Has anyone taken Astragalus 10+ (Chinese herbs) during chemo?

We went to a local Chinese medicine doctor and he prescribed Seven Forests Astragalus 10+ (http://www.acuatlanta.net/seven-forests-astragalus-10+-420-tablets-p-21860.html?mclick=brand&osCsid=c62b3f28c17bec65397056b04d277ed4 )to help with the side effects during chemo. He says it won't interfere with the chemo, but I'm a little hesitant to have Kenny try it for that reason. Has anyone taken it during chemo and had success with it and chemo? Kenny's on Folfox (w/ 5FU) and Avastin.

Comments

  • have2believe
    have2believe Member Posts: 134
    not sure if this helps
    Astralagus is a very common soup base in for Chinese soups. I didn't realize this until I went to the Asian supermarket with my mom and saw that that was what "astralagus" was in English. You can look it up on the sloan kettering herbs website. I would guess that the strength of the actual astralagus is more mild, but she didn't have issues with it when taking in the soup broth.
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    I take it
    I take astralagus capsules as an antioxidant.I take it along with a capsule of agaricus, also an antioxidant. I just take one capsule a day and, honestly, many days I forget it. I'm on chemo & it doesn't seem to interfere at all- I read that it doesn't. I honestly don't know if it's helped my cancer or not, but I have been taking it more for the qualities that it's supposed to boost my immune system. I have not been sick nor had any infections, so it is likely helping in that area.

    Lisa
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    been on it everyday in one form or another
    the choice is yours.
    welcome to the path least travelled.
    I did not take tcm on chemo days but every other day.
    hugs,
    pete
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    ade7682
    Re:
    "We went to a local Chinese medicine doctor and he
    prescribed Seven Forests Astragalus 10+ "


    Name of formula: Huang Qi Da Bu Pian

    The Astragalus alone can raise or lower blood pressure depending
    on the dosage, so if you notice a fluctuation, suspect the herbal
    mix and don't start taking BP meds.

    But Astragalus is only 12% of the total formula, and the other
    herbs can counteract or add to any other single herb's effects.

    Patent Chinese Medicine (like this specific one), are generally
    used as a maintenance prescription, and not to solve a specific
    cause of a symptom. I (and my wife) personally have never
    had much success with the Chinese Patent Medicines, but
    have had wonderful success from the personally formulated
    prescriptions.

    To explain it more simply: Chinese Patent Medicine is sold
    "over the counter", just as many western medicine generic
    treatments are. They are good for the "general problem",
    but rarely affect an actual cure (think: Tylenol).

    That's why herbal formulas are usually formulated by the
    experienced TCM physician and are not simply prescribed
    arbitrarily using "over the counter".formulas. You can buy that
    same herbal "pill" on line, with very wide ranging prices,
    as well in many Asian markets.

    You will find that there is a difference in the way some TCM
    practitioners go about their treatments as well as diagnosis.

    The true, orthodox TCM practitioner usually will have a very
    large supply of fresh, loose herbs to use for his prescriptions.
    Each formula can be tweaked to suit the individual needs
    of each patient. That, is the true manner in which TCM is
    practiced!

    Some herbal compounds can cause both good or bad reactions,
    just as western medicine may not suit each individual's needs.

    If you have a reaction to a Western Medicine drug, you tell the
    doctor or pharmacist, and get another drug.

    We do that as well, with TCM; If the herbs do not do as expected,
    the TCM doc may add or remove an herb (or two) from the formula.

    The Western Medicine practitioner is unable do that and must
    instead, find a totally different pre-made drug to use.

    So you see, the true TCM practitioner takes a very personal
    view regarding your health needs, and formulates prescriptions
    for the individual patient; he does not simply prescribe an
    already compounded generic formula as western medicine
    physicians are limited to.

    As time passes, and the chemo treatments take it's toll, the
    same Chinese Patent Medicine will no longer suffice; it's
    simply too generic! The experienced TCM doc usually follows
    his patient's health closely, and makes the needed modifications
    as it's called for.

    My question to you, would be to ask why your TCM doc
    isn't formulating the prescription for your needs specifically?

    Sorry if all of this sounds rude, but there are good and not-so-good
    in all fields, TCM, WM, shoemakers and hair stylists.... It's not
    always too easy to find a great one!

    I hope I gave you some useful input? (you're not gonna'
    key my car, are you?)

    Good luck and best of health!

    John
  • ade7682
    ade7682 Member Posts: 31
    John23 said:

    ade7682
    Re:
    "We went to a local Chinese medicine doctor and he
    prescribed Seven Forests Astragalus 10+ "


    Name of formula: Huang Qi Da Bu Pian

    The Astragalus alone can raise or lower blood pressure depending
    on the dosage, so if you notice a fluctuation, suspect the herbal
    mix and don't start taking BP meds.

    But Astragalus is only 12% of the total formula, and the other
    herbs can counteract or add to any other single herb's effects.

    Patent Chinese Medicine (like this specific one), are generally
    used as a maintenance prescription, and not to solve a specific
    cause of a symptom. I (and my wife) personally have never
    had much success with the Chinese Patent Medicines, but
    have had wonderful success from the personally formulated
    prescriptions.

    To explain it more simply: Chinese Patent Medicine is sold
    "over the counter", just as many western medicine generic
    treatments are. They are good for the "general problem",
    but rarely affect an actual cure (think: Tylenol).

    That's why herbal formulas are usually formulated by the
    experienced TCM physician and are not simply prescribed
    arbitrarily using "over the counter".formulas. You can buy that
    same herbal "pill" on line, with very wide ranging prices,
    as well in many Asian markets.

    You will find that there is a difference in the way some TCM
    practitioners go about their treatments as well as diagnosis.

    The true, orthodox TCM practitioner usually will have a very
    large supply of fresh, loose herbs to use for his prescriptions.
    Each formula can be tweaked to suit the individual needs
    of each patient. That, is the true manner in which TCM is
    practiced!

    Some herbal compounds can cause both good or bad reactions,
    just as western medicine may not suit each individual's needs.

    If you have a reaction to a Western Medicine drug, you tell the
    doctor or pharmacist, and get another drug.

    We do that as well, with TCM; If the herbs do not do as expected,
    the TCM doc may add or remove an herb (or two) from the formula.

    The Western Medicine practitioner is unable do that and must
    instead, find a totally different pre-made drug to use.

    So you see, the true TCM practitioner takes a very personal
    view regarding your health needs, and formulates prescriptions
    for the individual patient; he does not simply prescribe an
    already compounded generic formula as western medicine
    physicians are limited to.

    As time passes, and the chemo treatments take it's toll, the
    same Chinese Patent Medicine will no longer suffice; it's
    simply too generic! The experienced TCM doc usually follows
    his patient's health closely, and makes the needed modifications
    as it's called for.

    My question to you, would be to ask why your TCM doc
    isn't formulating the prescription for your needs specifically?

    Sorry if all of this sounds rude, but there are good and not-so-good
    in all fields, TCM, WM, shoemakers and hair stylists.... It's not
    always too easy to find a great one!

    I hope I gave you some useful input? (you're not gonna'
    key my car, are you?)

    Good luck and best of health!

    John

    Thanks John
    No, you've been very helpful. He's the only TCM I've found in Wilmington, NC that says he has experience in treating cancer patients. He wanted Kenny to start by taking 4 capsules 2x day. Kenny is on Valturna for high BP due to the Avastin, so raising BP is definitely a concern. Our biggest concern is whether it will make the chemo less effective. I don't know why this TCM doesn't do his own herbal concoctions. I've been trying to find out more from him via email about what the specific herbs do in this formula. he says he gives the same formula to all of his cancer patients.
  • ade7682
    ade7682 Member Posts: 31
    Thanks
    Thanks everyone for your feedback!
  • ade7682
    ade7682 Member Posts: 31
    Thanks
    Thanks everyone for your feedback!
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    ade7682 said:

    Thanks John
    No, you've been very helpful. He's the only TCM I've found in Wilmington, NC that says he has experience in treating cancer patients. He wanted Kenny to start by taking 4 capsules 2x day. Kenny is on Valturna for high BP due to the Avastin, so raising BP is definitely a concern. Our biggest concern is whether it will make the chemo less effective. I don't know why this TCM doesn't do his own herbal concoctions. I've been trying to find out more from him via email about what the specific herbs do in this formula. he says he gives the same formula to all of his cancer patients.

    ade7682 -

    Re:
    "I've been trying to find out more from him via email about what
    the specific herbs do in this formula."


    You have to understand that "each herb" is used along with other
    herbs to provide the results, so knowing what each herb can do
    alone, doesn't really matter, unless you're compounding your
    own personal formula.

    Although "Astragalus" can raise or lower BP, depending on
    the dosage, it isn't usually a critical issue when it's used in
    a formula consisting of other herbs. In that specific formula,
    Astragalus is only 12% of the total mix.

    If you were self-medicating, and using Astragalus alone and
    without other herbs, the amount you take would be more critical.

    I don't know of any "bad things" regarding Chinese Patent Medicine,
    and any speculative fear oncologists or WM physicians may have
    regarding it's use with chemotherapy, is unfounded, and strictly
    prejudiced fear.

    The chemicals used in chemotherapy are incredibly toxic, and
    will usually overcome any other drug of lesser strength.

    It's humorous to hear that a WM physician is telling patients that
    "Chinese herbs -will not- kill cancer cells", then express fears that
    those same herbs will prevent chemo chemicals from doing it's
    powerful job. Which is it? Are the herbs powerful enough to
    kill cancer cells and possibly prevent chemo from working?
    Or are they weaker than chemo and useless to fight cancer?

    (That was rhetorical.... no reply needed..)

    The bottom line, is that the remedy your "TCM doc" provided you
    with, shouldn't have any bad effects what-so-ever, but if they
    do, or you feel that they do, stop taking them. It's no different
    than taking western meds, right? If they are presenting a problem,
    we stop taking it.

    Chemo is fear driven medicine, and although it can make a patient
    so ill they feel impending doom from it, they continue anyway with
    relentless fear of not doing what the doctor says ......

    "Trust thyself"; listen to your intuition that was provided to you
    for your basic survival.

    All that said...... "Kenny" should be listening to -his- intuition,
    since -he- is the one doing the fighting. His body will tell him
    what might be a better choice.

    I see all too often here, of spouses trying to make life-changing
    choices for their loved one, regardless if what their spouse feels
    is a best for them. The power of one's body to survive, should
    not be tampered with, or tempered with fear or dreams.

    "Trust thyself"

    Be well, and my best for Kenny!

    John
  • 1acme
    1acme Member Posts: 77
    Just prescribed
    I am about 7 weeks after finishing chemo DD - AC/TAC/TAX and my Homeopath prescribed this "supplement" for me as I still have severe lack of energy .... During my chemo I was "allowed" to take any supplements - ONLY vitamin D3
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    John23 said:

    ade7682 -

    Re:
    "I've been trying to find out more from him via email about what
    the specific herbs do in this formula."


    You have to understand that "each herb" is used along with other
    herbs to provide the results, so knowing what each herb can do
    alone, doesn't really matter, unless you're compounding your
    own personal formula.

    Although "Astragalus" can raise or lower BP, depending on
    the dosage, it isn't usually a critical issue when it's used in
    a formula consisting of other herbs. In that specific formula,
    Astragalus is only 12% of the total mix.

    If you were self-medicating, and using Astragalus alone and
    without other herbs, the amount you take would be more critical.

    I don't know of any "bad things" regarding Chinese Patent Medicine,
    and any speculative fear oncologists or WM physicians may have
    regarding it's use with chemotherapy, is unfounded, and strictly
    prejudiced fear.

    The chemicals used in chemotherapy are incredibly toxic, and
    will usually overcome any other drug of lesser strength.

    It's humorous to hear that a WM physician is telling patients that
    "Chinese herbs -will not- kill cancer cells", then express fears that
    those same herbs will prevent chemo chemicals from doing it's
    powerful job. Which is it? Are the herbs powerful enough to
    kill cancer cells and possibly prevent chemo from working?
    Or are they weaker than chemo and useless to fight cancer?

    (That was rhetorical.... no reply needed..)

    The bottom line, is that the remedy your "TCM doc" provided you
    with, shouldn't have any bad effects what-so-ever, but if they
    do, or you feel that they do, stop taking them. It's no different
    than taking western meds, right? If they are presenting a problem,
    we stop taking it.

    Chemo is fear driven medicine, and although it can make a patient
    so ill they feel impending doom from it, they continue anyway with
    relentless fear of not doing what the doctor says ......

    "Trust thyself"; listen to your intuition that was provided to you
    for your basic survival.

    All that said...... "Kenny" should be listening to -his- intuition,
    since -he- is the one doing the fighting. His body will tell him
    what might be a better choice.

    I see all too often here, of spouses trying to make life-changing
    choices for their loved one, regardless if what their spouse feels
    is a best for them. The power of one's body to survive, should
    not be tampered with, or tempered with fear or dreams.

    "Trust thyself"

    Be well, and my best for Kenny!

    John

    this a such a great reply
    how are you going john?

    have you dabbled in chigong ?
    i am getting into its practice! but the expert around here charges a fortune.
    at the best cancer clinic in sydney they are offering a medically based chigong next year, cannot wait!
    hugs,
    pete