should not use astragalus root. If you have an immune system disease such as multiple sclerosis, lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, or another condition known as an ” autoimmune disease ,” you should not use astragalus root.
So you should avoid using astragalus if you are taking immune-suppressing drugs. Pregnant or nursing women should not use astragalus root. If you have an immune system disease such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or another autoimmune disease, you should not use astragalus root.
If you have an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, or take cyclophosphamide, a medication used to reduce the chances of rejection in transplant recipients, or corticosteroids, do not take astragalus.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women: There’s currently not enough research to demonstrate that astragalus is safe while pregnant or breastfeeding. Individuals with autoimmune diseases: Astragalus may increase the activity of your immune system.
Early research suggests that astragalus, given intravenously (by IV) or taken by mouthas a combination product, might help control blood sugarand insulinlevels in people with type 2 diabetes. Side Effects When taken by mouth: Astragalus is possibly safe for most adults. Doses of up to 60 grams daily have been safely used for up to 4 months.
What is astragalus used for?
Overview. Astragalus is an herb. The root is used to make medicine. Astragalus is used for hay fever, diabetes, kidney disease , and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There are several different species of astragalus.
Early research shows that administering a specific astragalus extract intravenously (by IV) three times weekly for 4 weeks during chemotherapy improves fatigue scores after one week but not after two and four weeks. Long-term kidney disease (chronic kidney disease or CKD).
Nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment. Early research shows that giving astragalus intravenously (by IV) daily for up to 21 days during each course of chemotherapy reduces nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy treatments.
Some species contain a nerve toxin and have been linked to livestock poisonings. Some of these species include Astragalus lentiginosus, Astragalus mollissimus, and others. However, these species of astragalus are usually not found in dietary supplements used by humans.
Astragalus might have an effect like a water pill or “diuretic.”. Taking astragalus might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium.
Side Effects. When taken by mouth: Astragalus is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults. Doses of up to 60 grams per day have been safely used for up to 4 months. Astragalus may cause rash, itchy skin, nasal symptoms, or stomach discomfort. However, these events are uncommon.
Early research shows that taking astragalus by mouth reduces infections in children with a certain ki dney disease called nephrotic syndrome. Fatigue after a stroke. Early research shows that taking astragalus for 4 weeks might improve fatigue in people who recently had a stroke.
What are the benefits of astragalus?
There are many preliminary studies on astragalus that indicate the herb may have other potential benefits, including: 1 Improved symptoms of chronic fatigue: Some evidence shows astragalus may help improve tiredness in people with chronic fatigue syndrome when combined with other herbal supplements ( 29, 32 ). 2 Anticancer effects: In test-tube studies, astragalus has promoted apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in various types of cancer cells ( 33, 34, 35 ). 3 Improved seasonal allergy symptoms: Though studies are limited, one clinical study found that 160 mg of astragalus twice daily may reduce sneezing and runny nose in individuals with seasonal allergies ( 36 ).
Though there are over 2,000 species of astragalus, only two are primarily used in supplements — Astragalus membranaceus and Astragalus mongholicus ( 2. Trusted Source. ). Specifically, the root of the plant is made into many different forms of supplements, including liquid extracts, capsules, powders and teas.
For example, 7.5–15 grams of astragalus taken daily for three to six months reduced the risk of infection by 38% in people with a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome. However, more studies are needed to confirm this effect ( 31 ).
Blood sugar control: 40–60 grams of astragalus as a decoction for up to four months ( 27 ).
Astragalus is believed to prolong life and used to treat a wide variety of ailments , such as fatigue, allergies and the common cold.
For example, one clinical study in people undergoing chemotherapy found that astragalus given by IV reduced nausea by 36%, vomiting by 50% and diarrhea by 59% ( 19 ).
The active compounds in astragalus root may help lower blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. ). In animal and test-tube studies, astragalus has been shown to improve sugar metabolism and reduce blood sugar levels. In one animal study, it also led to weight loss ( 24.
How does astragalus work?
One of the key uses for astragalus, in alternative medicine , is to improve immune function. Although evidence is needed, one of the ways astragalus is said to work is by increasing the production of immune cells. It may also have mild antiviral activity and help with the prevention of colds. There’s little evidence from human studies, however, on the effectiveness of astragalus as an antiviral.
Uses for Astragalus. Astragalus is used in traditional Chinese medicine for night sweats and diarrhea. It is also used for energy tonics that are taken daily at certain times of the year. So far, scientific support for the potential benefits of astragalus is lacking.
Astragalus supplements haven’t been tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label. Also keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions …
People with autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes or systemic lupus erythematosus shouldn’t use astragalus unless recommended by a qualified healthcare practitioner. People who have had transplant surgery should not use astragalus.
Astragalus is also used for various heart conditions. It may have a diuretic effect which would lower blood pressure and it may cause blood vessels to relax. It hasn’t been explored in human studies, so it shouldn’t be used as a replacement for conventional care.
It’s often combined with other herbs, such as ginseng. There is not enough scientific evidence to define an appropriate dose of astragalus. The appropriate dose for you may depend on factors including your age, gender, and medical history.
Astragalus may interfere with the effectiveness of corticosteroid medications and drugs that suppress the immune system. Theoretically, astragalus can increase the effectiveness of antiviral medications such as acyclovir and amantadine. Astragalus supplements haven’t been tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely …
What is Astragalus used for?
Astragalus is used to protect and support the immune system, preventing colds and upper respiratory infections, lowering blood pressure, treating diabetes, and protecting the liver. Astragalus has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. People sometimes use it on the skin for wound care.
Astragalus is a perennial plant, about 16 to 36 inches tall, that is native to the northern and eastern parts of China, as well as Mongolia and Korea. It has hairy stems with leaves made up of 12 to 18 pairs of leaflets.
At recommended doses, astragalus has no serious side effects and can generally be used safely. It does interact with other herbs and medications (see Possible Interactions section). Evidence about whether astragalus is safe for women who are breastfeeding or nursing is lacking.
Hepatitis. A few studies have used a combination of herbs containing astragalus to treat hepatitis. Results have been mixed.
Higher doses may suppress the immune system. For best results, use a standardized astragalus supplement. Dosages depend on a number of factors, such as whether astragalus is being used primarily as an adaptogen or for other reasons.
Lithium: Astragalus can make it harder for the body to get rid of lithium, so dangerously high levels of the drug could build up.
According to TCM, you should not give astragalus to a child with fever because the herb may make the fever last longer or grow stronger. Dosage should be determined by your doctor. Adult. Dosage depends on condition being treated, age, and weight.
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