Is astragalus an adaptogen?

It is often classed as one in Western herbal practice. The label comes from a particular tradition of describing herbs, and it does not mean the herb has been proven to do what the word implies.

Is it safe with an autoimmune condition?

The NCCIH advises people with autoimmune disease to avoid it, because it might worsen symptoms. Please speak to your doctor first.

Does it interact with medication?

It may interact with medicines that suppress the immune system. The EarthWise guidance asks anyone on immunosuppressants to check with a GP or practitioner first.

Is astragalus the same as the locoweeds?

No. Some wild Astragalus species are poisonous to livestock. The medicinal species is Astragalus membranaceus, which is why a named supplier matters.

Is it safe in pregnancy?

Safety is not established, and the EarthWise guidance advises against Daily Vitality in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Astragalus: What It Is, How It Works, and When to Use It

Sarah Burt

Oct 14

6 min read

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), known in Chinese medicine as huang qi, is a pale, fibrous root traditionally used to support resilience and immune function. It is one of the most widely used herbs in the Chinese tradition and one of the more research-heavy herbs in this library, though much of that research is of low quality. It is one of the four herbs in the EarthWise Daily Vitality tonic.

Pink and white wildflowers blooming in a sunlit meadow with a soft blurred background

What it is

Astragalus belongs to the pea family (Fabaceae) and is native to northern and eastern China, Mongolia and Korea. It is a hardy perennial with feathery leaves and pale yellow flowers, and a long, straight, yellowish root. The genus is huge, with well over a thousand species, and only a few of them are used medicinally. The common name milk vetch belongs to the wider group of related plants.

The part used is the root, usually from plants four to seven years old, which is sliced and dried. In Chinese medicine, huang qi is one of the fundamental tonic herbs and is classically described as strengthening qi, the vital energy of the body. I regard that as a framework from another medical tradition, and I use it for context and not as a scientific claim.

A buyer's note worth reading. Check that the label names the root and gives the Latin name Astragalus membranaceus. Many astragalus species grow in the wild, and some of them, known as locoweeds, are poisonous to livestock. Reputable suppliers sell the medicinal species, and this is another reason not to buy unlabelled bulk herb. Many supplements are standardised to astragalosides, and the percentage on the label tells you about concentration and not about how well the product will work.

The active compounds

Astragalus root contains polysaccharides, saponins (called astragalosides) and flavonoids such as calycosin and formononetin.

The main proposed mechanism: immune activity. The polysaccharides have been shown in laboratory and animal studies to interact with immune cells. That is the usual explanation for the herb's reputation as an immune tonic, and it is also the reason for the caution about immunosuppressant medication in the safety section below.

Other activity. Astragalosides have been studied for antioxidant and other effects in cell and animal work. These are laboratory findings and I do not make claims about them.

How it is traditionally used

Astragalus has been used for well over two thousand years in Chinese medicine, typically as a root simmered in water as a decoction, often with other tonic herbs. It is traditionally used to support strength, resilience and recovery, particularly in people who catch every cold going or take a long time to recover from illness.

I am not aware of an EU herbal monograph for astragalus root, which means there is no formal European assessment of traditional use, doses or safety for me to point to. That is one reason I regard the information in this guide as less settled than for herbs that have one.

In Western herbal practice, astragalus is an immune and adaptogenic tonic, taken over a long period. That is the logic behind its place in Daily Vitality, alongside Rhodiola, Gotu Kola and Schisandra.

What the research shows

Here is how the evidence reads.

Traditional evidence: resilience and recovery. This is the main basis for the herb's use, and it comes from a long tradition and not from controlled trials.

Limited evidence overall. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health concludes that there is not enough reliable scientific evidence to know whether astragalus is useful for any health condition. I agree with that reading. It also summarises three recent reviews, all with limitations:

Immune response: a 2023 review of 19 studies with 1,094 participants associated astragalus with enhanced immune responses and lower levels of inflammatory messenger molecules. The studies were small and varied in design.
Type 2 diabetes: a 2024 review of 20 studies with 953 adults found that astragalus added to metformin was associated with lower fasting glucose and HbA1c than metformin alone. Most of the studies were low quality and at risk of bias.
A kidney condition (membranous nephropathy): a 2023 review of 50 studies with 3,423 participants found some improvement in kidney markers when astragalus was added to usual care. The reviewers noted low study quality and small sizes.

Safety evidence. Oral astragalus is considered possibly safe. Doses of up to 60 g a day for up to four months did not appear to cause adverse effects in the research summarised by the NCCIH, though a thorough safety evaluation has not been done. Safety in pregnancy is not established, and animal research suggests a possible risk to the foetus.

Sarah's clinical perspective

I use astragalus in Daily Vitality as a tincture, alongside Rhodiola, Gotu Kola and Schisandra. Daily Vitality is the long-term formula in the range, and astragalus suits that role.

I am careful with anyone taking immunosuppressant medication, because astragalus has immune-modulating properties. I also advise anyone with an autoimmune condition to speak to their GP or practitioner first.

Practical guidance

Dose. There is no established tincture dose and no EU monograph to cite. Traditional Chinese practice uses much larger amounts of dried root as a decoction than most supplements supply. That is a difference in form and not a dosing instruction for any particular product.

Format. A tincture, a standardised root extract, or a decoction of sliced root simmered in water. The decoction is the traditional form.

Time to effect. There is no clinical timeline. Astragalus is traditionally taken for weeks to months, and the sensible approach is to give it a month or so and review.

Timing. There is no established timing.

What it does not replace. Astragalus does not replace vaccination, good sleep, food or medical care. Recurrent infections, unexplained weight loss, night sweats or persistent fevers need a GP.

For how to take the EarthWise tonic specifically, the dose and full safety information are on the product page.

Common questions

Is astragalus an adaptogen? It is often classed as one in Western herbal practice. The label comes from a particular tradition of describing herbs, and it does not mean the herb has been proven to do what the word implies.
Is it safe with an autoimmune condition? The NCCIH advises people with autoimmune disease to avoid it, because it might worsen symptoms. Please speak to your doctor first.
Does it interact with medication? It may interact with medicines that suppress the immune system. The EarthWise guidance asks anyone on immunosuppressants to check with a GP or practitioner first.
Is astragalus the same as the locoweeds? No. Some wild Astragalus species are poisonous to livestock. The medicinal species is Astragalus membranaceus, which is why a named supplier matters.
Is it safe in pregnancy? Safety is not established, and the EarthWise guidance advises against Daily Vitality in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Where astragalus appears in the EarthWise range

Astragalus is one of the four herbs in Daily Vitality, Sarah's formula for long-term energy and resilience, where it sits with Rhodiola, Gotu Kola and Schisandra.

If you are not sure which formula fits, the EarthWise health quiz is the best place to start. Full safety information is on each product page.

When to seek professional support

Astragalus is generally well tolerated. Check with a practitioner first in these situations:

Immunosuppressant medication. Astragalus has immune-modulating properties and may interact.
An autoimmune condition. The NCCIH advises avoiding astragalus in autoimmune disease.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Not recommended. Animal research suggests a possible risk to the foetus.
Recurrent infections or persistent fevers. These need proper assessment.
Unexplained weight loss or night sweats. See your GP.
Any prescribed medicine. Ask your GP or pharmacist before combining.
Under 18. There is no guidance on use in children and adolescents, so I would not use it without a practitioner.

Sarah Burt is a registered naturopath, medical herbalist and iridologist with 25+ years of clinical experience. All EarthWise tonics are formulated by Sarah based on her clinical protocols.

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This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any health condition. Always consult a qualified health practitioner before making changes to your health regimen.