Tragacanth
Astragalus gummifer
“The main use of tragacanth is as a suspending or thickening agent for emulsions, mixtures, gels, low calorie syrups and various other pharmaceutical formulations. However, the polysaccharides have recently been shown to have immunostimulating activity such as stimulation of phagocytosis and an increase in plasma cell counts of T lymphocytes and tragacanth has been shown to be active against a variety of tumours. Pretreatment in mice reduces the number of positive ‘takes’ of translated Ehrlich ascites cells.” Bartram also writes of its inhibition of cancer cell growth.
- Potter’s New Cyclopaedia