* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description:Astragalus membranaceus is a perennial herb of up to 0.4 m tall. It has pinnately compound leaves and 10 to 15 yellowish flowers arranged in short, oblong clusters. The closely related A. mongholicus (sometimes called A. membranaceus var. mongholicus) is a slightly taller plant with smaller flowers and is also used commercially The roots are fibrous and yellowish brown.
Origin: China, Korea, Mongolia and Siberia (both species). They are cultivated in China and Korea.
Parts Used: Dried roots (Astragali radix) or extracts thereof.
Therapeutic Category: Traditional tonic (adaptogen), immune stimulant.
Uses and Properties: This is one of the most important tonic herbs in traditional and modem Chinese medicine. It stimulates the immune system and is therefore thought to be valuable in decreasing the duration and severity of the common cold, as well as recurrent infections, slow healing wounds and general debility (see similarity with Sutherlandia) . Astragalus is also used to treat diabetes and kidney disorders.
Active Ingredients: Numerous triterpene saponins (astragalosides I-X, isoastragalosides I-IV, soyasaponin I) occur in the roots, together with polysaccharides (astragalan, astraglucan AMem-P) and isoflavones (calycosin, formononetin).
Pharmacologocial Effects: Pronounced immunostimulant and possible antimutagenic effects have been reported. Studies on antiviral activity showed the involvement, amongst others, of interferon induction. None of the traditional uses are supported by clinical trials, although several human studies have been conducted. Furthermore, the drug shows liver protectant, hypotensive and diuretic properties. The medicinal activities have not yet been directly linked to any particular chemical compounds.
Notes:A. microcephalus from Asia Minor, Syria and Iran is the main commercial source of tragant or gum tragant, an important hydrophilic and colloidal agent used in pharmaceuticalproducts, creams and jellies. Gum tragant has also been tapped from Astracantha gummifera (previously known as Astragalus gummifer) and other species.
Status: Traditional medicine; WHO 1.
Preparation and Dosage: Crude plant material and hot or cold aqueous extracts are taken orally, in doses of 9-30 g of dry root per day.
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Directions
As an herbal dietary supplement, take 2 capsules 2 to 3 times daily, preferably with meals.
It is not recommended for use during acute, feverish conditions.
Additional Information
NOW Foods is proud to announce the receipt of the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification from the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA). The NNFA GMP Certification Program is designed to verify compliance of member suppliers of dietary supplements with a standardized set of good manufacturing practices (GMPs) developed by NNFA. This program is based upon third party inspections of member suppliers and comprehensive audits of their GMP programs in the areas of Personnel, Plant and Grounds, Sanitation, Equipment, Quality Operations, Production and Process Controls, Warehouse, Distribution, and Post-Distribution Practices. This program ensures that all elements of the manufacturing process are reviewed to provide reasonable assurance that processes are sufficiently controlled so that products meet their purported quality.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
