A-Z herbal remedy Articles

What is Astragalus?

Astragalus is one of the most widely used herbs in Asian medicine. It was first mentioned in Chinese medical texts from 2000 years ago. The root of the this plant is extensively studied in Asia. It is most well known for its effect on the immune system. It increases the activity of immune cells, resulting in more efficient responses to infection and reversing states of immune suppression. But that's only part of what it can do. Read on to learn more about this beneficial root, including how to find it in its most potent supplement form.

Top Astragalus Health Benefits

In contrast to the immune-boosting properties of some herbs, Astragalus can be taken for extended periods (several months) without showing a decrease in the immune system's response.

Astragalus for Stress

Try taking Astragalus when you feel stressed. This powerful herb is an adaptogen, which can help regulate your body in times of stress by providing a boost in energy without the jittery effects associated with caffeine. When most people think of stress, they often feel burned out and have diminished energy. However, stress can impact your body in many ways, including your immune system. Your immune system comprises a network of cells, tissues and organs that work together to protect you from infections and other health problems. When your immune system detects an intruder in your body, it sends lymphocytes to fight off the threat.

Antiviral and Immune Health Benefits

Astragalus has antiviral properties and supports a healthy immune response. It also helps to promote a healthy stress response and helps improve your resilience. This process stimulates the production of natural hormones, white blood cells, and other substances that help regulate your immune response. It contains saponins, which improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation. It has also been shown to support your body's ability to heal.

In addition to its benefits for the cold season, Astragalus helps reduce seasonal allergy symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, congestion and itchy eyes.

Cardiovascular System Benefits

It positively affects the cardiovascular system by protecting the heart from viral infections that damage heart tissue. Astragalus also improves shortness of breath and cardiac output in patients with congestive heart failure.

Anti-Aging Benefits

Cycloastragenols and astragalosides are constituents of the astragalus root that have been implicated in activating telomerase. A telomere is a region of repetitive DNA at the end of a chromosome; it protects the end from deterioration and allows cells to divide (which inevitably means shortening) without losing genetic material. Telomerase is an enzyme that initiates telomere synthesis and can add to the end of the telomere, ensuring that it does not wear down too much or too fast. Astragalosides have been shown to increase this enzyme production. Not only does this mean that Astragalus prevents depletion, but it may be capable of supporting a certain amount of telomere rebuilding. This makes up for what has been lost through the natural process of aging and DNA replication, which has numerous implications regarding anti-aging abilities.

Astragalus Supplements

The herb is often found in Chinese patent formulas mixed with other herbs, such as licorice and ginseng. These formulas are specially formulated to increase the power of single herbs by combining them with other synergistic herbs.

It is often available as a dried root, tincture or solid extract. Clinical doses range from 250 milligrams to more than 1 gram per day, depending on the herb's format.

• Dried root: 9-15 grams daily
• Tincture: 6-18 millilitres daily.
• Powdered solid extract: 750-1500 milligrams daily.

Remember that clinical doses may be higher if you work with a practitioner.

You can safely take Astragalus for up to four months.

Important Information

Astragalus can generally be tolerated well by most people, with few side effects noted.

The Asian philosophy believes that the herb can boost the strength of the infecting organism and the patient. It should not be used when an individual has a fever. More research is needed about the use of this herb in HIV patients.

Because it has not been studied in pregnant or breastfeeding women, its use is not recommended.

Astragalus FAQs

What is Astragalus?

Astragalus is a root used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It effectively increases the body's ability to deal with stress and supports healthy immune function.

How Does Astragalus Work?

Astragalus can help boost your immune system by stimulating white blood cell production, which helps fight off infections and diseases. Studies suggest it can improve lung function and help with hypertension or high cholesterol.

What Does Astragalus Root Do?

Astragalus is a perennial plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It has many benefits for the immune system and is an anti-inflammatory agent.

How Much Astragalus Should I Use?

The amount of herb used depends on the format. Refer to the list above to determine the optimal dose.

Where Can I Buy Astragalus Supplements?

Most health food stores carry a good selection of astragalus supplements.

Scientifically known as Centaurea benedicta, Blessed thistle or St. Benedict's thistle, is a plant in the Asteraceae family, native to the Mediterranean region, from Portugal north to southern France and east to Iran.

Medicinal Uses For Blessed Thistle

Blessed thistle contains chemicals called tannins, which might help with diarrhea, cough, and swelling. People use this herb for indigestion, infections, wounds, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Increase Milk Supply For Nursing Mothers

This herb is primarily used to increase the milk supply of nursing mothers. It is believed to do this by acting on the brain to stimulate the release of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production.

Soothe Indigestion

It also acts as a digestive bitter. Blessed thistle is a bitter herb, which, when chewed, increases saliva which can then also cause the release of digestive juices in your stomach which support proper digestion of your meals. Therefore it is used for stimulating the appetite and soothing indigestion.

Blessed Thistle Supplement Varieties

Most of these supplements are made as encapsulated dried herb, a tincture of the same plant parts or loose dried herb. In order to help with digestion, bitter herbs must be tasted, like when you take in a tincture or tea. Encapsulated herbs are swallowed, thus bypassing the taste buds, and will not stimulate digestion.

Cautions & Considerations

This supplement should be used according to labelling dosage and directions. Since Blessed thistle belongs to the ragweed plant family, it should not be used by anyone who is allergic to ragweed.

Looking to spice up your life and increase your libido? Herbs may be able to help. Damiana is a wild shrub that grows in Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies. The leaf and stem are used to make medicine. It is known for its ability to increase circulation to genital and abdominal areas and is often used as an aphrodisiac and energy tonic. It also helps with conditions brought on by low levels of sex hormones.

Key Health Benefits of Damiana

Because the leaves in this plant contain flavonoids such as pinocembrin and acacetin, this herb possesses aphrodisiac properties, especially for women. The estrogenic and anti-aromatase activity of this plant contributes to the increase of sexual excitation. However, this plant offers many other health benefits, including:

• Headache Support
• Bedwetting
• Mood Booster 
• Settles Nervous Stomach, and Constipation
• Prevention and Support for Sexual Problems
• Boosting Mental & Physical stamina
• Aphrodisiac Properties

When Is Damiana Recommended?

Natural health practitioners may recommend this herb for low libido from all causes including menopause, exhaustion and stress, and for male impotence due to age or fatigue for urinary health support or for those who get headaches often. 

Shopping For Damiana Supplement Varieties

As a supplement, it can be purchased as a raw herb, encapsulated herb, tincture or fluid extract. Combination products for sexual enhancement, especially for females, may contain damiana.

When shopping for herbal supplements, make sure you're choosing a brand that uses pure and potent ingredients that are GMO free, organic and wild harvested when possible, especially when opting for tincture, liquid or dried herb formats.

Final Considerations & Potential Side Effects

Damiana binds with iron and stops the absorption of it in the intestines. Take iron supplements away from taking this herb. This herb also alters hormone levels and should not be used in pregnancy or when breastfeeding. 

Devil’s claw is native to Southern Africa and gets its name from the woody barbed fruit that it bears. It has been used as a tea by indigenous people for digestive and rheumatic complaints.

Key Health Benefits of Devil's Claw

Devil’s claw is used for digestive disorders because it stimulates the contraction of the gallbladder and pancreas. Bile, released from the gallbladder, helps the body to digest fats. Pancreatic juices help the body to digest protein and regulate blood sugar. This herb may be useful for stabilizing diabetes and addressing other digestive concerns.

The most well known use for devil's claw is as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) agent. It has been shown to improve joint mobility and reduce the pain and swelling associated with arthritis. This herb is recommended by natural health practitioners for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, muscle injury, joint injury and other inflammatory conditions.

Uncovering Devil's Claw Supplement Varieties

As a supplement, this herb can be used as an encapsulated herb, dried herb, tincture or liquid extract. Better quality supplements are standardized which is an assurance that the product contains devil’s claw and has some active properties. To help with digestion, bitter herbs must be tasted, like when you take in a tincture or tea. Encapsulated herbs are swallowed, thus bypassing the taste buds, and will not stimulate digestion. This nutrient is also found as a component of pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory formulas.

Final Insights When Considering Herbal Supplements

Devil’s claw contains substances that decrease your blood clotting ability therefore those with active bleeding, or those who use blood thinners, aspirin or NSAIDs should use caution. For the same reason, stop using this supplement 2 weeks before surgery or dental procedures. Do not use this herb during pregnancy and while nursing. This nutrient may alter the effectiveness of some heart medications and it may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, in some individuals, because it causes the release of stomach acid.

Elecampane, also called horse-heal or elfdock, is a widespread plant species in the sunflower family Asteraceae. It is native to Eurasia from Spain to Xinjiang province in western China and naturalized in parts of North America. The root of this herb has long been used for its medicinal properties. 

Key Health Benefits of Elecampane

Cough Support

Elecampane's anti-tussive properties are what makes it effective in decreasing coughs. It also possesses expectorant properties which can help loosen phlegm and mucus. It can be used for those nasty, lingering coughs and colds that make you feel unwell for weeks. It can be used for chronic coughs too, like those that are due to smoking or asthma.

Lung Support

This is a great herb for lung support which can be taken to support asthma, bronchitis and intense coughs, meaning that it supports the normal functioning of the respiratory tract. 

Parasite Control

Another less well-known use for this herb is as a treatment for parasite infections, although there is not much information on exactly how elecampane is beneficial in this case.

Elecampane Supplement Varieties: Potency, Forms & Formats

Elecampane can be purchased as a dried herb, encapsulated herb, liquid extract or tincture. It is found in formulas for coughs, asthma and lung cleansing.

Potential Side Effects

Skin contact with this herb may cause contact dermatitis. Elecampane is possibly safe for most adults when taken by mouth in usual medicinal amounts, but is possibly unsafe when taken in large amounts. Large amounts of elecampane can cause vomiting, diarrhea, spasms, and paralysis.

Kudzu is a natural herb called Pueraria lobata is indigenous to Japan. It is part of the pea family. You will find its vines and beautiful purple flowers growing against buildings and climbing trellises. It grows wild and can take over large areas so is known as an invasive weed. Also known as Japanese arrowroot, this exciting herb grows naturally in Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.

It was brought to America in the mid-1800s and now grows naturally in the Southeastern United States.

Understanding How Kudzu Is Used Medicinally

In Western Herbal medicine and  Traditional Chinese and Asian medicines three portions of the herb Kudzu are commonly used – the root, leaf and the flower – for different purposes as they differ in chemical properties.

The root of Kudzu was traditionally used in Chinese medicine to prevent too much consumption of alcohol (alcoholism) and in cases when this was unsuccessful the flower of the plant was used to treat the symptoms associated with too much alcohol consumption. It was commonly known amongst Traditional Chinese medical practitioners that only the flower of the plant was appropriate for the treatment of hangovers as it was later confirmed in scientific studies the root has chemical properties that inhibit aldehyde dehydrogenase thereby increasing acetaldehyde in the body.

There are chemical properties in Kudzu that can help with symptoms of menopause called Isoflavones similarly found in Soy. They act like a weak estrogen thereby alleviating symptoms such as heart palpitations, hot sweats, and mood changes.

For cardiovascular conditions such as blood clots, stroke, arrhythmias and high blood pressure Kudzu`s Isoflavones content and other constituents such as puerarin also help with these conditions.

Top Health Benefits of Kudzu

Kudzu has been used by Chinese and Asian cultures for thousands of years for immune and liver conditions resulting in symptoms of "excess heat", tinnitus and vertigo. It has also historically been used to treat migraines and headaches and for the treatment of diarrhea. Other conditions indicated to use Kudzu are: cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure, angina and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat); common upper respiratory infections such as the common cold, flu, swine flu and sinus infections; to lower blood sugar in Diabetes; and to reduce menopausal symptoms.

In China, one of the active ingredients in Kudzu called puerarin is used in intravenous form to treat and prevent the formation of blood clots and to treat stroke victims.

One of the most interesting aspects of this special herb is that it is exceptionally useful for treating symptoms associated with too much alcohol consumption. Symptoms such as headaches, nausea, bowel disruption, vomiting, and light and sound sensitivity associated with hangovers are miraculously ameliorated with this wonderful herb. It is also used to treat alcoholism.

Kudzu Supplement Varieties

Kudzu can be found in powder form, capsule or liquid. Duration of use and dosage is dependent on the condition you are treating and the weight of the person.

Tips For Using These Supplements

1. The root in powder form mixed with warm water in a tea is used to treat digestive upset and diarrhea.
2. The root is used for treating alcoholism.
3. The flowers are used to treat the symptoms of excess use of alcohol.
4. A combination of aerial parts of the herb and the root is used for menopause, tinnitus, headaches, migraines, cluster headaches, cardiovascular conditions, blood sugar conditions, and respiratory infections.

Marshmallow’s familiar slippery, smooth texture has many medicinal purposes, in addition to its role in baking and treat making. It is a demulcent, agent that coats and protects mucosal surfaces. The active components in marshmallows are large carbohydrate molecules that form marshmallow’s characteristic texture when mixed with fluid.

Top Health Benefits of Marshmallow

In the respiratory tract, this herb decreases coughs, speeds the removal of mucus and helps to heal the tract. In the stomach and intestines, mallow protects the lining from ulceration. Marshmallow also soothes the urinary tract and helps the skin to heal. Natural health practitioners recommend this herb for a variety of needs including sore throat, colds, coughs, bladder infections, digestive ulcers, burns, and wounds.

Marshmallow Supplement Varieties

This herb can be found in a variety of different forms. Dried root, powdered root, and encapsulated root are available. It is often used as a tea or drink. Topically it can be mixed with water and applied directly to the skin or onto a poultice. This herb is found in formulas for cold or cough relief, urinary tract health, and ulcers. Commercial preparations contain this herb for the texture, and large quantities of sugar, for the taste. Plain marshmallow root is not sweet tasting, as you might expect it to be.

Side Effects & Important Considerations

Marshmallows may alter blood sugar levels by reducing the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestine. Therefore diabetics, hypoglycemic individuals and people using medication to regulate sugar levels should use marshmallow root with caution. This herb may also inhibit the absorption of other medications or supplements if they are taken at the same time.