Clinical Applications and Mechanism of Action

Astragalus has been used for at least 2000 years in China and continues to be widely used as a herb that is known to enhance function of the immune system and facilitates an increase in energy production within the heart muscle, in cases where certain forms of heart disease exist. (1,2,3,4,5,) It is one of the most widely used herbs in Fu-zheng therapy--the use of herbs to augment the host defense mechanisms. (1,2,3,6) Astragalus is a herbaceous perennial with the root of the plant used for medicinal purposes. (7) The primary active ingredients within astragalus include triterpene glycosides such as astragalosides, polysaccharides such as astragalans and various flavonoids. (7,8,9,10,11