Making sure your immune system can strongly defend itself has never been more critical.
When it’s performing optimally, your immune system can prevent ANY disease from taking root in your body. But unfortunately, it slows down and weakens with age. And this makes it harder for you to fight off invaders.
Luckily, there is an ancient herb that is proven to boost the body’s natural defense system. It’s called astragalus – and I’ve been using it for 30 years.
You see, astragalus extract is the key ingredient in a nutritional supplement called TA-65. I was privileged to become the first doctor in the U.S. licensed to administer TA-65. It’s a telomerase-activating formula that significantly reverses aging of the immune system.1
Astragalus gets its power from its remarkable adaptogenic properties.
Adaptogens are a special class of healing herbs that coax your body to adapt to stressors — both internal and external. They work to normalize your body and bring about homeostasis, or a state of equilibrium.
Astragalus contains dozens of active, synergistic and supportive components — including immune-boosting saponins, antioxidant flavonoids, and dozens of anti-inflammatory, oxygen-rich polysaccharides.
This super adaptogen heightens the efficiency of virtually every component of your immune system and provides your body with a near-impenetrable defense. It does this by triggering the production of immune system stem cells, flooding your body with young, new immune cells ready to battle against any viral or bacterial invader.
Just look at some of the research:
- Numerous studies show that astragalus increases production of defender T cells. It also increases the stimulation of high immunoglobulin levels, which boost the ability of immune cells to attach themselves to harmful viruses, and aid in their destruction.2
- One study found that astragalus given to 14 healthy volunteers for two months led to a significantly increased interferon-inducing ability in the subjects’ blood vessels. This dramatically heightens the virus-fighting power of cells. Even two months after the end of therapy, the interferon-inducing ability was still significantly higher.3
- In another study from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, researchers gave astragalus to 19 cancer patients and 15 healthy people. In many cases, it made the cancer patients’ immune systems resemble those of the healthy subjects. In fact, the patients who used astragalus doubled their chances of survival.4
Power your immune system at home
Astragalus is available in many forms, including supplements. I recommend taking 500 mg of the concentrated extract three times a day.
But my favorite way to use it is by making astragalus tea with the dried root.
Here’s a simple, effective recipe that combines astragalus with three more proven immune boosters – goji berries, lemon peel, and ginger. Ginger also possesses powerful antiviral properties.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp dried astragalus
- ¼ cup dried goji berries
- 1 tbsp dried ginger
- 1 piece dried lemon peel
- Honey, to taste.
Directions:
- Rinse the goji berries under cold water.
- Add the first four ingredients to a quart of water in a covered pot.
- Keep it at a low simmer for 30 minutes, then strain.
- Add a bit of honey to taste and enjoy.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD, CNS
References:
1. Ping L, et al. “Anti-aging implications of astragalus membranaceus (huangqi): a well-known Chinese tonic.” Aging Dis. 2017 Dec; 8(6): 868–886
2. Li ZX, et al.’ Immunomodulatory effects of a new whole ingredients extract from Astragalus: a combined evaluation on chemistry and pharmacology.” Chin Med. 2019; 14: 12.
3. Hou YD, et al. “Effect of Radix Astragali seu Hedysari on the interferon system.” Chin Med J. 1981; 94(1):35-40.
4. Maleskey G. “Nature’s Medicines : From Asthma to Weight Gain, from Colds to High Cholesterol – The Most Powerful All-Natural Cures.” Rodale Books. 1999 ISBN-10 1579540287