theory.
- .Application,Administration and Dosing.
Astragalus Root combination and Suggestions.
1.For spleen-qi and stomach-qi deficiency, anorexia (uncontrolled lack or loss of the appetite for food), loose stool, or sinking of qi in the middle-jiao, lingering diarrhea, and visceroptosis (downward displacement of the viscera), the herb is often used in combination with dangshen, white atractylodes rhizome, liquorice, bupleurum root, cimicifuga rhizome and other herbs for strengthening the spleen, arresting diarrhea, invigorating qi and elevating yang, such as Buzhong Yiqi Decoction.
2.It is often used in combination with dangshen, schisandra fruit, tatarian aster root and other herbs for invigorating qi, nourishing the lung and arresting cough, to treat deficiency of the lung-qi, perspiration and short breath on exertion; and with ledebouriella root, white atractylodes rhizome, light wheat and other herbs for invigorating qi and consolidating superficies to stop sweating, to treat spontaneous perspiration due to exterior deficiency, or vulnerability to wind-cold due to failure of superficial qi to protect the body from disease.
3.For edema and difficulty in urination due to deficiency of qi and yang:it is often used in combination with prepared aconite root, white atractylodes rhizome, poria, umbellate pore fungus and other herbs for invigorating qi, warm-yang and inducing diuresis to remove edema.
4.It is often used in combination with Chinese angelica root, pangolin scales, chuanxiong rhizome, Chinese honeylocust spine and other herbs for warming and invigorating qi and blood, promoting the heal of sore and discharging pus, such as Tounong Powder, to treat chronic skin and external diseases, cold and deficiency of qi and blood; and with Chinese angelica root, cinnamon bark, dangshen, prepared rehmannia root and other herbs for warming and nourishing qi and blood, regenerating tissue and astringing sore, and treating chronic ulcer.
In addition, the herb can be used in combination with herbs for promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis, to treat numbness of limbs and the body.
Astragalus Root Suggestions:
Decoction: 10-15g, large dosages can use up to 30-60g.
Although astragalus is usually combined with other herbs, it is available by itself in capsules that generally contain between 250 mg and 500 mg of powdered astragalus root. If it is taken separately, oral doses of astragalus typically range from 1,000 mg to 30,000 mg (one gram to 30 grams) of powdered root per day in two or three doses. Although doses can be much higher, some evidence shows that doses above 28,000 mg (28 grams or about one ounce) per day are no more effective than lower doses. Higher doses may also increase the risk for side effects. If a single-ingredient astragalus product is used, the directions on the package that is purchased should be followed for the condition being treated.
Astragalus can be made into a tea by boiling up to 120,000 mg (120 grams or about 4 ounces) of the fresh, whole root in about one quart of water. A typical dose of astragalus tea is 2 cups to 4 cups per day, although no real limits are placed on its use. Due to its pleasant taste, astragalus tea is sometimes served as a beverage.
In North America, astragalus products generally are not standardized. Standardization by the manufacturer assures the same amount of active ingredient in every batch of the commercial preparation. Oral astragalus products sold in this country may have different amounts of active ingredients depending on where and when they were grown and how they were processed and stored.
Astragalus ointments generally contain 10% of astragalus and they are applied as often as needed. In Asia, injectable forms of astragalus and herbal combinations containing astragalus are used in hospitals and clinics. Injectable forms of astragalus are not available in the United States.
Summary:
In western countries, astragalus is used mostly to enhance immune function. It is also promoted for preventing colds, but no clinical studies support that claim.
Risks:
Due to possibly unpredictable effects on the immune system, astragalus should not be taken by transplant recipients or by individuals who have autoimmune conditions. Little is known about the possible effects of astragalus for developing babies or infants. Therefore, its use is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Side Effects:
No side effects have been attributed to the use of astragalus, but not enough information about it is available to determine whether or not side effects are possible.
Interactions:
The immune system effects of astragalus make using it inappropriate while taking corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs. It may enhance the effects of antiviral drugs.
Interactions with Prescription Drugs:
In theory, astragalus may interfere with the effects of corticosteroids, which are often used for a variety of inflammatory conditions including arthritis, asthma, cancer, eye conditions, and skin infections. Commonly prescribed corticosteroids include:
beclomethasone (Beconase, Vancenase) ;dexamethasone (Decadron) ;hydrocortisone ;methylprednisolone (Medrol) ;prednisolone ;prednisone (Deltasone) ;triamcinolone (Azmacort, Nasacort)
It is believed that astragalus may decrease the effects of drugs used to decrease the function of the immune system after organ transplants or in other conditions. Taking astragalus is not recommended for patients who take immunosuppressant drugs such as:
azathioprine (Imuran),CellCept,cyclosporine,Prograf,Rapamune,Zenapak
While no reports are found in the medical literature and consequences are unknown, taking astragalus may possibly increase the antiviral effects of drugs such as:
acyclovir;amantadine;Foscavir;interferons (including Alferon N, Intron A, Pegasys, PEG-Intron, and Roferon-A);non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (including Rescriptor and Viramune);nucleoside-analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (including Hivid and Retrovir);protease inhibitors (including Crixivan, Fortovase, and Norvir);Relenza,ribavirin,Tamiflu
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1.What is Astragalus?what is function of Astragalus?
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