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Everything You Need to Know About Astragalus
By Stephanie ThurrottMedically Reviewed by Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCESReviewed: August 30, 2022Medically ReviewedThis Chinese remedy has been used medicinally since 200 B.C.Sung Min/ShutterstockIf you’re looking for ways to keep your immune system strong and healthy — and who isn’t these days? — you may have come across an herb called astragalus.
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Grace Liu 2 minutes ago
It’s been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, and along with its immune-boosting p...
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It’s been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, and along with its immune-boosting properties, it’s touted as a treatment for colds, seasonal allergies, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, kidney disease, and wound healing, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). You might hear astragalus called by different names, including huáng qí, milk vetch, and beg kei. What Is Astragalus
Astragalus is a perennial herb that grows in parts of China, Mongolia, and Korea.
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The earliest recorded references to astragalus are in the Chinese medical literature, dating from 40...
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The earliest recorded references to astragalus are in the Chinese medical literature, dating from 400 to 200 B.C., according to the journal Aging and Disease. It’s important to keep in mind that when we talk about astragalus we are talking about the species Astragalus membranaceus. Other types of astragalus, including some that grow in the United States, have different components and could make you sick, according to NCCIH.
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Aria Nguyen Member
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These other types of astragalus are generally not used in dietary supplements. You can choose a supplement that lists “Astragalus membranaceus” on the label if you want to be sure. Astragalus roots are powdered and used as a dietary supplement.
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Sofia Garcia 18 minutes ago
It’s considered an adaptogen. “Adaptogens are botanicals that help the body remain resilient in ...
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People often take astragalus to boost their immune system when they expect they might get sick — f...
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It’s considered an adaptogen. “Adaptogens are botanicals that help the body remain resilient in the face of stressors such as infection, illness, or mental, emotional, or environmental stress,” says Kalea Wattles, ND, a naturopathic physician with the Institute for Functional Medicine in Washington state. Common Questions & AnswersWhat is astragalus good for?While there aren’t studies that prove astragalus is effective in people, it’s used to boost immunity and treat colds, seasonal allergies, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, kidney disease, and wounds.Is astragalus safe to take every day?It may be, if you're taking up to 60 grams (g) a day by mouth for up to four months.
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People often take astragalus to boost their immune system when they expect they might get sick — for example, at the beginning of cold and flu season or before springtime allergies kick in.What are the side effects of astragalus?Side effects of astragalus are uncommon but could include rash, itching, nasal symptoms, or an upset stomach. It could also interact with immunosuppressing medication.Who should not take astragalus?People who are on immunosuppressive medications shouldn’t take astragalus.
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It’s not clear whether it’s safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.How do you make astragalus ...
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It’s not clear whether it’s safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.How do you make astragalus tea?You can buy astragalus tea in tea bags or make your own by simmering a tablespoon of dried, shredded astragalus root in two cups of water for 10 minutes. Potential Health Benefits of AstragalusIt’s hard to say for sure what health benefits astragalus might offer. That’s because, according to the NCCIH, there are no high-quality human studies of astragalus for health conditions.
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Sofia Garcia 3 minutes ago
Studies that find possible benefits from astragalus have been conducted on human cells or animals. D...
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Wattles points out that astragalus is a source of antioxidants, so it’s plausible that it offers b...
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Studies that find possible benefits from astragalus have been conducted on human cells or animals. Dr.
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Wattles points out that astragalus is a source of antioxidants, so it’s plausible that it offers benefits similar to those of other antioxidants. “With a lot of these botanicals, there’s great anecdotal evidence, but the research hasn’t quite caught up yet,” she says.
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Hannah Kim 15 minutes ago
Here are some benefits astragalus might offer, according to existing preliminary research.Improved i...
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She also thinks it’s a good option for people who would like to increase their energy level — so...
Here are some benefits astragalus might offer, according to existing preliminary research.Improved immune function Computer models may have identified compounds in astragalus that boost the immune system, according to a study published in June 2021 in Phytomedicine.Kidney health A study performed in mice that was published in November 2020 in Frontiers in Physiology found that astragalus may improve kidney function.Protection against cardiovascular disease A study in rats found that astragalus combined with another herbal medicine, dan shen, may protect against heart disease, according to research published in Drug Design, Development, and Therapy in September 2021.Type 2 diabetes treatment Animal experiments have found that astragalus might help treat type 2 diabetes, as shown in research published in Annals of Translational Medicine in November 2019.Anticancer properties Studies of tumors in animals and cells have found that astragalus may help fight liver, stomach, breast, and ovarian cancer, according to research published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in August 2020. Most Recent in Diet and Nutrition
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Who Should Take Astragalus Although there is no evidence-based research to show that anyone needs to take this adaptogen, Wattles recommends astragalus for anyone at the beginning of cold and flu season, or before seasonal allergies kick in, for its immune-boosting effects.
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She also thinks it’s a good option for people who would like to increase their energy level — so...
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And that’s a lot — Wattles considers 30 g a high dose. Risks and Side Effects of Taking Astragal...
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She also thinks it’s a good option for people who would like to increase their energy level — someone who wakes up after a full night’s sleep and still feels depleted. “I call it ‘wired but tired.’ It's when you’re burnt out but a little anxious,” she says. According to the NCCIH, there haven’t been adverse effects reported in people taking up to 60 g of astragalus daily for up to four months.
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And that’s a lot — Wattles considers 30 g a high dose. Risks and Side Effects of Taking Astragal...
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And that’s a lot — Wattles considers 30 g a high dose. Risks and Side Effects of Taking Astragalus
If you’re considering taking astragalus, or any supplement, it’s a good idea to talk to your primary care provider first to identify any potential interactions with prescriptions or over-the-counter medications or supplements. Astragalus has been found to interact with certain medications used to suppress immune function, according to the NCCIH.
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It’s also unclear whether it’s safe to take astragalus if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. A ...
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It tends to be fairly well tolerated by most people who take it. Like all supplements, astragalus is...
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It’s also unclear whether it’s safe to take astragalus if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. A few people who take astragalus orally have reported rashes, itching, nasal symptoms, or stomach discomfort. While most people take astragalus for a few weeks, some people take it continuously.
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It tends to be fairly well tolerated by most people who take it. Like all supplements, astragalus is...
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Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the same way foods and drugs are. Supplement manufacturers must f...
It tends to be fairly well tolerated by most people who take it. Like all supplements, astragalus isn’t regulated by the U.S.
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Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the same way foods and drugs are. Supplement manufacturers must f...
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You can choose supplements that meet independent quality standards from ConsumerLab.com, NSF, or USP...
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Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the same way foods and drugs are. Supplement manufacturers must follow practices that prevent the inclusion of the wrong ingredients or the wrong amounts of ingredients, reduce contamination, and help ensure labels are accurate.
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You can choose supplements that meet independent quality standards from ConsumerLab.com, NSF, or USP. But testing doesn’t prove that a product is safe or effective. Most Popular in Diet and Nutrition
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The Best Way to Take AstragalusAstragalus is a powdered form of the plant’s root, so it’s common to take it in capsule form, Wattles says.
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A typical dose is 500 milligrams (mg) taken two or three times a day. You can add the powdered root ...
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You can buy astragalus tea in tea bags, or you can make your own tea by simmering a tablespoon of dr...
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A typical dose is 500 milligrams (mg) taken two or three times a day. You can add the powdered root to smoothies, oatmeal, or baked goods, and astragalus is also available in tinctures, glycerites (alcohol-free substitutes for tinctures), and as a cream you can apply to your skin. You can also brew it as a tea.
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You can buy astragalus tea in tea bags, or you can make your own tea by simmering a tablespoon of dr...
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You can buy astragalus tea in tea bags, or you can make your own tea by simmering a tablespoon of dried astragalus root with one cup of water for 10 minutes, then straining, according to Wattles. “If you have a sore throat, astragalus tea can coat those irritated membranes,” she says. You’ll often find astragalus sold in combination with other botanicals with antiviral claims, such as echinacea and lemon balm.
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Astragalus is an herb that’s been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many centuries ...
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Astragalus and SkinAstragalus is becoming more common in skincare products such as creams and serums, and there is some very preliminary research to show that it may protect skin against photoaging, or skin damage from sunlight and UV rays. There’s not much research on the safety or effectiveness of astragalus on the skin, but a study of human skin cells published in Aging and Disease in December 2017 found that astragalus might protect against UVA rays.
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Summary
Astragalus is an herb that’s been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many centuries ...
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Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
Astragalus. National Center for Complementary and Integrative H...
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Summary
Astragalus is an herb that’s been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many centuries to boost the immune system. Proponents say it may also improve heart and kidney health and fight diabetes and cancer. There’s not much research available to prove its effectiveness, but the NCCIH says it may be safe.
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Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
Astragalus. National Center for Complementary and Integrative H...
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Anti-Tumor Effects and Mechanisms of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and Its Specific Immunopotentiat...
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
Astragalus. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. August 2020Immune-Supporting Astragalus Tea. Weil Lifestyle.Zhang J, et al. Astragaloside IV Derived From Astragalus membranaceus: A Research Review on the Pharmacological Effects. Pharmacological Advances in Natural Product Drug Discovery. 2020Li S, et al.
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Anti-Tumor Effects and Mechanisms of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and Its Specific Immunopotentiat...
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Anti-Tumor Effects and Mechanisms of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and Its Specific Immunopotentiation: Status and Prospect. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. August 2020.Liu J, et al. Systematic Exploration of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax ginseng as Immune Regulators: Insights From the Comparative Biological and Computational Analysis. Phytomedicine. June 2021.Rui-Zhi T, et al. Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and Panax Notoginseng Formula (A&P) Combined With Bifidobacterium Contribute a Renoprotective Effect in Chronic Kidney Disease Through Inhibiting Macrophage Inflammatory Response in Kidney and Intestine. Frontiers in Physiology.
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November 2020.Zhang Y, et al. The Synergistic Effects of Astragalus mongholicus and Salvia miltio...
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Anti-Aging Implications of Astragalus Membranaceus (Huangqi): A Well-Known Chinese Tonic. Aging a...
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Hannah Kim Member
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November 2020.Zhang Y, et al. The Synergistic Effects of Astragalus mongholicus and Salvia miltiorrhiza on Coronary Heart Disease Identified by Network Pharmacology and Experiment. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. September 2021.Li J, et al. Based on Network Pharmacology to Explore the Molecular Mechanisms of Astragalus embranaceus for Treating T2 Diabetes Mellitus. Annals of Translational Medicine. November 2019.Liu P, et al.
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Anti-Aging Implications of Astragalus Membranaceus (Huangqi): A Well-Known Chinese Tonic. Aging a...
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Anti-Aging Implications of Astragalus Membranaceus (Huangqi): A Well-Known Chinese Tonic. Aging and Disease. December 2017.Shan H, et al. The Effects of Astragalus membranaceus Active Extracts on Autophagy-Related Diseases. International Journal of Molecular Science.
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