Astragalus: Benefits and Adverse Effects

Astragalus is a dietary supplement that is one of the most commonly known herbs in traditional Chinese medicine.  Astragalus has many species, but only two have known medical benefits and are used in supplements.  These two are Astragalus mongholicus and Astragalus membranaceus.

The root of Astragalus is formulated to make various types of supplements such as teas, capsules, liquid extracts, and capsules. In some hospital settings, astragalus formulations are used as intravenous injections. The health effects or benefits of the root of Astragalus are due to active plant compounds.

Health Benefits

Strengthen Your Immune System:

The primary role of the Astragalus in our body is boosting the immune system. It is supposed to be due to the active plant compounds present in the astragalus root. The immune system enhances your body's defense mechanism, thus preventing different pathogenic agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores.

According to researchers, Astragalus enhances the number and function of white blood cells (WBCs). White blood cells are the main component of our body's immune system that fight pathogen and destroy them. Different animal trials have supported these effects of Astragalus.
In these studies, researchers have observed that Astragalus kills bacteria and viruses in rabbits suffering from infections.  Similarly, in humans, Astragalus has shown benefits against liver infections and the common cold. 

 

Improves Heart Function:

Astragalus has a vasodilator (expanding) effect on vessels that improves the blood supply to different parts of the body. Due to this effect, Astragalus improves heart functioning in patients suffering from various diseases. According to researchers, Astragalus shows significant benefits if used in combination with conventional drugs.

A clinical study claimed that when atherosclerotic patients consumed 2 grams of Astragalus along with vasodilators and anti-thrombotic medications, they showed clinical improvement in symptoms and disease progression.

 

Improve Blood Sugar levels:

Astragalus controls blood sugar and insulin levels in patients who have diabetes type 2.  If a diabetic patient consumes Astragalus root combined with anti-diabetic drugs, he may observe more positive effects.

 

Prevent Side Effects of Chemotherapy:

The administration of Astragalus intravenously after chemotherapy reduces chemotherapy's serious side effects such as bone marrow suppression, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.

 

Treat Allergic Conditions:

Astragalus can treat and prevent hay fever symptoms such as itching, seasonal allergies, and sneezing, but the mechanism is not yet well understood.

 

Adverse Effects:

Astragalus has two common routes of administration that are oral and intravenous, and both are likely safe. However, an overdose may result in side effects such as itching, gastrointestinal distress, runny nose, dizziness, palpitations. Healthcare professionals has recommended its oral and intravenous dose 60g/day and 80g/day respectively.

 

Contraindications:

Nursing and pregnant women should avoid the use of astragalus root.  Similarly, if you have autoimmune diseases like SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus),  multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, you should not consume astragalus root. 

 

Conclusion:

Astragalus can aid patients with different medical conditions such as heart diseases, allergies, diabetes, post-chemotherapy complications, and immunosuppressive condition. But it would be best if you consume in appropriate doses. Overdosage or existing autoimmune disease may cause adverse effects.

 

References:

[1]Li, X., Qu, L., Dong, Y., Han, L., Liu, E., Fang, S., Zhang, Y., & Wang, T. (2014). A review of recent research progress on the astragalus genus. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 19(11), 18850–18880. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules191118850

[1] Li, Z. X., Zhao, G. D., Xiong, W., Linghu, K. G., Ma, Q. S., Cheang, W. S., Yu, H., & Wang, Y. (2019). Immunomodulatory effects of a new whole ingredients extract from Astragalus: a combined evaluation on chemistry and pharmacology. Chinese medicine, 14, 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-019-0234-0’
[1]Qiu, L. H., Zhang, B. Q., Lian, M. J., Xie, X. J., & Chen, P. (2017). Vascular protective effects of Astragalus membranaceus and its main constituents in rats with chronic hyperhomocysteinemia. Experimental and therapeutic medicine, 14(3), 2401–2407. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2017.4739
[1]Agyemang, K., Han, L., Liu, E., Zhang, Y., Wang, T., & Gao, X. (2013). Recent Advances in Astragalus membranaceus Anti-Diabetic Research: Pharmacological Effects of Its Phytochemical Constituents. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2013, 654643. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/654643
[1] Zheng, Y., Ren, W., Zhang, L., Zhang, Y., Liu, D., & Liu, Y. (2020). A Review of the Pharmacological Action of Astragalus Polysaccharide. Frontiers in pharmacology, 11, 349. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00349
[1] Guo, Z., Lou, Y., Kong, M., Luo, Q., Liu, Z., & Wu, J. (2019). A Systematic Review of Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics on Astragali Radix: Implications for Astragali Radix as a Personalized Medicine. International journal of molecular sciences, 20(6), 1463. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20061463