Astragalus is a plant that can be taken as a supplement or made into liquid extracts, teas, and powders. Health benefits of astragalus root may include boosting your immune system and improving kidney or heart function.

Astragalus is an herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.

It has many purported health benefits, including immune-boosting, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects.

Astragalus is believed to prolong life and used to treat a wide variety of ailments, such as fatigue, allergies and the common cold. It’s also used against heart disease, diabetes and other conditions.

This article reviews the many potential benefits of astragalus.

Astragalus, also known as huáng qí or milkvetch, is most commonly known for its use in traditional Chinese medicine (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source).

Though there are over 2,000 species of astragalus, only two are primarily used in supplements — Astragalus membranaceus and Astragalus mongholicus (2Trusted Source).

Specifically, the root of the plant is made into many different forms of supplements, including liquid extracts, capsules, powders and teas.

Astragalus is sometimes also given as an injection or by IV in a hospital setting.

The root contains many active plant compounds, which are believed to be responsible for its potential benefits (3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source).

For example, its active compounds may help strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation (5Trusted Source).

There’s still limited research on astragalus, but it has uses in treating the common cold, seasonal allergies, heart conditions, kidney disease, chronic fatigue and more (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).

Astragalus contains beneficial plant compounds that may enhance your immune system.

The primary role of your immune system is to protect your body against harmful invaders, including bacteria, germs and viruses that can cause illness (7Trusted Source).

Some evidence shows that astragalus may increase your body’s production of white blood cells, which are the cells of your immune system responsible for preventing illness (6Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).

In animal research, astragalus root has been shown to help kill bacteria and viruses in mice with infections (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source).

Though research is limited, it may also help fight viral infections in humans, including the common cold and infection of the liver (11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).

While these studies are promising, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of astragalus for preventing and treating infections.

10 Vegetables That Are Good for Your Immune System
A strong immune system helps to keep a person healthy. Can specific foods boost the immune system? Watch this video to find out.
0 seconds of 3 minutes, 11 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
03:11
03:11
 

Astragalus may help improve heart function in those with certain heart conditions.

It’s thought to widen your blood vessels and increase the amount of blood pumped from your heart (14Trusted Source).

In a clinical study, patients with heart failure were given 2.25 grams of astragalus twice daily for two weeks, along with conventional treatment. They experienced greater improvements in heart function compared to those receiving standard treatment alone (15Trusted Source).

In another study, patients with heart failure received 60 grams per day of astragalus by IV along with conventional treatment. They also had more significant improvements in symptoms than those receiving standard treatment alone (16Trusted Source).

However, other studies in patients with heart failure have failed to demonstrate any benefits for heart function (17Trusted Source).

Additionally, some studies suggest that astragalus may reduce symptoms of myocarditis, an inflammatory condition of the heart. Yet, findings are mixed (18Trusted Source).

Chemotherapy has many negative side effects. According to some studies, astragalus may help alleviate some of them.

For example, one clinical study in people undergoing chemotherapy found that astragalus given by IV reduced nausea by 36%, vomiting by 50% and diarrhea by 59% (19Trusted Source).

Similarly, several other studies have demonstrated benefits of the herb for nausea and vomiting in individuals undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer (20Trusted Source).

Additionally, one clinical study showed that 500 mg of astragalus by IV three times weekly may improve the extreme tiredness associated with chemotherapy. However, astragalus only appeared to be helpful during the first week of treatment (21Trusted Source).

The active compounds in astragalus root may help lower blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

In fact, it has been identified as the most frequently prescribed herb to help with diabetes management in China (22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source).

In animal and test-tube studies, astragalus has been shown to improve sugar metabolism and reduce blood sugar levels. In one animal study, it also led to weight loss (24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source).

Though more research is needed, studies in humans so far point to similar effects.

For example, studies have shown that taking 40–60 grams of astragalus per day has the potential to improve blood sugar levels after fasting and after meals in people with type 2 diabetes when taken daily for up to four months (27Trusted Source).

Astragalus may support kidney health by improving blood flow and laboratory markers of kidney function, such as measures of protein in the urine.

Proteinuria is a condition in which abnormal amounts of protein are found in urine, which is a sign that the kidneys may be damaged or not functioning normally (28Trusted Source).

Astragalus has been shown to improve proteinuria in several studies involving individuals with kidney disease (29Trusted Source).

It may also help prevent infections in people with reduced kidney function (30Trusted Source).

For example, 7.5–15 grams of astragalus taken daily for three to six months reduced the risk of infection by 38% in people with a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome. However, more studies are needed to confirm this effect (31Trusted Source).

There are many preliminary studies on astragalus that indicate the herb may have other potential benefits, including:

  • Improved symptoms of chronic fatigue: Some evidence shows astragalus may help improve tiredness in people with chronic fatigue syndrome when combined with other herbal supplements (29Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source).
  • Anticancer effects: In test-tube studies, astragalus has promoted apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in various types of cancer cells (33Trusted Source, 34Trusted Source, 35Trusted Source).
  • Improved seasonal allergy symptoms: Though studies are limited, one clinical study found that 160 mg of astragalus twice daily may reduce sneezing and runny nose in individuals with seasonal allergies (36Trusted Source).
  • Fighting autoimmune disease: Astragalus may be helpful for slowing the progression of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (37).

For most people, astragalus is well tolerated.

However, minor side effects have been reported in studies, such as a rash, itching, runny nose, nausea and diarrhea (2Trusted Source, 38).

When given by IV, astragalus may have more serious side effects, such as irregular heartbeat. It should only be administered by IV or injection under medical supervision (17Trusted Source).

Though astragalus is safe for most people, the following people should avoid it:

  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women: There’s currently not enough research to demonstrate that astragalus is safe while pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Individuals taking immunosuppressant drugs: Since astragalus may increase the activity of your immune system, it may decrease the effects of immunosuppressant drugs (2Trusted Source).

Astragalus may also have effects on blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Therefore, use this herb with caution if you have diabetes or issues with your blood pressure (2Trusted Source).

Astragalus root can be found in many different forms. Supplements are available as capsules and liquid extracts. The root may also be ground into a powder, which can be brewed into teas (2Trusted Source).

Decoctions are also popular. These are made by boiling the astragalus root to release its active compounds.

Though there’s no official consensus on the most effective form or dosage of astragalus, 1–60 grams per day is typical (39).

Additionally, research shows the following oral doses to be useful for specific conditions:

  • Congestive heart failure: 2–7.5 grams of powdered astragalus twice daily for up to 30 days, along with conventional treatment (15Trusted Source).
  • Blood sugar control: 40–60 grams of astragalus as a decoction for up to four months (27Trusted Source).
  • Kidney disease: 7.5–15 grams of powdered astragalus twice daily for up to six months to reduce the risk of infections (31Trusted Source).
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome: 30 grams of astragalus root made into a decoction with several other herbs (32Trusted Source).
  • Seasonal allergies: Two 80-mg capsules of astragalus extract daily for six weeks (36Trusted Source).

Based on the research, oral doses of up to 60 grams per day for up to four months seem to be safe for most people. However, there are no studies to determine the safety of high doses in the long term.

Keep in mind that in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), single herbs are rarely administered and polyherbal formulas are the standard.

In TCM, astragalus would be just one of the ingredients in a formula, which may be a traditional formula used for thousands of years, or a customized formula written specific for the patient.

Astragalus may improve your immune system and symptoms of chronic fatigue and seasonal allergies.

It may also aid people with certain heart conditions, kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.

Though no dosage recommendation exists, up to 60 grams daily for up to four months appears to be safe for most people.

Always discuss the use of supplements with your healthcare provider first.