What Is Astragalus?
Astragalus is a perennial herb that grows in parts of China, Mongolia, and Korea. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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. And that’s a lot — Wattles considers 30 g a high dose. 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. It tends to be fairly well tolerated by most people who take it. Like all supplements, astragalus isn’t regulated by the U.S. 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. 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. You can also brew it as a tea. 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.
