Astragalus membranaceus or locoweed or milk vetch root as it's commonly referred to is a plant that is part of the legume family. Long, thin diagonal sections of the root that show the exterior at each end are used in herbal medicine.

An interesting fact about astragalus is that is has an unusual ability to stimulate certain immune functions while causing others to be depressed. The herb provides benefits for anyone who experiences, fatigue, low vitality and frequently recurring infections. For these reasons, it is a recommendation among many for the treatment of complicated disease conditions like lupus, myasthenia gravis, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and immune suppression that results from cancer treatment. To get the most effective results from astragalus, it should be used on a daily basis over the long-term.

Astragalus is beneficial in treating the following conditions:

Heart attack, atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, and angina - Chinese studies have concluded that by increasing the action of the left ventricle which is the main pumping chamber of the heart, astragalus improves circulation after a heart attack. Astragalus also helps prevent coronary arteries from becoming clogged by clots when taken with the herbs scutellaria and coptis as all three make the blood more fluid. It also shields heart tissues from damage after blood returns to them after a heart attack or bypass surgery.

According to Chinese researchers, astragalus compounds called astragalosides have good preliminary results in treating congestive heart failure. When injected into patients, an average of roughly 20 percent of their heart function is regained in two weeks of treatment.

When it comes to angina pain, other Chinese doctors have found astragalus to offer more effective relief than the drug nifedipine (Procardia) . Over 80 percent of angina patients showed improvement on astragalus without the side effects that care caused by nifedipine.

Common Cold - According to Chinese studies, astragalus can reduce the number of colds caught during cold season as well as shorten the duration of the colds caught. By increasing the production of interferon - which helps shield against viruses that invade cells -astragalus can help build a natural resistance to colds and the flu. Astragalus also helps the immune cells that kill off viruses known as macrophages become faster and more efficient.

Bladder infection - Astragalus treats infections caused by Proteus, which can cause kidney stones.

HIV/AIDS - Astragalus stimulates the activity of T-helper cells depleted by AIDS without stimulating the activity of T-suppressor cells, which would deactivate them.

Infertility - Astragalus seed was used in ancient Chinese medicine to treat infertile men and studies have shown it to increase sperm motility or the vigorous activity of sperm.

Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis - In patients with lupus, beneficial components of the immune system become stimulated with astragalus while the detrimental components involved in rheumatoid arthritis are not stimulated.

Diabetes - modern research has confirmed the traditional use of astragalus. In one study with people who had diabetes and various complications associated with it - including an eye disease known as diabetic retinopathy - improvements in blood flow through the eye were evident in 82 percent of the participants when given 2-3 grams of equal mixture parts of astragalus and another herb called rehmani 3 times daily for 3 months.

Burns - The production of the immune-system chemical interlukin-2 (IL-2) is increased with astragalus. Additionally, it releases polysaccharides that act the same way as important antibodies, complementing their production by the immune system.

Cancer - Chinese studies have found astragalus to increase the activity of lympokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, an immune system component. Additionally, astragalus - when used simultaneously with a drug called synthetic IL-2 which is used in treating lymphoma, kidney cancer, colorectal cancer and melanoma increases the effectiveness of the drug which when concentrated, is highly toxic. Astraglaus' effects when used with this drug make it possible for lower, less toxic doses of IL-2 to be administered. Astragalus also stops the spread of cancers known to respond to a tumor suppressing gene called gene p53 which acts as a molecular overseer to keep defective cells from multiplying.

Astragalus is also effective in preventing white blood cells from being depleted during chemotherapy.

Astragalus is used in capsules, tinctures, teas and fluid extracts. Even when taken in large doses, it is non-toxic. According to Chinese tradition, astragalus should not be used during an acute infection or for colds and flu, especially if there is a fever or skin infection.

Astraglus is also incompatible with prescription medications that are often given after a heart attack.

* Important notes: Astragalus should not be taken if fever is present.

It is recommended that you seek the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner prior to using astragulus or any alternative therapies. Any recommended doses are for those over age 18. Always check herb and vitamin use with your child’s health care practitioner prior to administering them.