My son is 12yrs, he had his spleen out last yr due to an accident. He has to take penecillin, for many yrs. He has a very good, varied diet. He gets cold sores and sometimes he is run down. His general health is good apart from Asthma.
What I want to know is........ would astragalus help with his immune system??
2007-01-27 03:19:45 · 8 answers · asked by cannonlady2 1 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
Astragalus is a large genus of about 2,000 species of herbs and small shrubs, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. The genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Common names include milk-vetch (most species) and goat's-thorn (A. gummifera, A. tragacanthus). Some pale-flowered vetches are similar in appearance, but vetches are more vine-like.
Astragalus membranaceus, or huángqí (黄芪, literally "yellow leader"; also called běiqí, 北芪, literally "northern leader") is a tonic herb originally used in Chinese medicine. It is believed to be a galactagogue, and recent studies show that it may strengthen the human immune system.
The natural gum tragacanth, which is used in pharmaceuticals and textiles, is obtained from Astragalus tragacanthus. It is claimed to help the immune system, and to increase the body's resistance to common viruses.
In western herbal medicine, Astragalus is primarily considered a tonic for enhancing metabolism and digestion and is consumed as a tea made from the roots of the plant. It is also traditionally used to strengthen the immune system and in the healing of wounds and injuries
2007-01-27 03:24:38 · answer #1 · answered by TotallyME 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Astragalus membranaceus, or huángqí (黄芪, literally "yellow leader"; also called běiqí, 北芪, literally "northern leader") is a tonic herb originally used in Chinese medicine. It is believed to be a galactagogue, and recent studies show that it may strengthen the human immune system.
The natural gum tragacanth, which is used in pharmaceuticals and textiles, is obtained from Astragalus tragacanthus. It is claimed to help the immune system, and to increase the body's resistance to common viruses.
In western herbal medicine, Astragalus is primarily considered a tonic for enhancing metabolism and digestion and is consumed as a tea made from the roots of the plant. It is also traditionally used to strengthen the immune system and in the healing of wounds and injuries[[1]].
2007-01-27 03:29:08 · answer #2 · answered by footynutguy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Astragalus is a tonic herb and exerts anti-stress effects helping to build energy, strengthen digestion, improve memory, learning, and resistance to disease.
Astragalus has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms in acute treatment of the common cold as well as raise white blood cell counts. Astragalus works by stimulating several factors of the immune system: phagocytic activity, interferon production, and natural killer cell activity, T-cell activity, and other anti viral mechanisms.
2007-01-28 00:26:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
this iste has good info on laternatives, diet,nutrotion,vitmains, herbs etc. It says:
"... Immune System and to really boost it, you need to use what many natural health experts described as the most powerful of all the immune-boosting agents; a Chinese herb called Astragalus in the West and Huang Chi in Chinese medicine..... "
Please see link(& scroll down to paragraph:
Using Natural Medcine to Support Your Child’s Recovery"
http://www.whatreallyworks.co.uk/start/kidszone.asp?article_ID=558
It syas it's very good.
Please type in asthma or any other conditions & it'll give you some good advice on what natural remedies are available.
2007-01-28 11:15:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simple answer, without quoting Wikipedia, is "Yes". I would look at combining it with some other tonic herb, perhaps Withania (Ashwaganda). Anyway feel free to contact a herbalist - look under "Herbalist" in Yellow Pages, we are always happy to answer queries.
2007-01-27 07:50:13 · answer #5 · answered by Graham W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure about the immune system generally, but if he is to take penicillin for a long time, he is definitely going to need to take a probiotic to balance the antibiotic effect.
2007-01-27 03:29:39 · answer #6 · answered by emsr2d2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we dont recomend it for under 16s as it might be too strong and do more harm then good.
speak to a doc first and see what he says then go speak to one of us advisors - if you do it with out seeking medical advice then our team wont be able to give you good advice.
holland and barrett sales teams are all product knowledge trained!
2007-01-29 07:27:58 · answer #7 · answered by suehindley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think so
2007-01-27 03:24:15 · answer #8 · answered by gamias 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋