Astragalus Safety Profile

Substantiated structure/function claim: Astragalus supports immune function and enhances macrophage activity.^1-4

Dosages: Powder: 9 to 30 g daily, according to the 1997 Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China.⁵ In serious conditions, 30 to 60 g daily.⁶ According to the findings of one group of researchers, the optimal dosage for enhanced macrophage activity is 4­7 g daily for a 79 kg human, and dosages in excess of 28 g per day should be avoided.⁷ Decoction: 0.5­ 1 L daily (up to 120 g of whole root/L of water). Use in formulas: 1.5­9 g.⁸ Soup: Approximately 30 g/3.5 L of soup (simmer with other food ingredients).

Side Effects: None cited in the literature.

Contraindications: None cited in the literature.

Interactions: Potentiates the effects of acyclovir,⁹ rIL-2,¹⁰ and alpha-rIFN-1 and -2 therapies.^11,12 May be incompatible with immunosuppressive agents.

Pregnancy, mutagenicity and reproductive toxicity: Specific data are lacking. According to one report, astragalus is reported to have no mutagenic effects.¹³

Lactation: Specific data are lacking. Based on a review of the available pharmacologic and toxicologic literature, no limitation of usage is to be expected.

Precautions: May not be appropriate for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or following organ transplantation. Since immunostimulating polysaccharides may stimulate histamine release, allergic symptoms may be aggravated by astragalus use.

References

1. Hou Y, et al. Interferon induction and lymphocyte transformation stimulated by Astragalus membranaceus in mouse spleen cell cultures. Zhonghua Weisheng Wuxue Hemian Yixue Zazhi 1981;1(2):137-9.

2. Shimizu N, et al. An acidic polysaccharide having activity on the reticuloendothelial system from the root of Astragalus mongholicus. Chem Pharm Bull 1991;39(11):2969-72.

3. Sun Y, et al. Immune restoration and/or augmentation of local graft-versus-host reaction by traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Cancer 1983;52(1):70-3.

4. Tomoda M, et al. A reticulondothelian system-activating glycan from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus. Phytochemistry 1992;31(1):63-6.

5. Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. 1997. Radix Astragali [huangqi]. Vol. 1. English ed. Beijing: Chem Ind Pr. 442 p.

6. Bensky D, et al. Chinese herbal medicine materia medica. Revised ed. Seattle: Eastland Pr. 1993. 556 p.

7. Lau BH, et al. Chinese medicinal herbs for immunideficienty. Int J Clin Nut 1990;10(4):430-4.

8. Bensky D, Barolet R. Formulas and strategies. Seattle: Eastland Pr. 1990. 556 p.

9. Zuo L, et al. The curative effects of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (A-6) in combination with acyclovir on mice infected with HSV-1. Virol Sin 1995.

10. Chu DT, et al. Fractionated extract of Astragalus membranaceus, a Chinese medicinal herb, potentiates LAK cell cytotociity generated by low dose of recombinant interleukin-2. J Clin Lab Immunol 1988;26(3):183-7.

11. Hou Y, et al. Interferon induction and lymphocyte transformation stimulated by Astragalus membranaceus in mouse spleen cell cultures. Zhonghua Weisheng Wuxue Hemian Yixue Zazhi 1981;1(2):137-9.

12. Qian ZW, et al. Viral etiology of chronic cervicitis and its therapeutic response to a alpha-recombinant interferon. Chin Med J 1990. 103(8):647-51.

13. Wagner H, et al. Radix Astragali: Chinese drug monographs and analysis. Available from American Botanical Council, Austin, TX. 1(8):1-18.