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1. Astragalus Root
(Astragalus membranaceus)
(Astragalus membranaceus)
ASTRAGALUS ROOT | ALCOHOL-FREE by GAIA HERBS, GAIA FOR KIDS
∎ strong anti-viral to protect from getting colds and influenza
∎ stimulates the body's natural healing system, prevents internal diseases
∎ increases appetite, which helps persons lacking the desire to eat (with anorexia)
∎ increases blood cells from bone marrow
∎ increases the metabolism (animal research)
∎ reduces protein in the urine (animal research)
∎ used to prevent pulmonary tract infection in children
∎ used to prevent asthma and cough
Known as a Broad Spectrum: Anti-Bacterial/Anti-Viral
∎ broad spectrum use anti-viral/anti-bacterial (a natural anti-biotic1 against several deadly bacteria strains)
∎ immunostimulant (increases the body ability to heal and repair naturally)
∎ hematopoietic (increases the number of red blood cells released from bone)
∎ metabolic (increases the metabolism)
∎ increases the renal output of protein (releases protein via urine - important in kidney disease)
∎ decreases blood pressure* (dilation of peripheral blood vessels; lowers blood pressure)
∎ hepatoprotective (protects the liver from chemical damage and toxicity)
∎ inhibits oxidative stress (protects the cells from free-radicals damage - important in heart disease)
Cautions and Considerations:
- Astragalus has been tested to prevent asthma, cough, and cold. TCM does not advise patients to take this herb after a cold or cough is apparent.
- When a patient displays a consistent amount of the emotion of anger, it is not advised to take Astragalus. In TCM this herb is used to promote qi movement. The emotion of anger is considered a complication due to its stagnating character. See your licensed acupuncture practitioner to first clear this condition before using this herb.
Research Findings:
- Modern research has shown that Astragalus Root is proven to improve health in the following conditions with a very low toxicity:
- common cold, influenza2, pulmonary tract infection, upper respiratory infection, rhinitis, cough, asthma, peptic ulcer, gastric prolapse, rectal prolapse, hepatitis, immune disorder3, reversal of immune suppression, leukopenia, nephritis, psoriasis, Takayasu’s disease, prostatic hypertrophy, copper-induced poisioning
- Prevention of common colds and influenza: In one study, 540 patients with past histories of frequent common colds and influenza were divided into two groups and received preventative treatment with Astragalus. One group received 5 grams of Astragalus in pills three times daily, and the other group received 15 grams of Astragalus in decoction every other day. All patients had two courses of 10 days treatment, with 5 days of rest in between courses. The study reported that patients in both groups had similar results. Both had almost 3 times lower risk of infection, and a shortened duration of infection.
- Immuno-stimulant: Subcutaneous injection of Astragalus increases white blood cells and multinuclear leukocytes in mice. In addition, administration of Astragalus is associated with an enhanced production of IgM in mice. 1,2
- Anorexia Nervosa: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) this herb will help to promote a normal appetite when nausea and the lack of desire to eat is apparent.
- Hematopioetic: Astragalus has been shown to increase the production and maturity of blood cells from the bone marrow. 3
- Pulmonary Tract Infection Preventative: 2ml of Astragalus solution given daily, showed 94% effectiveness in prevention of respiratory tract infection in 100 children.
- Asthma and Cough: A Astragalus preparation was injected (equivalent to 1 gram of dried herb) into a acu-point near the knee (ST36), bilaterally twice weekly for three months per course of treatment, for a total of 3 to 4 courses of treatment, with 2 weeks of rest between each course. Out of 41 patients in the study, there was a significant improvement in over 85% of the patients. Even a moderate improvement was made in over 56%. Furthermore, most patients noticed an increase in appetite and energy, improvement in quality of sleep and fewer episodes of infection.
OTHER NAMES
Radix Astragali, Astragalus membranaceus Bge. var. monoholicus (Dge.) Hsiao (Meng Gu Huang Qi); Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch) Bge. (Mo Jiao Huang Qi), astragalus, Mongolian milkvetch root, membranous milkvetch root
REFERENCE(S):
- Bacillus dysenteriae (dysentery), Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), β-hemolytic-strepocuccus (strep), Corynebacterium diptheriae (diphtheria), Diplococcus pneumoniae (bacterial pneumonia), Staphylococcus aureus (“flesh-eating” staph, also known as M.R.S.A, methicillicin resistant staphylococcus aureus)
- Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen, Art of Medicine Press, 2004
- Shan Xi Yi Xiao Za Zhi (Shanxi Journal of Medicine and Herbology), 1974; 5-6:57
- Biol Phar Bull, 1977; 1178-82
- Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, J. Chen, T. Chen, 2001
FLOWER CHILD FACT SHEET: Astragalus Root
The Flower Child Productions, Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved. The use of this content may be acquired only with written permission from: The Flower Child, and their Associates. To obtain permission, please email: flowerchildmedia@gmail.com
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2. Arabinogalactan
(Larix occidentalis)
(Larix occidentalis)
ECLECTIC INSTITUTE LARIX 1000MG
For years I have used this amazing constituent for my own health treatment as well as my family. Unlike the herbs echinacea and goldenseal, arabinogalactan has the immuno-modulation power that takes care of a sore throat before it leads into an infection. I have taken it with 4000mg of Calcium Ascorbate (non-acidic vitamin C) per day safely [1]
I had the privilege of finding this herb just when I needed it while attending a full time master’s degree and raising a teenager. The more that I research about it, the more I have grown to appreciate the health benefits of taking this when I get run down, at the onset of a cold or flu, or even in the middle of a viral attack.
Because of this and the other remedies that I have discovered, I have not had to take western medicine prescribed antibiotic strains for over 20 years! I am a big fan of the Eclectic Institute’s, Larix 1000mg. I will have immediate results within 2 days, no side effects of bowel problems (due to the good bacteria getting destroyed from modern antibiotic treatment).
- increased NK cell activity (natural anti-biotic agent)
- decreased viral serum levels, remained decreased (natural anti-viral properties)
- increased macrophage activity (helps with removing bacteria, helps to clean the blood)
- effective against E.coli (anti-bacterial properties)
- increased cytokine activity (natural anti-cancer chemicals)
Research Findings:
- Arabinogalactan has increased effectiveness when used with Calcium Ascorbate (buffered Vitamin C).
- When used in cases with HIV, arabinogalactan showed improvement in the susceptibility of HIV related infections.
- Pediatric Otitis Media, arabinogalactan showed a decrease in the amount and severity of infection.
- WHV (woodchuck hepatitis virus), serum levels decreased and remained decreased for over 41 days.
OTHER NAMES:
Abies gmelinii, AG, Ara-6, Arabinogalactan, Arabinogalactin, Dietary Fiber, Gmelinii, Larch, Larch Gum, Larch Tree, Larix, Larix dahurica, Larix decidua, Larix europaea, Larix gmelinii, Larix occidentalis, Lch, Mongolian Larch, Mongolian Larchwood, Pinus Larix, Soluble Fiber, Stractan, Western Larch, Western Larch Arabinogalactan, Wood Gum, Wood Sugar
SOURCE(S):
- Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy, Springer-Verlag 1993, Mechanism of stimulation of human natural killer cytotoxicity by arabinogalactan from Larix occidentalis, Jochen Hauer and F. Alfred Anderer
- Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, Volume 6, Number 1, Larch Arabinogalactan, Peter D’Adamo, ND
The Flower Child Productions, Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved. The use of this content may be acquired only with written permission from: The Flower Child, and their Associates. To obtain permission, please email: flowerchildmedia@gmail.com
