Astragulus

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purple32
purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
edited June 2014 in Alternative Medicine
Is anyone using this ?
Has anybody heard it is supposed to ' help' with BC?

Thanks for any replies.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    Hi Purple, yup, it's part of my protocol, tons of research on the root

    "it has phenomenal immune system modulating effects. In tests at the Hiroshima School of Medicine in Japan, it was shown to directly increase B-lymphocyte and T-lymphocyte levels, interleukin and antibody production.

    But, not only does it increase the number of various white cells and in particular the ‘hunter' T-cells it also helps identify the viruses, bacteria and other rogue cells. The University of Texas has shown that Astragalus seems to be an adaptogenic herb 'offering up' viruses, bacteria and even cancer cells to be seen by the immune system.

    A considerable amount of detailed German and American research has confirmed the herb's powers, and identified an important potential role in cancer treatment. One extremely important conclusion from several US studies is that Astragalus seems to help the immune system differentiate between healthy cells and rogue cells, thereby boosting the body's total ‘cancer fighting system'. One effect of this is the added benefit of improving the effectiveness of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments.

    In Chinese hospitals Astragalus is now routinely used to help people recover from the negative effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

    MD Anderson Cancer Center (Texas) researchers reported that cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy had twice the survival rates if they took astragalus during the treatment.

    In the West some herbalists routinely provide chemotherapy and radiotherapy patients with Astragalus, and apart from boosting the immune system (which of course both orthodox treatments damage) it also seems to stop the spread of malignant cancer cells to secondary healthy tissues'

    http://www.canceractive.com/cancer-active-page-link.aspx?n=536 

    "In summary, we have demonstrated in the present study that total Astragalus saponins could inhibit human colon cancer cell growth both in vitro and in vivo, with known mechanism of action. In contrast to orthodox chemotherapy using cytotoxic drugs, the use of this herbal extract imposes less toxicity while its anti-tumor effects could remain. This suggests the possibility of further developing AST as an alternative treatment option, or perhaps using it as adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent in colon cancer therapy"

    http://carcin.oxfordjournals.org/content/28/6/1347.full 

  • flannelette
    flannelette Member Posts: 984
    edited April 2012

    I use it too, but I didn't know any of the stuff about being beneficial for cancer. I use it for stopping colds. I make my own tincture. I buy dried astragalus roots from a local organic herbalist. Then using Susun Weed's recipe I turn int into a tincture with very high-proof vodka. Very, very easy. Then eventually I decant the vodka which has now all the medicinal properties of the astragalus into a glass jar. From there it goes to the little brown glass jars you can buy that have droppers with a small syringe.

    When I feel a cold coming I take a certain amount of drops in a little water several times a day. I usually add a bunch (like 6000 mg) of vitamin c and when I had that REishi &  other mushroom tonic that's very expensive and comes from Japan I added that, too. Usually stops a cold dead. but I do it the minute I'm noticing a cold coming on..Nowadays I just take the astragalus & vitamin c. I haven't had a cold in years.

    From what I've gathered there is virtually no toxicity to astragalus - and I think I'll just start taking it on a regular basis. You can, of course, buy the tincture ready-made but I like thinkiing I'm being a cheapskate and I enjoy Susun Weed's books and methods.

  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2012
    Thanks!

    Interesting...can you tell me how much you use/ do you purchase online ?
  • flannelette
    flannelette Member Posts: 984
    edited April 2012

    You can use 60 drops of tincture in a little water 3 times a day.  I first bought a bottle of the tincture from an organic herbalist in Ontario online, then when I learned how to make a tincture I just bought the dried astragalus root from the same herbalist. I'm sure there's a good one you can buy online from in the US, also good health food stores shoud carry good ones - some brands more reputble than others - that's why I like making my own.

    I tried to take it during chemo - it was so vile to my taste buds I couldn't use it. Now, it just tastes a bit awful, no problem. You can use a "chaser" like fresh orange juice right after to get the taste out of your mouth.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    I buy the caps at my health food store but would like eventually to imitate Flannelette who makes it sound so simple to make our own tincture, Susun Weed's books are on my wish list Wink

    Flannellette, what else do you make ? 

  • flannelette
    flannelette Member Posts: 984
    edited April 2012

    I used to make stinging nettle infusions (strong tea steeped overnight). That was quite good as a cold drink n a hot day. But am too lazy now. But might try harvesting my own nettle crop this mid-May - must be harvested before it blooms and I always forget.

    My interest in alll this comes & goes. Lately I've discovered how to use calendula tincture (bought at a good health food store) to sooth my skin which was plagued by a horrible dermatitiis all winter and for which I had to use corticosteroids for many months. I had eruptions that looked like volcanoes with black centres - gross - and my homeopathic dr. suggested the tincture to be sponged on using 5 parts water to one part tincture (tincture is alcohol so can sting).

    I also made & used my own milk thistle tincture 3-4 yrs ago when diagnosed & during chemo. I've kind of fallen off the wagon lol.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    That's neat - I want to stock up on all kinds of jars and start brewing my own stuff, become a witch Lol  

  • flannelette
    flannelette Member Posts: 984
    edited May 2012

    I woke up this morning with mild congestion in my upper chest - rats - a cold! think I picked it up from the young lady who washed my hair at the hairdresser's the other day, then she went home, feeling sick. great. So I took 60 drops of astragulus tincture twice during the day and....chest congestions' gone! also took a whole lot of vit.c with it. yea astragulus!

  • flannelette
    flannelette Member Posts: 984
    edited May 2012

    I woke up this morning with mild congestion in my upper chest - rats - a cold! think I picked it up from the young lady who washed my hair at the hairdresser's the other day, then she went home, feeling sick. great. So I took 60 drops of astragulus tincture twice during the day and....chest congestions' gone! also took a whole lot of vit.c with it. yea astragulus!

  • carcharm
    carcharm Member Posts: 486
    edited May 2012

    What dosage if in pill form?

  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited May 2012

    What brand is more reputable? Do i need to worry about organic? So much to learn

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2012

    Years ago, when I was told I had congestive heart failure - which I didn't, it was undiagnosed severe hypothyroid - I was given a combination supplement by a Nigerian MD, Eastern/Western protocols.  Astralagus was one of the main herbs, it supports heart contraction for fatigued hearts, mine definitely was.

    The interesting factor, I took that supplement for three years or so, then was properly diagnosed with the hypothyroid.  As soon as the meds for that kicked in, I did not have heart issues and stopped the supplement.  I then got cancer, lost my memory, was a worse mess than ever.

    Think I will add this to my protocol again.

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