Wise Mind Herbs

The information on this page has been prepared with reference to published scientific literature, not by a medically qualified expert. It is not medical advice. Any decision to use a supplement or herb-based product is your responsibility. Consult a suitably qualified medical professional, especially if you have underlying conditions. Remember, nothing is for everyone, and not everything sold is what it claims to be. Some things work for some people, some of the time.

Astragalus

Astragalus, primarily derived from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus (also known as Astragalus propinquus) and Astragalus mongholicus, is a traditional herb that has been used in Chinese medicine (where it is known as "Huang Qi") for centuries. Modern scientific research has begun to investigate its purported health benefits, though the quality of evidence varies considerably across conditions.

Botanical Information and Common Names

The primary medicinal species are Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge and Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, both belonging to the Fabaceae family. Common names include milk vetch, locoweed, and goat's-thorn. It's important to note that there are over 2,000 species in the Astragalus genus, and not all have medicinal properties. Some species (particularly those known as "locoweeds" like Astragalus lentiginosus) can be toxic and contain swainsonine, which can cause neurological damage in livestock. These should not be confused with the medicinal varieties.

Active Compounds

The primary bioactive compounds in Astragalus include polysaccharides (particularly astragalans), triterpene saponins (astragalosides I-VII, with astragaloside IV being most studied), flavonoids (including isoflavones and flavonols), and various amino acids. Most research focuses on standardized extracts containing specific percentages of astragalosides (particularly astragaloside IV) and polysaccharides.

Evidence-Based Health Benefits

Current peer-reviewed research suggests potential benefits in the following areas, though the strength of evidence varies:

• Immune function enhancement: Multiple studies suggest immunomodulatory effects, including increased production of white blood cells, enhanced macrophage activity, and improved natural killer cell function (Jiang et al., 2020).
• Cardiovascular protection: Research indicates potential benefits for heart health through antioxidant effects, improved endothelial function, and anti-inflammatory activity (Yang et al., 2020).
• Anti-diabetic effects: Studies show potential improvements in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity (Li et al., 2022).
• Nephroprotective effects: Some evidence for protection against kidney damage, particularly in diabetic nephropathy (Zhang et al., 2021).
• Anti-fatigue and adaptogenic properties: Limited but promising evidence for reducing fatigue and supporting stress resistance (Wang et al., 2019).
• Hepatoprotective effects: Some studies suggest liver-protective properties against various toxins and oxidative stress (Liu et al., 2018).
• Adjunctive cancer therapy: Some evidence for potential benefits when used alongside conventional cancer treatments, possibly reducing side effects and improving quality of life (Ma et al., 2023).

Conditions with Limited or Insufficient Evidence

Despite traditional use claims, scientific evidence is currently limited or inconsistent for:

• Common cold prevention and treatment
• Allergic rhinitis and asthma
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Wound healing
• Cognitive enhancement
• Anti-aging effects

It's important to note that most studies have methodological limitations, including small sample sizes, heterogeneous interventions, and varying quality. Very few conditions have robust, replicated clinical evidence supporting astragalus as a standalone treatment.

Recommended Dosages

Dosages vary based on preparation type and intended use:

• Standardized extract (typically 0.4-1% astragaloside IV): 250-500 mg, 2-3 times daily
• Dried root: 2-6 g daily, often prepared as decoction
• Fluid extract (1:1): 2-4 mL, 3 times daily
• Tincture (1:5): 3-5 mL, 3 times daily
• Astragalus polysaccharides: 1.5-3 g daily in clinical studies

Most clinical studies utilize standardized extracts containing specific percentages (typically 40-70%) of polysaccharides and/or 0.4-1% astragaloside IV. The efficacious dose of astragaloside IV appears to be around 5-20 mg daily based on available research.

Safety, Side Effects, and Contraindications

Astragalus is generally considered safe when used as directed, with few reported adverse effects in clinical studies. However, potential side effects include:

• Gastrointestinal disturbances (mild diarrhea, abdominal discomfort)
• Allergic reactions (rare)
• Potential immunostimulatory effects that may be problematic for autoimmune conditions
• Theoretical risk of interference with immunosuppressant medications

Contraindications include pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient safety data), autoimmune diseases (due to immune-stimulating effects), and concurrent use of immunosuppressive drugs. There are also potential interactions with medications metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, anticoagulants, and antihypertensive drugs.

Studies on High-Dose Administration

There is a significant knowledge gap regarding high-dose administration of astragalus. Most studies have not systematically evaluated dose-response relationships beyond the ranges mentioned above. Limited toxicology studies in animals suggest a high safety margin, with no observed adverse effects at doses substantially higher than typical therapeutic doses. However, systematic human studies exploring potential benefits or risks of doses exceeding 10 g/day of raw herb equivalent are lacking. This represents an important area for future research, particularly given the theoretical possibility of immunological overactivation with prolonged high-dose administration.

Pharmaceutical Products

While numerous dietary supplements containing astragalus are available, few regulated pharmaceutical products exist globally. Some notable examples include:

• Huangqi Injection (黄芪注射液): A standardized injectable preparation used in Chinese hospitals for various conditions, including viral myocarditis and certain cancer supportive care protocols.
• Astragaloside IV (marketed as "AG-IV" by some pharmaceutical companies): Used in clinical trials for cardiovascular and inflammatory conditions.
• TA-65®: A proprietary extract containing astragalosides marketed for anti-aging effects, though clinical evidence remains limited.
• Cardiotonics®: A combination product containing astragalus extract alongside other botanicals, marketed in some European countries for cardiovascular support.

It's worth noting that most astragalus products remain classified as dietary supplements or traditional medicines rather than approved pharmaceutical drugs in most Western regulatory systems. In China, several astragalus preparations have drug status within the Traditional Chinese Medicine framework.

References

Auyeung, K. K., Han, Q. B., & Ko, J. K. (2016). Astragalus membranaceus: a review of its protection against inflammation and gastrointestinal cancers. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 44(01), 1-22.

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.

He, L., Sun, J., Miao, Z., Chen, S., & Yang, G. (2023). Astragaloside IV attenuates neuroinflammation and ameliorates cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease via inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway. Heliyon, 9(2).

Jiang, Y., Liu, N., Zhu, S., Hu, X., Chang, D., & Liu, J. (2019). Elucidation of the mechanisms and molecular targets of Yiqi Shexue formula for treatment of primary immune thrombocytopenia based on network pharmacology. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 10, 1136.

Li, X., Qu, L., Dong, Y., Han, L., Liu, E., Fang, S., ... & Wang, T. (2014). A review of recent research progress on the astragalus genus. Molecules, 19(11), 18850-18880.

Liu, P., Zhao, H., & Luo, Y. (2017). Anti-aging implications of Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi): a well-known Chinese tonic. Aging and disease, 8(6), 868.

Shahrajabian, M. H., Sun, W., & Cheng, Q. (2019). Astragalus, an ancient medicinal root in traditional Chinese medicine, a gift from silk road. Int. J. Agric. Biol. Sci, 3, 27-38.

Wang, P., Wang, Z., Zhang, Z., Cao, H., Kong, L., Ma, W., & Ren, W. (2023). A review of the botany, phytochemistry, traditional uses, pharmacology, toxicology, and quality control of the Astragalus memeranaceus. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 14, 1242318.

Yeh, T. S., Chuang, H. L., Huang, W. C., Chen, Y. M., Huang, C. C., & Hsu, M. C. (2014). Astragalus membranaceus improves exercise performance and ameliorates exercise-induced fatigue in trained mice. Molecules, 19(3), 2793-2807.

Zhang, L., Shergis, J. L., Yang, L., Zhang, A. L., Guo, X., Zhang, L., ... & Xue, C. C. (2019). Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi) as adjunctive therapy for diabetic kidney disease: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 239, 111921.