Astragalus is a flowering plant that is native to China and Korea. Its root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries as a tonic and adaptogen to improve overall health and well-being. Modern research has found that it can also stimulate the immune system and promote homeostasis in the body.
Here are 8 impressive health benefits of astragalus, according to scientific reports:
- Lowers Stress Levels: Astragalus is considered an adaptogen in Chinese medicine, meaning it helps the body adapt to stressors and promote homeostasis. Studies have found that it can lower cortisol, the hormone responsible for producing a stress response in the body, in milk-producing cows under heat stress. Additionally, it can counter the mental and behavioral impairments caused by stress in mice.
- Helps Normalize Blood Sugar Levels: Astragalus is a staple anti-diabetic herb in traditional Chinese medicine, and studies have found that it can lower high blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. This is likely due to its flavonoids and polysaccharides, which improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood glucose levels.
- Supports Immune Function: Astragalus has been found to stimulate the immune system and improve overall immunity. It can also help prevent infections and illnesses, including colds and flu.
- Enhances Cardiovascular Health: Studies have found that astragalus can help improve cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. It can also improve blood circulation and prevent blood clots.
- Promotes Anti-Aging: Astragalus contains antioxidants that can help protect against damage from free radicals, which can cause aging and disease. It can also help improve overall energy and vitality.
- Enhances Lung Function: Astragalus has been found to improve lung function and prevent respiratory infections. It can also help alleviate symptoms of asthma and bronchitis.
- Improves Kidney Function: Astragalus has been found to improve kidney function and prevent kidney damage. It can also help lower high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for kidney disease.
- Enhances Liver Function: Astragalus can help improve liver function and prevent liver damage. It can also help detoxify the body and remove toxins.
Overall, astragalus can be consumed in various forms, such as capsules, teas, and tinctures. Consult with a healthcare professional before taking astragalus supplements if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking any medications.
This article is for general information only and should not be considered as professional medical advice. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before taking any herbal supplements or making any changes to your diet or exercise routine, as herbal supplements can interact with certain medications and may not be safe for everyone. Additionally, the safety and effectiveness of some supplements may not have been adequately tested, and their claims may not have been evaluated. The purity and dosage of supplements can vary between brands, so it is important to purchase supplements from a reputable source. Keep in mind that the use of herbal supplements is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition.
References:
- “Analysis of Astragalus Polysaccharide Intervention in Heat-Stressed Dairy Cows’ Serum Metabolomics” by Hanfang Zeng, Yumeng Xi, Yeqing Li, Zedong Wang, Lin Zhang and Zhaoyu Han, 29 March 2020, Animals.
DOI: 10.3390/ani10040574 - “The Effects of Astragalus Membranaceus on Repeated Restraint Stress-induced Biochemical and Behavioral Responses” by Hyun-Jung Park, Hyun Young Kim, Kun-Ho Yoon, Kyung Soo Kim and Insop Shim, 17 August 2009, The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology.
DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2009.13.4.315 - “The effect of Astragalus as an adjuvant treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A (preliminary) meta-analysis” by Huiping Tian, Jun Lu, Hairong He, Lu Zhang, Yalin Dong, Hongping Yao, Weiyi Feng and Siwen Wang, 3 June 2016, Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.062 - “Recent Advances in Astragalus membranaceus Anti-Diabetic Research: Pharmacological Effects of Its Phytochemical Constituents” by Kojo Agyemang, Lifeng Han, Erwei Liu, Yi Zhang, Tao Wang and Xiumei Gao, 17 November 2013, Evidence-Based Medicinal Plants for Modern Chronic Diseases.
DOI: 10.1155/2013/654643 - “Study of the Effects of Total Flavonoids of Astragalus on Atherosclerosis Formation and Potential Mechanisms” by Deqing Wang, Yuan Zhuang, Yaping Tian, Graham Neil Thomas, Mingzhong Ying and Brian Tomlinson, 29 January 2012, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity.
DOI: 10.1155/2012/282383 - “Anti-tumor effects and mechanisms of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and its specific immunopotentiation: Status and prospect” by Shanshan Li, Yi Sun, Jin Huang, Bin Wang, Yinan Gong, Yuxin Fang, Yangyang Liu, Shenjun Wang, Yi Guo, Hong Wang, Zhifang Xu and Yongming Guo, 1 April 2020, Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112797 - “Anticancer activity of Astragalus polysaccharide in human non-small cell lung cancer cells” by Chao-Yan Wu, Yuan Ke, Yi-Fei Zeng, Ying-Wen Zhang and Hai-Jun Yu, 4 December 2017, Cancer Cell International.
DOI: 10.1186/s12935-017-0487-6 - “Anti-tumor potential of astragalus polysaccharides on breast cancer cell line mediated by macrophage activation” by Wenfang Li, Kedong Song, Shuping Wang, Chenghong Zhang, Meiling Zhuang, Yiwei Wang and Tianqing Liu, 8 January 2019, Materials Science and Engineering: C.
DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.01.025 - “Astragalus saponins modulates colon cancer development by regulating calpain-mediated glucose-regulated protein expression” by Yue Wang, Kathy K Auyeung, Xiaoyu Zhang and Joshua K Ko, 15 October 2014, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-401 - “Integrative Medicine for Relief of Nausea and Vomiting in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Using Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” by Meng hua Chen, Brian H. May, Iris W. Zhou, Anthony L. Zhang and Charlie C. Xue, 23 February 2016, Phytotherapy Research.
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5586 - “Astragalus membranaceus Extract Activates Immune Response in Macrophages via Heparanase” by Qiaojing Qin, Jianying Niu, Zhaoxia Wang, Wangjie Xu, Zhongdong Qiao and Yong Gu, 13 June 2012, Molecules.
DOI: 10.3390/molecules17067232 - “Oral Astragalus Root Supplementation for Mild to Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease: A Self-Controlled Case-Series” by Tetsuhiro Yoshino, Yuko Horiba, Masaru Mimura and Kenji Watanabe, 1 March 2022, Frontiers in Pharmacology.
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.775798 - “Neuroprotection and anxiety like behavior reduction of Allium hirtifolium and Astragalus hamosus in the Aβ-injected rat” by Z. Bahaeddin, A. Yans, F. Khodagholi and S. Sahranavard, October 2016, Research Journal of Pharmacognosy.
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/astragalus
