Amazing Astragalus

Many Chinese herbs have strong immunity-enhancing effects. Astragalus is very well-known for its powerful “non-specific" immune system stimulating capacity, which works by increasing the numbers and activity of roving white blood cells. 

A study conducted at the University of Texas Medical Centre in Houston showed that astragalus extracts were able to completely restore the function of immune cells in cancer patients. Research has confirmed repeatedly that astragalus increases both specific and non-specific immunity (Chu et al, 1988, Sun et al 1, 1983 & Sun et al 2, 1983). In a clinical trial of 115 leucopenia patients, astragalus was found to be associated with an "obvious rise of the white blood cell (WBC) count" with a dose-dependent relationship (Weng, 1995). In addition, astragalus works well with concurrent drug therapy in enhancing the overall effectiveness of the treatment. It also potentiates the anti-tumour effect of chemotherapy drugs (Chu et al 1 , 1988) while reversing drug-induced immune suppression (Chu et al 2, 1988). Lastly, astragalus shows anti-cancer activity by increasing the content of camp and inhibiting the growth of tumour cells (Yeung, 1996).

Astragalus enhances immune function by increasing the activity of certain white blood cells, which increases the production of antibodies (IgA and IgG) and increases the production of interferon. It stimulates natural killer cells (Zand, 1999, Leung & Foster, 1996).

In addition to boosting immunity, Astragalus has antibacterial, adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral effects. It contains numerous components, including polysaccharides, flavonoids, triterpene glycosides, amino acids, and trace minerals (Shu, 1986). It owes most of its immune enhancing effects to polysaccharides; a group of complex sugars responsible for initiating the immune response. Polysaccharides work with other key components to strengthen and build the immune system.

According to James Duke, Ph.D., the world's leading authority on healing herbs, Astragalus increases white blood cell production of the body's own anti-viral compounds alpha-and gamma-interferon, which generally protect against viral invasion (Duke, 1997).

Astragalus also enhances T-cell production and stimulates macrophages (Yoshida et al, 1997).

In one study 8 grams of Astragalus given orally to 14 healthy volunteers for 2 months significantly increased interferon-inducing ability of blood cells. In another study Astragalus extract given to healthy adults for 20 days increased blood IgM, IgE and cAMP [and A herbal tincture of Astragalus stimulated CD4 and CD8 T-cells and induced the production of CD69 in human subjects ) Brush et al, 2006).

Astragalus flavonoids are reported to increase in vivo cell-mediated immunity in guinea pigs and mice (Zhuang, 1992 & Yuan et al, 1990). Astragalus appears to enhance cell-mediated immunity by increasing the number of T-helper cell type 2 cytokines, increasing levels of tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-6 (Zhuang, 1992).