by The Happy WAHM
Astragalus is an herb. The root is used to make medicine.
Astragalus is used for many conditions, but so far, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to determine whether or not it is effective for any of them.
Astragalus is used for the common cold, upper respiratory infections, allergies, fibromyalgia, anemia, HIV/AIDS, and to strengthen and regulate the immune system. It is also used for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Some people use astragalus as a general tonic, to protect the liver, and to fight bacteria and viruses.
Astragalus is commonly used in combination with other herbs. For example, in combination with Ligustrum lucidum (glossy privet), astragalus is used orally for treating breast cancer, cervical cancer, and lung cancer.
Astragalus is sometimes applied to the skin to increase blood flow to the area and to speed wound healing.
There are several different species of astragalus. Some species contain a toxin called swainsonine and have been linked to livestock poisonings. Some of these species include Astragalus lentiginosus, Astragalus mollissimus, and others. However, these species of astragalus are usually not found in dietary supplements used by humans. Most astragalus supplements contain Astragalus membranaceus.
How does it work?
Astragalus seems to stimulate and increase the immune system.
Proven Effective for
- Reducing side effects of chemotherapy. Early research suggests that giving astragalus intravenously (by IV) or using Chinese herbal mixtures containing astragalus might reduce nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bone marrow suppression (a decrease in the cells that provide immunity) that is associated with chemotherapy treatments.
- Diabetes. Early research suggests that astragalus, given intravenously (by IV) or taken by mouth as a combination product, might help control blood sugar and insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Resource: WebMD
by The Happy WAHM
Siberian ginseng is a plant. People use the root of the plant to make medicine.
Siberian ginseng is often called an “adaptogen.” This is a non-medical term used to describe substances that can supposedly strengthen the body and increase general resistance to daily stress.
In addition to being used as an adaptogen, Siberian ginseng is used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels such as high blood pressure, low blood pressure, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), and rheumatic heart disease.
It is also used for kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, flu, colds, chronic bronchitis, and tuberculosis. It is also used for treating the side effects of cancerchemotherapy.
Some people use it to improve athletic performance and the ability to do work. They also use it to treat sleep problems (insomnia) and the symptoms of infections caused by herpes simplex type 2.
It is also used to boost the immune system, prevent colds, and increase appetite.
In manufacturing, Siberian ginseng is added to skin care products.
Don’t confuse Siberian ginseng with other types of ginseng. It is not the same herb as American or Panax ginseng. Be careful about which product you choose. American and Panax ginseng can be a lot more expensive. It is said that years ago, the Soviet Union wanted to provide its athletes with the advantages offered by ginseng but wanted a less expensive version. So, Siberian ginseng became popular, and this is why most studies on it have been done in Russia.
You should know that the quality of Siberian ginseng products varies a lot. It is often misidentified or contains “adulterants,” which are other ingredients that do not contribute to the benefit of the product but take up space in the product. Silk vine is a common adulterant of Siberian ginseng.
Before taking herb, talk with your healthcare provider if you take any medications. This herb interacts with many prescription drugs.
How does it work?
Siberian ginseng contains many chemicals that affect the brain, immune system, and certain hormones. It might also contain chemicals that have activity against some bacteria and viruses.
Proven Effective for
- Bipolar disorder. Taking Siberian ginseng plus lithium by mouth for 6 weeks appears to induce a similar response rate and remission rate as taking lithium plus fluoxetine in people with bipolar disorder.
- Relieving symptoms of the common cold, when used in combination with an herb called andrographis. Some clinical research shows that taking a specific combination product containing Siberian ginseng plus andrographis (Kan Jang, Swedish Herbal Institute) by mouth improves symptoms of the common cold when started within 72 hours of symptom onset. Some symptoms can improve after 2 days of treatment. However, it generally takes 4-5 days of treatment for the maximum benefit. Some research suggests this combination of Siberian ginseng and andrographis relieves cold symptoms in children better than echinacea. Also taking a specific product containing Siberian ginseng, echinacea, and malabar nut (Kan Jang, Swedish Herbal Institute) for 6 days appears to improve coughing and congestion better than taking the drug bromohexine.
- A viral infection called herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2). Taking a specific Siberian ginseng extract, standardized to contain a specific ginseng ingredient called eleutheroside 0.3% (Elagen), seems to reduce the number, severity, and duration of herpes simplex type 2 infections.
Resource: WebMD
by The Happy WAHM
Schisandra berry, also spelled schizandra, is a vining shrub native to Northern and Northeast China, areas of Korea and Russia. In Chinese, the berries of Schisandra chinensis are called Wu Wei Zi, translated as the “five-flavor fruit”, based on it’s salty, sweet, sour, pungent and bitter flavors, It has been used as a natural medicine for thousands of years and prescribed by physicians in China.
The use of schisandra berry in North America is limited; only small number of studies have currently been published in English. Most of the published research is in Chinese, Japanese and Russian. In the 16th century, the largest description of materia medica in traditional China was written in a pharmaceutical book titled Bencao Gangmu (Guidelines to Roots and Herbs). In Traditioanal Chinese Medicine, schisandra berry has been widely used as a kidney tonic and lunch astringent. Schisandra helps promote the production of body fluid, increase the body’s resistance to a broad spectrum of adverse biological, chemical and physical effect and help the body handle stress.
Schisandra fruit has been found to have a variety of active constituents including essential oils, vitamins A, C and E, flavonoids, triterpenic acid, citric acid, ganwuweizic acid, and more.
Health Benefits of Schisandra Berry
Antimicrobial Effects and Liver Health
Scientific studies have found that schisandra berry works as an antibacterial, a stimulants and it protects the liver against toxins. Liver problems lead to immune disorders because of the build up of toxins. In vitro and in animal models, schisandra extract has been examined for its anti-inflammatory effects. A constituent of schisandra has been shown to inhibit inflammatory cell infiltration in animals with liver injuries. In vitro, schisandra chinensis extract has also shown antibacterial activity.
Other Benefits
Schisandra is used as an “adaptogen” for increasing resistance to disease and stress, increasing energy, and increasing physical performance and endurance.
Schisandra is also used for preventing early aging and increasing lifespan, normalizing blood sugar and blood pressure, stimulating the immune system, and speeding recovery after surgery.
It is also used for treating liver disease (hepatitis) and protecting the liver from poisons. The Chinese have developed a liver-protecting drug called DBD that is made from schizandrin, one of the chemicals in schisandra.
Other uses for schisandra include treatment of high cholesterol, pneumonia, coughs, asthma, sleep problems (insomnia), tiredness and irritability associated with emotional disturbance (neurasthenia), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), chronic diarrhea, dysentery, night sweats, spontaneous sweating, involuntary discharge of semen, thirst, erectile dysfunction (ED), physical exhaustion, excessive urination, depression, irritability, and memory loss. It is also used in children to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks of fever associated with an inherited disease called familial Mediterranean fever.
Some people use schisandra for improving vision and muscular activity, protecting against radiation, preventing motion sickness, preventing infection, boosting energy at the cellular level, and improving the health of the adrenal glands.
Common Name:
Schisandra Berry
Botanical Name:
Schisandra chinensis
Part of Use:
Berry
References:
1. Natural Standard: The Authority of Integrative Medicine
2. Louise Tenney (2000). Today’s Herbal Health. 5th Edition
3. WebMD
