This month, health columnist Ruth Holmes discusses astragalus.

ASTRAGALUS is a herb. Its common name is milk vetch and the root has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for many centuries.

It is native to Mongolia and northern China and when research highlighted its effects upon the immune system, it was adopted as an important remedy in the West.

Whereas mainly I would prescribe western herbal medicines, this is one herb that I would not like to be without.

Often echinacea is used and discussed for its properties in enhancing the immune system and for curing colds and respiratory infection and is often effective for those purposes.

However, this herb does not suit everyone, so sometimes taking it will have little or no effect.

It is more effective for treating acute infections whereas the astragalus herb is superb at treating chronic conditions. This is when the astragalus membraneous herb can be useful.

It can help when immunity is impaired where there is a chronic condition such as viral infections that will not go, or conditions where there is a lack of healing – for example, for cervical erosions.

It is useful for any condition which includes symptoms like decreased appetite, poor vitality, post partum or chronic fatigue.

In Chinese medicine, astragalus is classified as a herb that tonifies the qi (energy) and blood (nutrition). As such, it is used for postpartum fever and recovery from heavy blood loss. Studies have shown that this herb restored depleted red blood cells formation in bone marrow and tonifies the spleen – hence is used for fatigue linked to decreased appetite.

Being a root, the chemical components need to be extracted in alcohol, so drinking in tincture form rather than taking as a tea will be more beneficial.

Astragalus has been used in combination with drug therapies to reduce their toxicity and ameliorate side effects and has undergone numerous clinical trials. It is now well known for its beneficial effects when taken during any chemotherapy or radiotherapy, as it does not work like echinacea to heighten the immune system’s activity, which is not recommended during this type of treatment. It helps to protect cells and renews them. It also has a positive effect on the cells of the liver and controls fluids by widening blood vessels, encouraging blood to move to the surface. As such, it is useful for wound healing and helping the body to resist cold weather.

This herb is also called an adaptogenic or classic energy tonic rather like Ginseng, which means that it helps the adrenal glands to cope with the detrimental effects that occur after prolonged stress.It also has a nourishing effect upon the nervous system, while manifestly improving physical endurance. This treatment is contraindicated alongside other prescribed immune suppressant drugs such as cyclosporine but otherwise is a safe herb to use.