Astralagus

This large genus of about 2,000 species of annuals, perennials, and shrubs is distributed throughout northern temperate zones. Several species are used for food and fodder crops and as a source of gel-forming substances. Some accumulate minerals, and are used as indicators in prospecting. Those toxic to livestock are known as "locoweeds". About 100 species are cultivated for their colorful spikes of flowers. Milk vetches are used both medicinally and a food and fodder crops in many parts of the world. Gum tragacanth is collected from at least 20 species, mainly A. gummifer, which has been the principal source since ancient Greek times. The roots of A. membranaceus provide traditional Chinese medicine with a tonic on par with ginseng. Astralagus membranaceus var. mongholicus is used interchangeably. It is similar in appearance but prefers damper habitats. Also important in Chinese medicine is A. complanatus (sha yuan), which has been used in China as liver and kidney tonic since the 12th century.

One of the premier herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, astralagus was used as far back as the first century BCE. Some studies have shown that astralagus helps boost the immune system and may also keep malignant cancer cells from spreading to healthy tissue. For these reasons astralagus is used by some cancer patients, especially when undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.

Low evergreen or semi-evergreen, umbrella-shaped shrub, with spiny-stalked, pinnate leaves, divided into 4-7 pairs of elliptic leaflets, to 1cm (½in) long. Small, downy, white pea flowers are produced in the axils in summer.


Common Name:
Astralagus
Other Names:
Huang Qi, Tragacanth, Beg Kei, Membranous Milk Vetch, Gum tragacanth
Botanical Name:
Astralagus gummifer
Genus:
Astralagus
Family:
Papilionaceae
Native Location:
Middle East (Kurdistan)
Cultivation:
Well-drained soil in sun. Astralagus membranaceus prefers sandy, slightly alkaline soil.
Propagation:
By seed in spring or autumn
Harvest:
Gum is collected from second-year plants of A. gummifer by incising the stem base; it is dried for use as a powder. Roots of A. membranaceus are lifted in autumn and dried for decoctions, powders, and tinctures.
Height:
30cm (12in)
Width:
30cm (12in)
Hardiness:
Z8-10
Parts Used:
Gum, Root
Properties:
A mucilaginous herb that stimulates the immune system and suppresses tumors.
Tarot:
I The Magician
Chemical Composition:
  • Asparagine
  • Astragalosides
  • Calcyosin
  • Formononetin
  • Kumatakenin
  • Sterols
Known Effects:
  • Stimulates and protects the immune system.
  • Produces spontaneous sweating.
Possible Additional Effects:
  • May reduce fatigue/weakness
  • Potential cold and flu treatment
  • May Increase stamina
  • Potential treatment for immune-deficiency problems (AIDS, cancer)
  • May reduce symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
  • May improve appetite
  • May alleviate diarrhea
Medicinal Uses:
To treat depression of the immune system, heart failure, viral infections, respiratory infections, liver disease, and kidney disease.
Typical Dose:
A typical daily dose of astralagus may range from 2 to 6gm of dried root or 4 to 12ml of fluid extract.
Possible Side Effects:
Astralagus's more common side effects, as suggested by animal studies, include respiratory depression and allergic reactions.
Drug Interactions:
Taking astralagus with these drugs may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising:
Abciximab, (ReoPro)
Alteplase, (Activase, Cathflo Activase)
Antithrombin III, (Thrombate III)
Argatroban, (Argatoban)
Aspirin, (Bufferin, Ecotrin)
Aspirin and Dipyridamole, (Aggrenox)
Bivalirudin, (Angiomax)
Clopidogrel, (Plavix)
Dateparin, (Fragmin)
Danaparoid, (Orgaran)
Dipyridimole, (Novo-Dipiradol, Persantine)
Enoxaparin, (Lovenox)
Eptifibatide, (Integrillin)
Fondaparinux, (Arixtra)
Heparin, (Hepalean, Hep-Lock)
Indobufen, (Ibustrin)
Lepirudin, (Refludan)
Nadroparin, (Fraxiparine)
Reteplase, (Retavase)
Streptokinase, (Streptase)
Tenecteplase, (TNKase)
Ticlopidine, (Alti-Ticlopidine, Ticlid)
Tinzaparin, (Innohep)
Tirofiban, (Aggrastat)
Urokinase, (Abbokinase)
Warfarin, (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Taking Astralagus with these drugs may reduce the drug's immunosuppressive effects:
Antithymocyte Globulin, Equine, (Atgam)
Antithymocyte Globulin, Rabbit, (Thymoglobulin)
Azathioprine, (Imuran)
Basiliximab, (Simulect)
Beclomethasone, (Beconase, Vanceril)
Betamethasone, (Betatrex, Maxivate)
Budesonide, (Entocort, Rhinocort)
Budesonide and Formoterol, (Symbicort)
Cortisone, (Cortone)
Cyclophosphamide, (Cytoxan, Neosar)
Cyclosporine, (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Daclizumab, (Zenapax)
Deflazacort, (Calcort, Dezacor)
Dexamethasone, (Decadron, Dexasone)
Efalizumab, (Raptiva)
Flunisolide, (AeroBid, Nasarel)
Fluoromethalone, (Eflone, Flarex)
Fluticason, (Cutivate, Flonase)
Hydrocortisone, (Cetacort, Locoid)
Loteprednol, (Alrex, Lotemax)
Medrysone, (HMS Liquifilm)
Methotrexate, (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
Methylprednisolone, (Depo-Medrol, Medrol)
Muromonab-CD3, (Orthoclone OKT3)
Mycophenolate, (CellCept)
Pimecrolimus, (Elidel)
Prednisolone, (Inflamase Forte, Pred Forte)
Prednisone, (Apo-Prednisone, Deltasone)
Rimexolone, (Vexol)
Spirolimus, (Rapamune)
Tacrolimus, (Prograf, Protopic)
Thalidomide, (Thalomid)
Triamcinolone, (Aristocort, Trinasal)
Taking astralagus with this drug may increase the drug's tumor cell-killing ability and decrease the drug's side effects:
Aldesleukin, (Proleukin)
Warnings and Precautions:
Don't take if you are:
  • Pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan pregnancy in the near future
  • Currently Feverish
Consult your doctor if you:
  • Take this herb for any medical problem that doesn't improve in 2 weeks. (There may be safer, more effective treatments.)
  • Take any medicinal drugs or herbs including aspirin, laxatives, cold and cough remedies, antacids, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, supplements, other prescription or non-prescription drugs.
Pregnancy:
Use only on the advice of your physician.
Breastfeeding:
Use only on the advice of your physician.
Infants and Children:
Treating infants and children under 2 with any herbal preparation is hazardous.
Storage:
  • Store in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight, but don't freeze.
  • Store safely out of reach of children.
  • Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change the action of the herb.
Safe Dosage:
Consult your doctor for the appropriate dose for your condition.
Lab Test Alterations:
May increase sperm mobility in vitro and alter results of semen specimen analysis.
Disease Interactions:
  • May worsen autoimmune diseases by increasing the activity of the immune system.
  • May interfere with the body's ability to accept transplanted tissues by hampering immunosuppressive medicines.
Economic Uses:
Used as a stabalizing and thickening agent in the food and pharmaceutical industries, in products such as salad dressings, ice creams, desserts, sauces, processed cheese, candy and toothpaste.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited Pp 136-137
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD pp.53-55
The Herbal Tarot by Michael Tierra, Herbalist and Candis Cantin, Artist Copyright©1988 U.S. Games Systems Inc. Card I
Vitamins, Herbs, Minerals & Supplements The Complete Guide Revised Edition by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. Copyright©:1998 Fisher Books. pg.187