Research: Astragalus has Renal Protective Effect

 Chinese Herb Research, News and Research
Sep 162013
 

Research on Chinese herb Huang Qi (Radix Astragali):

Nephroprotective: Administration of Huang Qi via injection is associated with numerous benefits in patients with diabetic nephropathy, such as renal protective effect (BUN, SCr, CCr and urine protein) and systemic state improvement (serum albumin level).
Ref: Li M, Wang W, Xue J, Gu Y, Lin S. Meta-analysis of the clinical value of Astragalus membranaceus in diabetic nephropathy. Division of Nephrology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Oct 13.

Nephroprotective: Huang Qi exerts the nephroprotective effect by reducing fasting blood glucose and albuminuria levels, in reversing the glomerular hyperfiltration state, and in ameliorating the pathological changes of early diabetic nephropathy.
Ref: Zhang J, Xie X, Li C, Fu P. Systematic review of the renal protective effect of Astragalus
membranaceus (root) on diabetic nephropathy in animal models. Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Nov 12;126(2):189-96. Epub 2009 Sep 6.

Research on Huang Qi + Lu Xian Cao (Herba Pyrolae):
Aminoglycosides (an antibiotic class): In one study, compound injection of Lu Xian Cao (Herba Pyrolae) and Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) in guinea pigs was found to be effective in preventing the ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity associated with use of aminoglycosides. These two herbs protected the cochlea based on electrocochleography and morphology by scanning electron microscopy. They also improved blood urea nitrogen, urinary protein and observation of renal morphology. [Note: Examples of aminoglycosides include gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin.]
Ref: Xuan W, Dong M, Dong M. Effects of compound injection of Pyrola rotundifolia L and Astragalus
membranaceus Bge on experimental guinea pigs’ gentamicin ototoxicity. Department of Otolaryngology, Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medical College, Nanning, People’s Republic of China. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1995 May;104(5):374-80.

More references for research of Astragalus can be found at the end of this sample monograph from the premier resource of the Chinese Herbal Materia Medica, Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, by John Chen and Tina Chen.

(I am not sure where I first found these references, but all these studies can be found on
PubMed).

Chinese Herbal Formulas to Boost Immunity

 Allergies, Auto-immune Disease, Cancer Treatment, Cancer/Integrative Oncology, Immune System Disorders, Influenza/Viral Infections
Sep 162013
 

Two Chinese herbal formulas I commonly recommend to boost immunity are Evergreen Herbs Immune + and Zand Astragalus Formula. Immune + is based on a very commonly-used formula Yu Ping Feng San, which is especially used to help those who easily catch common colds or flues, or are commonly affected by seasonal allergies. Zand Astragalus is a very similar formula.

Catching colds or flues easily, and/or having seasonal allergies means that the immune system is weak and needs to be strengthened. These formulas are also ideal to strengthen the immune system when going into the winter season or when one knows they will be exposed to others who are ill from a common cold or flu, or when one is oing into a hospital or convalescent situation where others could be ill. Both of these formulas will also tend to help poor energy too.

Both of these formulas contain Astragalus (Huang Qi) and Reishi mushroom (Ling Zhi, or Ganoderma), both of which research has shown are immunoprotective. Research has also shown that Astragalus can have an antibiotic effect, is anti-asthmatic and is nephroprotective (protects the kidneys) as well. Reishi has anti-cancer properties and a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.

More information on the two main herbs in these formulas can be found at these sample monographs from the premier resource of the Chinese Herbal Materia Medica, Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, by John Chen and Tina Chen: Huang Qi and Ling Zhi/Reishi

Astragalus is also in the Evergreen Herbs Cordyceps 3 formula. Cordyceps is especially known to treat chronic respiratory disorders; I call it a ‘Ginseng for the Lungs’ since it is also used for its ginseng-like ‘anti-aging’ qualities. Speaking of Ginseng, Panax Ginseng (Ren Shen) is in this formula as well. So Cordyceps 3 is an excellent formula for aging, poor energy or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and many other conditions as well that need immune-system support, including cancer.

Recommendations for Smoke Exposure (from forest fires)

 Pulmonology/Respiratory Disease
Aug 062012
 

Here are recommendations for Cleansing and Detoxifying from Air Pollution (that I wrote back in the summer of 2008 when our area was surrounded by forest fires for weeks).

Forest fires are very common in the summer in our area of the Sierra Nevada foothills, so we are again being exposed to heavy amounts of smoke in the air in August 2012… here’s More Natural Medicine Recommendations for Smoke Exposure.

Also see my Pear and Rock Sugar Elixir recipe for soothing the lungs and taming a cough (with or without phlegm).