Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
Overview
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), known in China as huang qi, is a perennial reaching about 16 in (40 cm), with hairy stems and compound leaves composed of multiple leaflet pairs. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is a sweet, slightly warming herb often used to boost energy, strengthen immunity, and support overall vitality. Modern research suggests it may benefit heart function, kidney health, and immune response.
Traditional uses & properties
Adaptogen: Helps the body adapt to stress, boosts stamina, and strengthens resilience. Anti-inflammatory & Antiviral: Supports the immune system, helping to prevent or address viral and bacterial infections. Diuretic & Vasodilator: Can reduce fluid retention, support normal kidney function, and improve circulation. Hypotensive & Immune Amphoteric: Potentially lowers blood pressure, and modulates immune function by either stimulating or balancing the immune response, depending on the body’s needs.
Preparations & dosage
Dried root (1:5, 40% alcohol); 2–4 ml (0.4–0.8 tsp.) 3 times daily. The tincture is not as effective as other forms of administration.
1,000–3,000 mg, 3 times daily
Dried root (1:8); 10–20 ml (2–4 tsp.) 3 times daily
Dried root (1:8, 50% honey); 2–3 tsp. 3 times daily
1–3 cups daily
Safety & precautions
Skin Disorders & Acute Illness: It is generally recommended not to use astragalus during active skin disorders or acute infections. Individual Variation: Although widely regarded as safe, astragalus should be used with care if there are any underlying health issues, and it may need to be avoided in certain inflammatory skin conditions.
Drug & food interactions
Astragalus appears to alter the immune response, but the effect this has on treatment with interleukins, interferons, antiretrovirals and antineoplastics does not appear to be established.
No interactions found.
Preliminary evidence suggests that astragalus may be beneficial when given with interferon-alfa or interleukin-2. In a controlled study in 235 patients, astragalus appeared to act synergistically with interferon-alfa for the topical treatment of chronic cervicitis associated with viral infection. Local application of astragalus extract plus interferon was similar in efficacy to twice the dose of interferon alone, and more effective than astragalus alone.
Long-term astragalus use does not appear to reduce the efficacy of zidovudine or zalcitabine. A randomised, placebo-controlled study, found that a combination of five herbs containing astragalus, Glycyrrhiza glaba L. (Liquorice), Artemisia capillaris Thunb., Morus alba L. (Mulberry) and Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) may enhance the activity of antiretrovirals in patients with HIV. Over a period of 24 weeks antiretroviral-naive subjects received a combination of zidovudine 200 mg three times daily and zalcitabine 750 micrograms three times daily plus either the combined herbs 2.5 g three times daily or placebo. Forty patients receiving the herbs had a significantly greater decline in viral load than 20 patients receiving placebo. In addition, the CD4 cell count in the herbal group was significantly increased from the baseline value from week 12 onwards. No serious adverse events were reported in either of the two groups.
No interactions found.
Astragalus improved the response to chemotherapy with mitomycin, a vinca alkaloid and cisplatin in one study. Limited experimental data suggest that astragalus may diminish the immunosuppressant effects of cyclophosphamide. In one small randomised clinical study in Chinese patients with non-small cell lung cancer, the addition of an infusion of astragalus to a chemotherapy regimen of mitomycin, vinca alkaloid and cisplatin (MVP) improved response rate (40% versus 36.7%) and median survival (11 months versus 7 months), when compared with a control group receiving MVP alone
Habitat
Native to Mongolia and northern/eastern China, astragalus thrives in sandy, well-drained soil and full sunlight. Grown from seed in spring or autumn, the roots are harvested from four-year-old plants in the fall.