Notable Health Benefits of the Adaptogen Astragalus
Proper use of herbal supplements is one of the most powerful tools humans have for managing health and maximizing enjoyment of life. They also help us realize our full potential for productivity and achievement. Astragalus is an herb with a long history of use; for hundreds of years, it has been recommended by Korean health practitioners for increasing overall vitality and decreasing weakness. Most preparations use the root of the herb, either grinding it directly or extracting into a solvent like alcohol. The most commonly used form is Astragalus membranaceus (sometimes it is referred to as Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus .
Interestingly, most human research has focused on medical benefits unrelated to stress, so unfortunately there is seemingly no high-quality human evidence to support that historical application of astragalus. Nonetheless, given the proven safety of astragalus and its known constituents, which include polysaccharides, flavonoids, saponins, amino acids, and trace elements, it may be worth considering as an addition to one’s herbal arsenal. Furthermore, there is strong clinical evidence for the use of astragalus for other health benefits, especially immunity. I enjoy using it and it seems to help improve my mental state to some degree, although it is definitely less important to me than ashwagandha or reishi mushroom for dealing with stress. I do not feel the need to reorder quickly when I run out, but for some reason I’m always drawn back to it, so something good must be going on!
Health Benefits of Astragalus
1. Stress Reduction
Despite the lack of human studies, animal evidence exists that supports the historical use of astragalus. A 2009 study by a team of Korean researchers provided astragalus to rats who were subjected to restraint stress. After eight days, rats were subjected to spatial memory and anxiety tests, and the astragalus group showed better memory and less anxiety than rats receiving nothing. Researchers concluded, “Administration of [astragalus] improved spatial learning and memory and reduced stress-induced anxiety. Thus, the present results suggest that [astragalus] is able to recover behavioral and neurochemical impairments induced by stress.”
A post from the Mount Sinai integrated healthcare system in New York describes astragalus as an adaptogen that can help protect the body against physical, mental, and emotional stress. These properties may be linked to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components present in the herb.
2. Immune Support
Perhaps the strongest evidence for the use of astragalus relates to its effects on the immune system. A 2021 double-blind, placebo-controlled study by Polish researchers with the University of Physical Education tested the impact of astragalus on members of the Polish Rowing Team. 500mg per day of the root was given to the treatment group for six weeks, and immune parameters were measured before and after two rowing tests, one at the beginning of the program and one at the end. The treatment was found to “restore the immunological balance” in the athletes by stabilizing levels of natural killer and regulatory T cells and reducing levels of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2).
The effectiveness of astragalus is strong enough that a proprietary extract known as Lectranal was developed to help treat allergies. A 2010 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in the journal Phytotherapy Research found that patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis who took the product for six weeks had significantly decreased intensity of numerous symptoms as well as improved quality of life. Given the high-quality nature of the study, it is clear that astragalus can have some level of positive impact on the immune system.
The ability of astragalus to positively impact white blood cell levels was shown in a 2006 trial, where patients with serious abdominal trauma were treated with either astragalus injections and conventional treatment or just the latter alone. Levels of numerous types of immune cells were measured before and after treatment, and astragalus proved to be effective in restoring cellular immunity.
An earlier trial in 1995 analyzed 115 patients with leukopenia, in which white blood cell counts are lower than normal. The patients were split into two groups, one taking the equivalent of 30 grams of astragalus per day and the other taking the equivalent of 10 grams per day, for eight weeks. There was a clear rise in white blood cell counts after treatment in both groups, however the higher-dose group had even more effective results. This led the authors to conclude that astragalus exerted a dose-dependent effect for improving immune health.
While product reviews are by far the least scientific form of evidence for numerous reasons, it is interesting so many people have stated that astragalus has helped them recover from or prevent colds and flus (based on reviews of the astragalus product that I use from Amazon). For example, someone named Laurie N. posted “I was on a cycle of cold-recovery-one week-cold, and [the astragalus tincture] broke it. I don’t use it all the time, just when I’m sick or feel like I might.” Another reviewer named DMarks said, “Since I started taken Astragalus by Herb Pharm I have been completely resistant to colds which I used to have frequently. At times the cold or sore throat comes with full power but leaves at record time. Also looove the taste! I really feel the difference in my immune system since taken this herb!” Again, it is important to reiterate the low value of product reviews compared to clinical trials, but I believe that individual experiences are not completely worthless and can be worth considering.
3. Cardiovascular Health and Anti-inflammatory Effects
Some evidence suggests a role for astragalus in improving cardiovascular health. A 2018 randomized controlled study by Chinese researchers administered 5 grams a day or 10 grams a day of astragalus to postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome at risk of diastolic dysfunction (a stiffening of heart ventricles that impairs the heart’s ability to fill with blood). After a year, numerous lab measurements indicated that astragalus worked together with conventional medicine to improve diastolic function.
A 2011 trial compared the effects of various doses of astragalus (4.5 grams, 9 grams, and 15 grams) on heart function in patients with chronic heart failure. The heart function grade of all patients increased on the treatments, but the effect was better in the 9 gram and 15 gram groups. Quality of life also improved in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest dose being most effective and the lowest dose being least effective. Another trial in 2010 concluded that 5.5 grams of astragalus for two weeks, added to conventional therapy, reduced the inflammatory marker TNF-α and improved diastolic and systolic heart functions in chronic heart failure patients. Astragalus was also found to alleviate calcium overload-induced heart damage.
A 2008 trial examining patients who underwent heart valve replacement further showed the ability of astragalus, this time as injections, to reduce TNF-α levels. Researchers stated, “Astragalus may decrease the inflammation cytokine promoting factors, and increase the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), so it could attenuate the inflammation reaction in patients after [heart valve replacement].”
4. Diabetes Management
A 2009 clinical trial examined women who developed diabetes during their pregnancy and tested how adding astragalus to insulin treatments could improve overall health. The astragalus addition was found to increase levels of the endogenous antioxidant superoxide dismutase, decrease levels of the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde, and control blood glucose. Researchers concluded that astragalus “may play a role in the prevention and treatment of gestational diabetes.”
Other Potential Health Benefits of Astragalus
A 2020 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology pointed to the possibility that astragalus could help reduce adverse events associated with chemotherapy and radiation treatment. However, the intervention was particularly unique and not something that would be available to most patients. The trial administered polysaccharides derived from astragalus via injection three times per week for an unspecified amount of time. Researchers noted that patients in the astragalus group experienced less frequent severe adverse effects, had a better quality of life, and had less pain and appetite loss than the placebo group. The trial was terminated early due to the launch of a better form of the astragalus product, but the initial results here were still quite promising.
Fatigue is a common symptom that patients experience after having a stroke, and astragalus may be able to help combat this form of tiredness. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial by researchers at China Medical University administered 8.4 grams of astragalus per day for 28 days to patients with post-stroke fatigue and observed many significant benefits. The treatment was not only effective at reducing fatigue, but patients in the treatment group also had significantly better improvements in cognitive functioning, social functioning, and overall quality of life than the placebo group.
Preclinical research indicates massive potential for astragalus that should be explored in further clinical trials. It may even help combat the aging process and improve overall health through numerous mechanisms, as suggested by a 2017 review article on the anti-aging implications of astragalus use. The researchers, including those from a medical university and institute for brain disorders, stated “Pharmacological research indicates that the extract component of Astragalus membranaceus can increase telomerase activity, and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, anticancer, hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic, hepatoprotective, expectorant, and diuretic effects.”
Summary and How to Use Astragalus
Scientific evidence clearly supports the use of astragalus for some health conditions, although far more research is needed to clarify its impact on stress reduction in humans. For now, research has at least partially justified the historical use of astragalus, and future trials will further reveal just how much the herb can really do. I personally use an astragalus tincture a few times a week and just take one dropperful. As noted in the introduction, this isn’t as important to me as other adaptogenic herbs, but I still enjoy having it in my rotation of supplements.
