Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness. Talk to a healthcare professional about whether a supplement is the right fit for your individual health, and about any potential drug interactions or safety concerns.
If you’re looking for ways to keep your immune system strong and healthy, you may have come across an herb called astragalus. It’s a flowering plant that’s been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, and along with its immune-boosting properties, it’s touted as a treatment for colds, seasonal allergies, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, kidney disease, and wound healing. You might hear astragalus called by different names, including milk vetch, huáng qí, and beg kei.
Astragalus roots are powdered and used as a dietary supplement. It’s considered an adaptogen. “Adaptogens are botanicals that help the body remain resilient in the face of stressors such as infection, illness, or mental, emotional, or environmental stress,” says Kalea Wattles, ND, a naturopathic physician with the Institute for Functional Medicine in Federal Way, Washington.
Potential Health Benefits of Astragalus
While astragalus has been used in Eastern medicine for centuries, there’s a lack of reliable scientific evidence backing up the health claims. “There’s a meaningful body of research suggesting astragalus [has benefits], however, the overall quality of this evidence is relatively low,“ says Chrissie Ott, MD, a board-certified integrative medicine doctor based in Portland, Oregon. “We need more rigorous, independent, randomized, controlled trials before we can translate early signals into specific, reliable guidance.”
Dr. Wattles points out, however, that astragalus is a source of antioxidants, so it’s plausible that it offers benefits similar to those of other antioxidants. “With a lot of these botanicals, there’s great anecdotal evidence, but the research hasn’t quite caught up yet,” she says.
Here are some potential benefits of astragalus, according to existing preliminary research, though more research is needed across the board.
May Improve Immune Function
A meta-analysis including 19 human studies found that astragalus can boost the immune system by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhancing immune markers in cells. The authors of the meta-analysis note that there were substantial differences between some of the studies in the review, however, and Dr. Ott says that weakens their conclusions.
May Benefit Kidney Health
Astragalus may be a promising treatment for people with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (a kidney disease), according to a meta-analysis of 50 human studies. The researchers note, however, that most of the studies included were small and not randomized; so randomized, controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings. Ott adds that study heterogeneity (meaning little variation among the studies included in the analysis) weakens the authors' conclusions.
May Help Diabetes Symptom Management
A meta-analysis of 20 studies of people with type 2 diabetes found that astragalus might help treat type 2 diabetes and led to improvements in insulin sensitivity and fasting plasma glucose, among other effects. However, more studies are needed, as the authors note that many of the studies included had biases and limited evidence.
Ott adds that though the benefits were mild, the anti-inflammatory effects of astragalus might help patients with diabetes or metabolic syndrome. But since the research isn’t conclusive, it’s important to listen to your doctor and follow your traditional diabetes treatment plan. “Astragalus is neither snake oil nor a miracle cure,” Ott says. “It's a potentially helpful tool in a broader tool kit.”
May Help Cancer Treatment
Studies of tumors in animals and cells have found that astragalus may help fight liver, stomach, breast, and ovarian cancers. It may work by shrinking or stabilizing tumors, improving the efficiency of chemotherapy, and potentially keeping cancer cells from spreading. It’s important to note that these studies used astragalus as a complementary therapy to traditional cancer treatments, rather than as a replacement.
May Protect Skin From UV Damage
Astragalus is becoming more common as an ingredient in skin-care products such as creams and serums (rather than supplements), and there is some preliminary research on human cells showing that it may protect skin against photo-damage aging, or skin damage from sunlight and UV rays. However, this was done in a lab versus on humans, so it’s not conclusive, Ott says.
All in all, it’s “interesting data, but we are far from stating that we have conclusive proof of a measurable and replicable benefit,” Ott says.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of Astragalus
If you’re considering taking astragalus, or any supplement, it’s a good idea to talk to your primary care provider first to identify any potential interactions with prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, or supplements you are taking. Like all supplements, astragalus isn’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the same way that foods and drugs are, and some risks and side effects are associated with the supplement.
Risks
“Astragalus is generally well tolerated and low in toxicity when used at recommended doses,” Ott says. However, astragalus has been found to interact with certain medications, including those used to suppress immune function.
Additionally, astragalus may interact with blood pressure medications, and it’s important to consider these risks alongside the guidance of a healthcare professional. Because astragalus affects blood pressure and blood sugar levels, it may be risky to take if you have a blood disease, diabetes, or hypertension.
It’s unclear whether it’s safe to take astragalus if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, and some animal research suggests that astragalus can be toxic to a fetus.And while astragalus may offer some benefit when applied topically to treat skin conditions, studies thus far have been done on animals, not humans, so it’s best to proceed with caution until human trials have been completed.
Side Effects
Here are some of the side effects associated with astragalus supplements:
Rashes
Itching
Nasal symptoms
Stomach discomfort
Low blood pressure
Dehydration
Forms of Astragalus
Astragalus is a powdered form of the plant’s root, so it’s common to take it in capsule form, Wattles says. You can add the powder to foods or drinks as well. Astragalus is also available in tinctures, and you can buy ointments with about 10 percent astragalus root for your skin.
You can also brew astragalus as a tea. You can buy it in tea bags or make your own tea by simmering a tablespoon of dried astragalus root with 1 cup of water for 10 minutes, then straining, according to Wattles.
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How to Select and Store Astragalus
Here are some tips to keep in mind when purchasing astragalus.
Selection
Ott recommends consulting with a knowledgeable practitioner before starting any herbal supplement. When it’s time to choose a quality supplement, check the label for USP (U.S. Pharmacopeia), NSF, or ConsumerLab.com. This means that the product has undergone third-party testing for quality and purity.
Storage of Astragalus
Store the powdered root and tinctures in a cool, dry place, Ott suggests. “And follow the manufacturer’s expiration guidelines for safety and potency,” she adds.
Dosage of Astragalus
There is limited information on dosage and long-term effects, but no adverse effects have been reported in people taking up to 60 grams (g) of astragalus daily by mouth for up to four months. And that’s a lot — Wattles considers 30 g a high dose.
A typical dose is 600 milligrams (mg) to 2 g divided into three or four doses and taken throughout the day.
Drinkable doses include 250 to 500 mg of root powder or 3 to 4 g of dried root mixed in half a liter of water, which you can drink hot or cold up to four times a day. For ointments, a concentration of 10 percent astragalus can be applied to the skin.
The Takeaway
Astragalus is an herb that’s been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to boost the immune system.
Astragalus may also improve heart and kidney health, fight diabetes and cancer, and potentially offer skin benefits, but high-quality human research proving astragalus' effectiveness is lacking, so it’s prudent to be wary of claims about its benefits until more research is available.
Astragalus isn’t suited for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding or who have a blood disease, diabetes, or hypertension, and it may be risky for those with autoimmune issues. Anyone who wishes to add this supplement to their regimen should first consult their healthcare provider.
Common Questions & Answers
What is astragalus good for?
While there aren’t high-quality human studies that prove the benefits of astragalus, it may boost immunity, promote kidney and heart health, help treat type 2 diabetes, fight cancers, and protect skin from sun damage.
Is astragalus safe to take every day?
It may be safe to take up to 60 g a day by mouth for up to four months. People often take astragalus to boost their immune system when they expect they might get sick — for example, at the beginning of cold and flu season or before springtime allergies kick in.
What are the side effects of astragalus?
Side effects of astragalus are uncommon but could include rash, itching, nasal symptoms, an upset stomach, low blood pressure, and dehydration. It could also interact with immunosuppressing medication.
Who should not take astragalus?
People with autoimmune issues and those who are on immunosuppressive, blood pressure, or oral hypoglycemic medications shouldn’t take astragalus. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also avoid astragalus because it isn’t clear whether it’s safe.
How do you make astragalus tea?
You can buy astragalus tea in tea bags or make your own by simmering a tablespoon of dried, shredded astragalus root in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Zhang X et al. The Effect of Astragalus on Humoral and Cellular Immune Response: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Human Studies. Complementary Medicine Research. January 2024.
Wang D et al. Astragalus membranaceus formula for moderate-high risk idiopathic membranous nephropathy: A meta-analysis. Medicine. March 3, 2023.
Hong K et al. The Efficacy and Safety of Astragalus as an Adjuvant Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine. January 2024.
Li S et al. Anti-Tumor Effects and Mechanisms of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and its Specific Immunopotentiation: Status and Prospect. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. May 5, 2020.
Li Q et al. Photoprotective effect of Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide on UVA-induced damage in HaCaT cells. PLoS One. July 21, 2020.
Öztaş F et al. Medical Properites and Usage of Astragalus Sp. Traditional Medicine. October 19, 2024.
Fu S et al. Fact-checking cosmetic trends: Systematic review of the use of topical astragalus derivatives to treat dermatologic conditions. Our Dermatol Online. 2024.
Grant Chu, MD, is an assistant clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Chu is also the associate director of education at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine, using technology to further medical education.
He is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a diplomate of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
He received a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Brown University, where he also earned his medical degree. He has a master's in acupuncture and oriental medicine from South Baylo University and a master's in business administration from the University of Illinois. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles and a fellowship at the Center for East-West Medicine at UCLA.
He has held academic appointments at the University of California in Irvine and the University of Queensland in Australia.
Stephanie Thurrott is a Pennsylvania-based writer who covers health and wellness, travel, parenting, creativity, and mental health for MSN, Today.com, Banner Health, the University of Miami School of Medicine, and Business Insider, among other organizations. When she's not writing, she enjoys running on the back roads and trails of Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley or trying to find the best tacos in Mexico City.
Moira Lawler is a journalist who has spent more than a decade covering a range of health and lifestyle topics, including women's health, nutrition, fitness, mental health, and travel. She received a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young children, and a giant brown labradoodle.
