Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

by MedlinePlus

Astragalus products are derived from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus or related species, which are native to China. In traditional Chinese medicine, astragalus is commonly found in mixtures with other herbs, and is used in the treatment of numerous ailments, including heart, liver, and kidney diseases, as well as cancer, viral infections, and immune system disorders. Western herbalists began using astragalus in the 1800s as an ingredient in various tonics. The use of astragalus became popular in the 1980s based on theories about anti-cancer properties, although these proposed effects have not been clearly demonstrated in reliable human studies.

Some medicinal uses of astragalus are based on its proposed immune stimulatory properties, reported in preliminary laboratory and animal experiments, but not conclusively demonstrated in humans. Most astragalus research has been conducted in China, and has not been well designed or reported.

Gummy sap (tragacanth) from astragalus is used as a thickener (ice cream), emulsifier, denture adhesive and anti-diarrheal agent.

Synonyms

Astragalus trigonus, Astragalus gummifera, Astragalus mollissimus, Astragalus lentiginosus , astragel, baak kei, beg kei, bei qi, buck qi, Fabacea (family), goat's horn, goat's thorn, green dragon, gum dragon, gum tragacanthae, gummi tragacanthae, hoang ky, hog gum, huang-chi, Huang Qi, huangoi, huangqi, hwanggi, ji cao, Leguminosae (family), locoweed, membranous milk vetch, milk vetch, mongolian milk, mongolian milk vetch, neimeng hhuangqi, ogi, ougi, radix astragali, spino santo, Syrian tragacanth, tai shen, tragacanth, wong kei, yellow vetch, Zhongfengnaomitong.

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Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Uses based on scientific evidence

Anti-viral activity

Anti-viral activity has been reported with the use of astragalus in laboratory and animal studies. Limited human research has examined the use of astragalus for viral infections in the lung, heart (pericarditis), liver (hepatitis B and C), cervix (papilloma virus), and in HIV disease. Studies have included combinations of astragalus with the drug interferon, or as a part of herbal mixtures. However, most studies have been small and poorly designed. Due to a lack of well-designed research, no firm conclusions can be drawn.

Cancer

Although early laboratory and animal studies report increased immune cell function and reduced cancer cell growth associated with the use of astragalus, there is no reliable human evidence in these areas. Due to a lack of well-designed research, a firm conclusion cannot be drawn.

Chemotherapy side effects

In Chinese medicine, astragalus-containing herbal mixtures are sometimes used with the intention to reduce side effects of cancer treatments. Due to a lack of well-designed research, a firm conclusion cannot be drawn.

Coronary artery disease

In Chinese medicine, herbal mixtures containing astragalus have been used to treat heart diseases. There are several human case reports of reduced symptoms and improved heart function, although these are not well described. High quality human research is necessary before a conclusion can be drawn.

Heart failure

In Chinese medicine, herbal mixtures containing astragalus have been used to treat various heart diseases. There are several human case reports of reduced symptoms and improved heart function, and diuretic ("water pill") effects, although these are not well described. High quality human research is necessary before a conclusion can be drawn.

Immune stimulation

Astragalus has been suggested as an immune system stimulant in preliminary laboratory and animal research, and in traditional accounts. Reliable human studies are lacking. High quality human research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

Liver protection

Several animal and human studies report that astragalus may protect the liver from damage related to toxins or hepatitis B and C. Overall, this research has been poorly designed and reported. Astragalus alone has not been well evaluated. Better quality research is necessary before a conclusion can be drawn.

Low white blood cell count

Astragalus has been suggested as an immune system stimulant in preliminary laboratory and animal research, and in traditional accounts. There are published reports from China of white blood cell counts increasing during the use of astragalus preparations, although details are limited. Reliable scientific study has not been conducted in this area. High quality human research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

Myocarditis/endocarditis (heart infections)

Anti-viral activity has been reported in laboratory studies and animal models of myocarditis/endocarditis. Human research is limited in this area, and further research is necessary before a conclusion can be drawn.

Renal failure

Several animal and human studies report that kidney damage from toxins and kidney failure may be improved with the use of astragalus-containing herbal mixtures. Overall, this research has been poorly designed and reported. Astragalus alone has not been well evaluated. Better quality research is necessary before a conclusion can be drawn.

Upper respiratory tract infection

Astragalus is often used in Chinese medicine as a part of herbal mixtures to prevent or treat upper respiratory tract infections. Anti-viral activity has been reported in laboratory and animal studies, and in limited human reports. However, most studies have been small and poorly designed. Due to a lack of well-designed research, no firm conclusions can be drawn.

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease), aging, AIDS/HIV, allergies, Alzheimer's disease, anemia, angina, ankylosing spondylitis, anorexia, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, asthma, blood thinner, bone-marrow suppression from cancer or HIV, bronchitis, cardiac ischemia, cervicitis, "chi deficiency" (fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite), chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic hepatitis, cleanser, cyclosporine-induced immune suppression, cytomegalovirus, dementia, demulcent, denture adhesive (astragalus sap), dermatitis, diabetes, diabetic foot ulcers, diabetic neuropathy, diarrhea, digestion enhancement, diuretic (urination stimulant), edema, fatigue, fever, gangrene, gastrointestinal disorders, genital herpes, graft-versus-host disease, hearing damage from toxins/gentamicin, heart attack, hemorrhage (bleeding), hemorrhoids, herpes simplex keratitis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, HIV/AIDS, hyperthyroid, insomnia, irregular menstruation, joint pain, laxative, leprosy, leukemia, liver disease, low blood platelets, lung cancer, memory, menstrual disorders, metabolic disorders, minimal brain dysfunction, myalgia (muscle pain), myasthenia gravis, nephritis, night sweats, palpitations, pelvic congestion syndrome, postpartum fever, postpartum urinary retention, prostatitis, rectal prolapse, rotovirus enterocolitis (infants), shortness of breath, smoking cessation, smoking withdrawal symptoms, sperm motility, stamina/endurance enhancement, stomach ulcer, stroke, sweating (excessive), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), tissue oxygenation, uterine prolapse, uterine bleeding, weight loss, wound healing.

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