Astragalus Help for Patients with Colon Cancer

• Clinical Evidence of Benefit

Studies show that compounds in astragalus could help prevent and treat colon cancer. Researchers also suggest that using Chinese herbal medicine could help cancer patients on chemotherapy. Many of these herbal formulas contain astragalus. ^{25, 159, 160}

Protection from Chemotherapy Side Effects

Animal studies indicate astragalus can reduce the toxic side effects of chemotherapy used for colon cancer. Astragalus may even be able to relieve pain from neuropathy caused by platinum-based chemotherapy. ¹⁶¹

Clinical Evidence of Benefit

Three controlled clinical trials using astragalus combined with chemotherapy demonstrated the following benefits: ²⁵

• Reduced nausea and vomiting.
• Improved rates of low white blood cell counts.
• Stronger immune system functioning.

Patients who were given astragalus with their chemotherapy regimen had much better results than those who only used chemotherapy. ²⁵