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 |