Western and Chinese herbalism
Milk Vetch Root
Astragalus membranaceus
Also known as Huang Qi, Astragalus, mì zhì huáng qí, zhì huáng qí.
Slightly warming Stimulates bone marrow production of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets Increases phagocytosis, pituitary-adrenal cortical activity, red blood cell formation, production of interferon, immunoglobulins and macrophages Enhances cytotoxicity of NK cells and T-cells Astragalus polysaccharides potentiate the immune mediated anti-tumor activity of IL-2 providing anti-neoplastic activity Enhances tolerance to stress and decreases fatigue Increases mitochondrial function w/o increasing the mitochondrial oxygen consumption Saponins inhibit lipid peroxidation in the myocardium Increases cardiac output Strengthens left ventricular function and reduces free radical damage in patients...
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Infertility (male)
- Renal failure
- Lupus nephritis
- Angina pectoris
- Ischemic heart disease
- Post myocardial infarction
- Oxidative damage
- Infection prophylaxis
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Hypertension
- Nephropathy (IgA)
- Immunodeficiency (chronic)
- Epstein-barr virus
- Hepatitis (chronic)
- Chemotherapeutic/radiation adjunct
- Congestive heart failure
- Glomerulonephritis
- HIV/AIDS
- Burnout
- Cardiac weakness
- Heart failure
- Immunodeficiency
- Liver disease
- Recurrent infections
- Viral infections
- Heart weakness
- Cardiac insufficiency
- Infection
- Frequent colds
Safety
Pregnancy: Limited safety data in pregnancy
The record lists 3 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tincture (1:2-1:3) | 2-5 ml BID-TID | 2-5 mL |
| Decoction | 1 Tbs/c water BID-TID | |
| Bulk herb (decocted) | 10-60 g/d | 10000-60000 mg |
| Decoction: 9-30g dried root/day (TCM) | 9000-30000 mg | |
| Powder/extract: 2-4.8g dried root equivalent/day | 2000-4800 mg | |
| Tincture: 1:5, 20-30 drops (1-2ml) 2-3x/day | 0.4-0.6 mL |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Clinical Notes. Slightly warming Stimulates bone marrow production of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets Increases phagocytosis, pituitary-adrenal cortical activity, red blood cell formation, production of interferon, immunoglobulins and macrophages Enhances cytotoxicity of NK cells and T-cells Astragalus polysaccharides potentiate the immune mediated anti-tumor activity of IL-2 providing anti-neoplastic activity Enhances tolerance to stress and decreases fatigue Increases mitochondrial function w/o increasing the mitochondrial oxygen consumption Saponins inhibit lipid peroxidation in the myocardium Increases cardiac output Strengthens left ventricular function and reduces free radical damage in patients...
Clinical Notes. Tonifies Spleen Qi and Lung Qi in TCM Used as prophylactic for colds rather than during acute infections Key herb in formulas like Yu Ping Feng San Adaptogenic with deep immune tonifying effects
primary_action. Astragalus is chiefly an immune-enhancing immunomodulator, increasing natural killer cell and cytotoxic T-cell activity, interferon and interleukin-2 production, and overall phagocytic activity; the polysaccharide fraction is regarded as the main immune-active component.
primary_action. Astragalus is a qi-tonifying adaptogen (huang qi, 'yellow leader') traditionally used to strengthen the body's defensive energy (wei qi), tone the spleen and lung, build stamina, and counter fatigue and general debility.
In formulas
Milk Vetch Root stands in 252 documented formulas in the library, among them zài zào sǎn, yǎng zhêng tông yòu tāng, ging xin lián zi yin, rên shèn huáng qí sắn, dàng gui liu huáng tàng, shí wèi xiāng rú yn.
Often paired with
Licorice rootGlycyrrhiza glabra
GinsengPanax ginseng
Dong QuaiAngelica sinensis
Bai ZhuAtractylodes macrocephala
White PeonyPaeonia lactiflora
PoriaWolfiporia extensaNearby on the shelf
Mediterranean CypressCupressus sempervirens
MelonCucumis melo
MezereumMezereum
Milk thistleSilybum marianum
MilkweedAsclepias Cornuti
Mojave yuccaYucca schidigera
Monesia barkMonesiaThe whole plate is in the library. The compass, Compare, the Sky of eleven hundred plants and the formulary open with an email address and a password, free, with the formula builder and its safety engine. Herbert without limit, his formulating, clients, the handouts and the labels are the paid room.
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