Astragalus is important in Chinese folk medicine. It enhances the metal element of Chinese philosophy, which has to do with the body’s defenses. It has been used to treat infections of the mucous membranes, especially the urinary and respiratory tracts. It was often combined with other herbs to strengthen the body against disease. One such combination is with ginseng to prevent winter colds and viruses. It may be helpful to diabetics by reducing the complications of poor circulation, high blood pressure and failure to heal wounds.
Astragaus is an “adaptogen”. An adaptogen is an herb that increases the body’s ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promote or restore normal physiological functioning, as opposed to triggering a specific effect. It contains antioxidants, which protect cells against damage, and is antiinflammatory. Astragalus is used to protect and support the immune system, preventing colds and upper respiratory infections. It has antiviral and antibacterial properties. It has been used to lower blood pressure, treat diabetes, and protect the liver. People sometimes use it on the skin for wound care.
In the United States, researchers have looked at astragalus as a possible treatment for people whose immune systems have been weakened by chemotherapy or radiation. In these studies, astragalus supplements seem to help people recover faster and live longer. Research on using astragalus for people with AIDS has produced mixed results.
Astragalus is a perennial plant, about 16 to 36 inches tall, that is native to the northern and eastern parts of China, as well as Mongolia and Korea. It
Esperately Astragalus (Astragalus onobrychis).
has hairy stems with leaves made up of 12 to 18 pairs of leaflets. The root is the medicinal part of the plant, and is usually harvested from 4-year-old plants.
Precautions
At recommended doses, astragalus has no serious side effects and can generally be used safely. It does interact with other herbs and medications, and any decision to take it should be discussed with a physician. It has not been established that astragalus is safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The decision to take any herb should be discussed with your doctor. People with autoimmune disease should especially speak with a doctor before taking Astagalus because it may stimulate the immune system.
Astragalus may interfere with immune-suppressing drugs. If you have an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, or take cyclophosphamide, a medication used to reduce the chances of rejection in transplant recipients, or corticosteroids, do not take astragalus.
Astragalus can make it harder for the body to get rid of lithium. It should be avoided by patients who take lithium, because dangerously high levels of the drug could build up.
Research
Chen KT, Su CH, Hsin LH, et al. Reducing fatigue of athletes following oral administration of huangqi jianzhong tang. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2002;23(8):757-761.
Cheng Y, Tang K, Wu S, et al. Astragalus polysaccharides lowers plasma cholesterol through mechanisms distinct from statins. PLoS One. 2011;6(11):e27437.
Duan P, Wang ZM. [Clinical study on effect of Astragalus in efficacy enhancing and toxicity reducing of chemotherapy in patients of malignant tumor]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2002;22(7):515-517.
Hao Y, Qiu QY, Wu J. Effect of Astragalus polysaccharides in promoting neutrophil-vascular endothelial cell adhesion and expression of related adhesive molecules. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2004;24(5):427-430.
Hei ZQ, Zhang JJ, Lin SQ, et al. [Effects of Astragalus membranaceus injection on nitric oxide and endothelin concentration of intestinal mucosa after hemorrhage shock-reperfusion in rats]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2004;29(5):444-447.
Huang XY, Zhang SZ, Wang WX. Enhanced antitumor efficacy with combined administration of astagalus and pterostilbene for melanoma. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(3):1163-9.
Jia XH, Yin BH, Li JC. [Effect of astragalus injection on U937 leukemia cells proliferation and apoptosis and relevant molecular mechanisms]. Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi. 2013;15(12):1128-33.
Kim SH, Lee SE, Oh H, et al. The radioprotective effects of bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang: a prescription of traditional Chinesemedicine astragalus. J Chin Med. 2002;30(1):127-137.
Li M, Wang W, Xue J, Gu Y, Lin S. Meta-analysis of the clinical value of Astragalus membranaceus in diabetic nephropathy. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;133(2):412-9.
Mao SP, Cheng KL, Zhou YF. [Modulatory effect of Astragalus membranaceus on Th1/Th2 cytokine in patients with herpes simplex keratitis]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2004;24(2):121-123.
Matkovic Z, Zivkovic V, Korica M, et al. Efficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Phytother Res. 2010;24:175-81.
Shao BM, Xu W, Dai H, et al. A study on the immune receptors for polysaccharides from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus, a Chinese medicinal herb. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004;320(4):1103-1111.
Shi FS, Yang ZG, Di GP. [Effect of Astragalus saponin on vascular endothelial cell and its function in burn patients]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2001;21(10):750-751.
Wang D, Zhuang Y, Tian Y, Thomas GN, Ying M, Tomlinson B. Study of the effects of total flavonoids of Astragalus on atherosclerosis formation and potential mechanisms. Oxid Med Cell Longrev. 2012;2012:282383.
Yang QY, Lu S, Sun HR. Clinical effect of Astragalus granule of different dosages on quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure. Chin J Integr Med. 2011;17(2):146-9.
Zhang HW, Lin ZX, Xu C, Leung C, Chan LS. Astragalus (a traditional Chines medicine
