Herbal Help for Congestive Heart Failure
Despite advances in the prevention and treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF), symptomatic illness and mortality rates are still high. Fortunately, astragalus has antioxidant, immune system boosting, and antioxidant properties that may help. Clinical research suggests these properties of astragalus could help treat people with CHF.(39)
Causes of Congestive Heart Failure
CHF is a chronic and progressive condition that is caused by tissue damage from a number of inflammatory conditions, including:(91)
- Auto-immune disease triggered by a virus
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Viral infection
- Dysfunctional fat metabolism
Genetics may also be a risk factor for CHF.(91)
How Can Astragalus Help?
The immune system releases inflammatory proteins called cytokines. In chronic inflammatory conditions, these cytokines levels are overexpressed. Research indicates that this may play a part in the development and progression of CHF.(91)
Clinical studies suggest astragalus can help control cytokine levels and boost the immune system. Results suggest that these effects could make astragalus an effective treatment for CHF:
| Trial Details | Results |
|---|---|
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20-day intravenous therapy(39) 62 CHF patients with heart function grade levels from II-IV, randomly assigned to one of 2 groups:(39)
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30-day clinical study(173) 90 patients with CHF, randomly divided in 3 equally numbered groups receiving the following oral doses of astragalus twice a day:(173)
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Significant improvements in the following areas compared to pre-treatment levels:(173)
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There is also clinical evidence that astragalus in combination with other herbs and conventional drugs can effectively improve heart function in patients with CHF.(174-175)