At the Budwig Center, we are passionate about health and believe that many chronic diseases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet and by eating the right foods.
A fundamental part of healthy living is preparing meals with whole food ingredients while avoiding processed foods. It is also important to incorporate some of the earth’s amazing superfoods into our diet.
There are many superfoods that have the ability to strengthen the immune system and, in some cases, fight off a host of diseases.
One outstanding example of this is the herb Astragalus.
Although relatively unknown in the West, Astragalus root or Astragalus Membranaceus has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, and to great effect.
When a person suffers from any disease there is usually not just one cause. Very often diseases are triggered by an overload of toxins in our system, a compromised immune system as well as some kind of nutritional deficiency. This internal environment allows the disease to propagate easily.
Astragalus is extremely potent and when consumed on a regular basis, has the power not only to strengthen our immune responses but also to protect and repair any existing DNA damage we may have.
Why Is Astragalus so Effective?
Astragalus has been extensively researched since the early 1980’s. Results have shown that it increases the number of fighter T-Cells, leukocytes, and interferon in the blood, all of which help to inhibit foreign substances and disease.1
Following the example of Dr. Budwig herself, at the Budwig Center, selected herbs are used in the program we provide. With the help of the Vega test and GSR scan, we determine which herbal supplements will be the most effective in each individual case. Since Astragalus has also been shown to boost the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments in cancer patients, it is high on our list of herbal remedies.
In China, it is known as Huang Qi. It is one of the main herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine and is commonly used in the fight against Hepatitis.
Recent research has suggested that Astragalus root is also able to activate a key enzyme called Telomerase which promotes the production of Telomeres.2
Telomeres are attached to the end of our DNA chromosomes and help keep the DNA together during the replication process. In simple terms, they act like the plastic end caps of a shoelace, preventing the lace from fraying and becoming damaged.
As Telomere degradation is related to eventual cell death and the onset of chronic disease, it is vital that they are protected to prevent premature aging and increase robust health and longevity.
Although there are a number of active chemical components at work, researchers believe that the main key constituents are polysaccharides and saponins. It is these two phytochemicals that provide us with the greatest number of health benefits.]
Health Benefits of Astragalus Root
In addition to the above, there are many other reasons for taking Astragalus. These include but are not limited to:
- Reduces metastatic spread increasing survival rates
- Helps with heart disease3 and high blood pressure
- Reduces inflammation
- Aids digestion
- Improves liver function
- Enhances immune function4
- Minimizes the side-effects of Chemotherapy
- Can be used as a general tonic
- Treats burns and abscesses
- Fends off common colds
- Helps with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Prevents Respiratory infections
- Helps in cases of anemia
Who Should Take It?
Most people would benefit from daily consumption of Astragalus. However, to err on the side of caution, very few supplements, including Astragalus, should be taken by pregnant or nursing mothers.
In order to determine whether Astragalus would be effective in each individual case, here at the Budwig Center, every time we perform a Vega test and GSR scan, we test the body’s response to Astragalus.
Where Can I Purchase Astragalus?
Although Astragalus can be found in a number of health stores, many versions that are sold are not always of a high quality and in some cases provide few benefits.
For information on where to purchase high quality Astragalus, please contact:
Sources and Research
1 – Hou, Y., et al, Interferon induction and lymphocyte transformation stimulated by Astragalus membranaceus in mouse spleen cell cultures, Zhonghua Weisheng Wuxue Hemian Yixue Zazhi1981;1(2):137-9
2 – Bernardes de Jesus, Bruno, et. al – The telomerase activator TA-65 elongates short telomeres and increases health span of adult/old mice without increasing cancer incidence. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1474-9726.2011.00700.x/abstract
3 – Clinical observation on the treatment of ischemic heart disease with Astragalus membranaceus – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7787395?dopt=Abstract
4 – Effect of astragalus injection on immune function in patients with congestive heart failure – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12800417?dopt=Abstract
Is it save to take AHCC and Beta Glucan together? Thank you
Dear Alexander,
Yes, it is ok to take more than 1 different remedy at once. We usually give our patients 4 or 5 different remedies. The idea though is whether or not it will be effective in your body. To know this as well as how much to take and for how long, ideally you would get someone to test you with kinesiology or another method like our Vega test and GSR scan: https://budwigcenter.com/portfolio-items/test-vega/
Kind regards,
Kathy Jenkins
Is it safe to take a astragalus and AHCC? What about safety of taking Lingzhi with ginseng together with Ahcc?
Dear Michelle, medicinal mushrooms are very beneficial and recommended. We use extracts of these in their organic form and are very please with them. We do however recommend testing every 30 days or so to see which ones the body needs and not overload the body. We use the Vega test and GSR scan as you can read about here: https://budwigcenter.com/gsr-vega-body-scan/ If you can use a kinesiologist or similar testing system to personalize the natural remedies you will be taking, this is safer.
Would my grandmother benefit from this? She is recovering from pancreatitis and I am considering sending her some Astragalus to help her recover.
Dear Stefano, astragalus is certainly good for the immune system and fighting virus. Not sure if your grandmother would benefit from it at this moment. Do you have a kinesiologist that can test it for her? We use the testing system: Vega & GSR to make recommendations when it comes to natural remedies. Here is a link to read about how this works: https://budwigcenter.com/gsr-vega-body-scan/ if you’d like to ask more personalized questions on how we can help you, please feel free to email us directly: [email protected]