Astragalus membranaceus
(Astragalus, Milk vetch)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Adaptogenic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial against:
  
  Diplococcus
  Shigella
  Staphylococcus aureus
  Streptococcus
• Antioxidant
• Anti-tumor activity
• Antiviral
• Cardiotonic
• Diuretic only in weakness-induced water retention
• Hepatoprotective
• Hypotensive due to both vasodilator and cardiodepressor activity
• Increases natural killler cell and T cell activity
• Promotes the production of interferons
• Promotes tissue regeneration
• Potects against WBC drops during chemotherapy by protecting the adrenal cortical function and decreasing bone marrow suppression
• Protects kidney function
• Strengthens immune system
• Supports the lungs
• Tonic

Clinical Indications:

• AIDS
• Alzheimer's disease
• Asthma
• Constipation
• Fertility/Infertility
• Peptic ulcer
• Diarrhea
• Infections including:
  
  Diplococcus
  Staphylococcal strains
  Streptococcus
• Lack of appetite
• Respiratory disorders

Contraindications:

• None known

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• No interactions have been reported

Chemical Constituents:

• Amino acids
• Astragalosides I-VII
• Beta-sitosterol
• Betaine
• Choline
• Glycosides
• Plant acid
• Polysaccharides
• Rumatakenin
• Saponins
• Sugar
• Vitamin A

Toxicity:

• None known

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).