by Gail Seymour

Created on: November 03, 2009

Of the 2000 plus species of Astragalus, which include milk vetch and goat's thorn, only two, Astragalus membranaceus and Astragalus mongholicus are generally used for health purposes. These two species are native to the North and East of China, Mongolia and Korea, and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. They are commercially available in tablet form which may also be labelled bei qi, huang qi or ogi, hwanggi. Astragalus is also available in tincture, capsule and topical preparations, and used in injections in clinical settings in Asia, with doses ranging from 1-25g per day,

Astragalus root extract is used for a wide range of disorders, ranging from the common cold and flu, to chronic fatigue, asthma and anaemia. It is also used to treat digestive troubles such as diarrhoea, gas, and bloating. With mild anti bacterial, anti viral and anti inflammatory properties, the herb appears to benefit the immune system and respiratory tracts. With anti oxidant benefits, Astragalus root may well help the body fight the effects of various stresses. It has recently been suggested to have possible benefits for cancer sufferers, helping to speed recovery after chemotherapy, although the viability of the studies has been called into question.

Although Astragalus is considered safe in small doses, before you rush to take supplements, weigh the possible health benefits against any possible side effects. There are important contra indicators to consider before taking it and supportive medical evidence is still thin on the ground. This is no harmless panacea, and could have an unwanted effect on the immune system.

Astragalus root extract may interact with certain medications, most noticeably, cyclophosphamide given to cancer patients, and similar drugs given after organ transplants. It may also alter the effectiveness of corticosteroids, used by many asthma sufferers, and of immuno-suppressant drugs. Conversely it may increase the effectiveness of both antiviral and immuno-enhancing medications.

For these reasons, transplant patients should not use Astragalus root extract, and cancer sufferers along with those with auto immune diseases, or other chronic health issues should only consider this supplement after careful consultation with their doctor. Whilst there have been no specific studies into the safety of Astragalus root extract in pregnant or lactating women, doses given to children are calculated using the weight of the child as a fraction of the adult dose, with the adult dose being calculated against a weight of 150lb, or 70Kg

So whilst you may be tempted to turn to Astragalus root extract supplements as a boost to the immune system, it would be wise to take medical advice first, and to ensure that you stick to a lower dose.

Links all accessed on on 3rd November 2009:

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/astragalus-000223 .htm
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/astragalus/
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/ a/Astragalus.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astragalus

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