Supplement
Astragalus is a herb, used in traditional Chinese medicine, that is thought to influence immune function. People mostly look at it for support during chemotherapy, and the evidence for that use is moderate, drawing on about 1,200 participants. Beyond that, the findings are thinner: one small trial of 41 people found nasal congestion eased in seasonal allergies, while a 40-person study found no clear difference in telomere length.
Sources: PMID 19504468; PMID 39275278
- Updated
- How we grade
- 7 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade C
- Conditions studied
- 7
- Outcomes
- 8
- Graded outcomes
- 0031
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasal Congestion Small Improvement | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | 41 people | ||
Studies that measured nasal congestion | ||||||
Longer Lifespan
- Telomere Length
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telomere Length No effect | NoneNo effect | 1 study | 40 people | |||
Kidney Health
- Diuresis: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diuresis | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 12 people | |||
Immune Health
- Immunity: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immunity | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 16 people | |||
Stroke
- Stroke Recovery: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stroke Recovery | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 68 people | |||
Studies that measured stroke recovery | ||||||
Neuropathic Pain
- Kidney Function: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kidney Function | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 1 person | |||
Studies that measured kidney function | ||||||
Key findings
- Nasal CongestionImproves (the measure goes up)
- Fatigue SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)
- Quality of LifeImproves (the measure goes up)
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Third-party tested Astragalus products. The evidence above is limited, so read it before you buy.
- Grade C
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Studies cited
7 studies from PubMed
- The effect of Echinacea purpurea, Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza glabra on CD25 expression in humans: a pilot study
- Aqueous extract of Astragali Radix induces human natriuresis through enhancement of renal response to atrial natriuretic peptide
- Efficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis
- Chinese Herb Astragalus membranaceus Enhances Recovery of Hemorrhagic Stroke: Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Study
- Treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy with the herb Astragalus membranaceus
- A Natural Astragalus-Based Nutritional Supplement Lengthens Telomeres in a Middle-Aged Population: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
- Efficacy of Astragalus Membranaceus (Huang Qi) for Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies.