It does not seem to have any direct effect on malignancy, meaning it is not cytotoxic, but it strengthens the immune system in such a way as to make the battle with cancer somewhat less taxing on the patient. This herb was quite rare outside of China until a friend of mine offered a thousand dollar reward to anyone who would provide him a source that could be propagated in the States. One of my students won the prize and organically grown astragalus is now widely available. I could find live plants at the outdoor farmer's market in Santa Fe where I used to live. The roots are harvested after 4-5 years of growth and usually sliced into strips that resemble tongue depressors.
Many herbalists use echinacea as a virtual panacea for infection and immune boosting.
It is clinically proven to be be a T-cell potentiator, but the studies I did, referencing historic sources, claimed that echinacea is somewhat disappointing in cancer treatment, except perhaps liver cancer. We therefore made a formula using these herbs plus others we feel might be more specific to the needs of cancer patients. As just noted, the formula contains goldenseal and baptisia. Dr. John Pattison felt that goldenseal has a specific constitutional effect on cancer. Dr. Eli Jones used baptisia extensively to combat infection.