Astragalus

Keywords: bei qi, huang qi, ogi, hwanggi, milk vetch, heart function, immune system

Introduction

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb astragalus—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Native to China, astragalus has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. In the United States, the herb gained popularity in the 1980s. There are actually over 2,000 species of astragalus; however, the two related species Astragalus membranaceusand Astragalus mongholicus are the ones primarily used for health purposes.

Common Name—astragalus, bei qi, huang qi, ogi, hwanggi, milk vetch

Latin Names—Astragalus membranaceus, Astragalus mongholicus

What Astragalus Is Used For

Historically, astragalus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine, usually in combination with other herbs, to support and enhance the immune system. It is still widely used in China for chronic hepatitis and as an adjunctive therapy in cancer.

It is also used to prevent and treat common colds and upper respiratory infections.

Astragalus has also been used for heart disease.

How Astragalus Is Used

The root of the astragalus plant is typically used in soups, teas, extracts, or capsules. Astragalus is generally used with other herbs, such as ginseng, angelica, and licorice.

What the Science Says

The evidence for using astragalus for any health condition is limited. High-quality clinical trials (studies in people) are generally lacking. There is some preliminary evidence to suggest that astragalus, either alone or in combination with other herbs, may have potential benefits for the immune system, heart, and liver, and as an adjunctive therapy for cancer.

NCCAM-funded investigators are studying the effects of astragalus on the body, particularly on the immune system.

Side Effects and Cautions

Astragalus is considered safe for most adults. Its possible side effects are not well known because astragalus is generally used in combination with other herbs.

Astragalus may interact with medications that suppress the immune system, such as the drug cyclophosphamide taken by cancer patients and similar drugs taken by organ transplant recipients. It may also affect blood sugar levels and blood pressure.

People should be aware that some astragalus species, usually not found in dietary supplements used by humans, can be toxic. For example, several species that grow in the United States contain the neurotoxin swainsonine and have caused "locoweed" poisoning in animals. Other species contain potentially toxic levels of selenium.

Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care. For tips about talking with your health care providers about CAM, see NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign.

Search the scientific literature for potential herb-drug interactions

Sources

Astragalus. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturaldatabase.com on April 21, 2009.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturalstandard.com on April 21, 2009.

Upton R. Astragalus. In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:25–30.

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/astragalus/