What is astragalus used for?
Health Benefits of Astragalus:
Astragalus also known as huang qi or milkvetch is an herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries.
Astragalus is rich in antioxidants and has antibacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.
Astragalus is considered an adaptogen which helps protects the body from stress, including mental, physical or emotional stress.
Astragalus may boost your immunity. It is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to prevent and treat colds, influenza and upper respiratory infections.
Astragalus may help treat type 2 diabetes by regulating and lowering blood sugar levels.
Astragalus may also help treat kidney disease. It may also help prevent infections in people with reduced kidney function.
Astragalus may also treat male infertility. Studies have shown that astragalus increases sperm motility. Astragalus also provides support to male hormones by balancing glucose levels, it can optimize testosterone and growth hormone levels.
Astragalus may help improve heart function. Several studies suggest that astragalus may act as an antioxidant and help treat heart disease. Other studies have shown that it may also lower blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels. In another study, patients with heart failure were given 2.25 grams of astragalus twice a day for two weeks along conventional treatment, showed great improvements compared to those who only received standard treatment. Other studies have also shown that astragalus may also reduce the symptoms of myocarditis, an inflammatory condition of the heart.
Astragalus may help alleviate chemotherapy’s negative side effects such as fatigue, lack of appetite or nausea. One study showed that people undergoing chemotherapy who were given astragalus via IV, reduced their nausea by 36%, vomiting by 50% and diarrhea by 59%.
Astragalus may also improve brain health and seasonal allergies. Astragalus also has anti-aging properties, slowing the aging process at a cellular level. Astragalus may also help treat hepatitis.
Astragalus may interact with certain medications. Astragalus may stimulate the immune system which may increase symptoms of autoimmune diseases.
As always consult with your physician.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1471613/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/astragalus-benefits