NEWSLETTER FOR NOVEMBER THROUGH JANUARY
HEALTH BENEFITS OF ASTRAGALUS
Astragalus is an herb commonly used in Chinese and Asian cultures. It is native to China, Mongolia and North Korea. Astragalus grows in grassy regions and on mountainsides. The plants are generally harvested after four or five years. The roots are dried and processed into powders and liquids making them available to be taken as a tea or supplementally in capsule, tablet or tincture form.
The root of the astragalus plant is used in traditional Chinese medicine to increase stamina and strength. It is also taken to strengthen the immune system. Additionally, it is used to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. The benefits of astragalus are attributed to its content of polysaccharides and triterpenoid saponin compounds.
Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made of long chains of simple sugars called monosaccharides. They serve as energy storage and structural components in living organisms. They are an important source of energy. Triterpenoid saponin compounds are made of both sugar and non-sugar components. Triterpenoid saponins are part of a plant's defense system. They help to protect plants from harmful microorganisms. In humans, they have been shown to be anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and act as antioxidants.
In studies, astragalus has been shown to decrease fatigue in athletes and cancer patients, reduce diabetic ketoacidosis (a condition where the blood becomes acidic) and help with kidney function. Studies have shown astragalus to improve clinical outcomes in liver cancer patients and the quality of life in patients with advanced and metastatic cancers of various types.
Astragalus has been studied for its ability to reduce blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. A 2024 study indicated that taking astragalus with metformin (a diabetes medication) reduced fasting blood glucose levels and hemoglobin A1C more than metformin alone.
A 2024 clinical trial involved patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease who also had orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure when standing up). Study participants either received standard care or standard care with an add-on of 10 milligrams of an astragalus supplement.
Administrators of this study saw enough improvement in the astragalus group to suggest that astragalus can improve cognition in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease complicated with orthostatic hypotension. In vitro (test tube) and animal studies have been conducted that have supported the use of astragalus for memory impairment.
Astragalus is available at Milk 'N Honey
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