If you are prone to repeated colds or other viral infections or otherwise have impaired immune defences, then taking astragalus root regularly over several months has been found to improve resilience. The value of astragalus is likely to be greater if you have had blood tests that show low white blood cell counts.

It may add further benefits if there is an allergic quality to the respiratory problems, for example they are worse in spring and summer, or when mould counts are high, in damp autumn and winter seasons.

The symptoms above are often combined with low energies, and astragalus was a traditional remedy for chronic fatigue states. This is especially appropriate when the fatigue is judged to be ‘post-viral’ and or when it is linked to reduced appetite. Astragalus is the first-choice herb for fatigue treatment in traditional Chinese medicine.

It is also the main herb used in hospitals for stroke recovery in China and Taiwan. As well as reinforcing its role in building resilience this points to a benefit for a wide range of circulatory problems. It can provide safe background support for other treatments for heart symptoms and circulatory problems where these are exacerbated by fatigue and low energies.

For the optimum benefit it is probably better to look out for a dried root powder supplement, and use only liquid forms that have been carefully prepared to extract both the polysaccharides and the saponins.

Astragalus is traditionally highly regarded as a tonic remedy. In the language of Traditional Chinese Medicine it was seen to tonify both active energies (qi) and those that build resilience (xue or Blood), as well as supporting the Chinese concept of the Spleen (the function controlling assimilation in this body – thus being used where fatigue is linked to decreased appetite).

The root has been used for many hundreds of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a tonic in fatigue, especially with decreased appetite, spontaneous sweating and diarrhoea. Also to reduce blood loss and improve kidney function. and to recover from postpartum fever, organ prolapse, uterine bleeding and and other severe loss of blood.

Adaptogens are strengthening herbs that help us adapt to stress by interacting with the endocrine system. They help normalise metabolism and nourish the tissues. Examples include Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra),  Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera), Rhodiola root (Rhodiola rosea) and Ginseng root (Panax ginseng)

Alteratives are herbs that ‘alter’ the condition in a tissue by eliminating metabolic waste via the liver, large intestine, lungs, lymphatic system, skin and kidneys. Examples include Burdock root (Arctium lappa), Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinalis), Cleavers (Galium aparine), Poke (Phytolacca decandra) and Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica).

Anti-inflammatory herbs reduce inflammation in the body. There are different systems in the body that anti-inflammatory plants target. For example for the gastrointestinal tract chamomile, fenugreek and meadowsweet are useful. For the musculoskeletal system rosehips, turmeric and celery seed are useful. For inflammation against immune mediated inflammation gotu kola (centella asiatica), rehmannia (rehmannia glutinosa) and feverfew (tanacetum parthenium) can be useful.

Antioxidant substances that protects against oxidation and degradation from free radical damage. Plants rich in antioxidant include bacopa (bacopa monnieri), bilberry (vaccinium myrtillus), green tea (camelia sinensis) and thyme (thymus vulgaris).

Diuretics are herbs that stimulate the flow of urine, and help remove fluids from the body. Common examples are Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinalis), Burdock root (Arctium lappa) and Corn silk (Zea mays).

Hepatoprotective herbs support and protect the liver. Often they can help regenerate the liver, and examples include milk thistle, rosemary, dandelion, andrographis and schisandra.

Immunomodulants restore balance to a dysfunctional immune system. These are often used in chronic autoimmunity, such as Crohn’s and multiple sclerosis. Many immunomodulants are adaptogens, and vice versa. Examples include Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus), Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Siberian Ginseng root (Eleuthrococcus senticosus), Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera) and Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis).

Respiratory: recurrent viral infections are probably the prime use of astragalus in modern practice.

Circulation: use as a heart tonic in recovery from a wide range of cardiovascular problems as it will help steady the heart beat and improve cardiac performance. It is specific after viral endocarditis.

Urinary: helpful in the aftermath of kidney disease by improving urine elimination and other kidney functions

Metabolic and inflammatory: likely particularly to benefit chronic low-level inflammatory (especially viral) conditions associated with leucopenia and other evidence of compromised immunity. Also helpful in reducing inflammatory pressures in pre-diabetes or “metabolic syndrome’, where there is also high cholesterol and related markers.

Reproductive system: astragalus traditional reputation could be harnessed to supporting women with heavy blood loss from periods; it was also used by midwives in China to help stop postpartum bleeding.

Viral conditions: consider astragalus in supporting regimes recovering from a wide range of viral conditions like endocarditis, cervicitis or pneumonia.

Much of the clinical research literature until recently has been published in China, in Chinese, and relates often to the widespread medical practice there of prescribing astragalus extracts by intravenous injection. This mode of application avoids the digestive breakdown of polysaccharides and so delivers a remedy that is not comparable with traditional oral consumption. Other research literature applies to astragalus in combination with other ingredients.

There is also a considerable research literature that refers to laboratory studies. The difficulty with this evidence is that two key groups of constituents will not reach the tissues unaffected by their transformation in the digestive system. Polysaccharides are unlikely to survive early stomach digestion at all and the saponins will be significantly changed, including by the action of the microbiome.

The following are clinical trials and in vitro studies that refer whole plant extracts taken alone and by mouth or to specific astragalus compounds respectively.

Immune system: In vitro studies have found that Astragalus markedly enhanced cytotoxicity of natural killer cells, and also potentiated interleukin 2 LAK (lymphokine- activated killer) generated cell cytotoxicity. In 9 out of 10 cancer patients astragalus restored T-cell function. Several studies have demonstrated astragalus polysaccharides immune enhancing activity in vitro, and have also confirmed their effectiveness for improving responses of lymphocytes in both normal subjects and cancer patients (5).

Astragalus also has demonstrated numerous mechanisms by which it is effective as an anti-viral , largely as a result of its effects upon the immune system and by enhancing interferon production. These effects have also been demonstrated in clinical trials where a large number of subjects with chronic viral hepatitis had a success rate of 70%. In most cases elevated glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels were normalised within 1- 2 months (5).

Nervous system: In a preliminary randomised controlled clinical trial among patients with post-stroke fatigue astragalus was found to improve fatigue scores in comparison with placebo. It improved cognitive functioning, social functioning, and global quality-of-life scores (1).

Cardiovascular system: In a double-blind crossover clinical trial a supplement with an extract of astragalus was found to improve cholesterol balance and reduce TNF-α (a marker of inflammation) in patients with metabolic syndrome (a precursor to diabetes) (2). Benefits for heart function were also seen when astragalus was added to standard prescriptions in cases of postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (3). 

A diuretic action has been observed in a small placebo-controlled study on healthy men, astragalus increased urinary sodium and chloride excretion during the first 4 hours although not at 12 hours. Test results indicated enhanced kidney responses to endogenous atrial natriuretic peptide. A key saponin astragaloside IV was ruled out as the active principle (4).

Astragalus is derived from a Greek word to describe its reputation for increasing production of goat milk.

Astragalus is native to the northern and eastern parts of China, as well as Mongolia and Korea. Growing in dry, sandy soil, often found in Mountain thickets, steppes, meadows, coniferous forests; montane belt at altitudes of 800 – 2000 metres.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status has no status for A. Membranaceous. The endangered rating of this plant is unclear, however this plant has been included in the China Rare Endangered Plant directory (7).

Traditionally, astragalus is taken as the powdered dried root or decoction. Water will extract the polysaccharides that are likely to be important to the plant’s benefits. Hot water extracts will also contain saponins. Alcoholic tinctures and extracts will contain only low levels of polysaccharides and only saponins if relatively high alcohol ratios are used.

The Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China includes both Astragalus membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mongholicus (synonym: A. mongholicus) in its definition of astragalus. The Japanese Pharmacopoeia officially also permits substitutes including A. chrysopterus, A. floridus and A. tongolensis.

Herbal Medicines are often extremely safe to take, however it is important to supply herbal medicines from a reputed supplier. Sometimes herbs bought from unreputable sources are contaminated, adulterated or substituted with incorrect plant matter.

Some important markers for quality to look for would be to look for certified organic labelling, ensuring that the correct scientific / botanical name is used and that suppliers can share the source of ingredients used in the product. 

A supplier should also be able to tell you where the herbs have come from. There is more space for contamination and adulteration where supply chain is unknown. 

Growing Astragalus from seed is more difficult than other herbs. It is a perennial herb that prefers partial shade and well drained-dry soil (6).

• The seeds require a minimum three week cold stratification period. To further aid germination, soak the seeds in water or scarify the seed coat with fine grade sandpaper before sowing. Seeds can take as long as nine weeks to sprout. 
• Astraglaus prefers full sun to partial shade, in a well-drained sandy loam, neutral to alkaline pH and dry soil.
• Astragalus herb plants can be directly seeded in the garden, but the general recommendation is to give them a head start by sowing indoors during late winter. Transplant seedlings as soon as the danger of frost has passed. 
• Astragalus forms a taproot which can be harvested from a mature plant. it can take anywhere from two to four years for the taproot to grow to a usable size, roots of any age can be harvested. Older roots are considered more potent.

Winter Tonic Elixir

This is a fun and easy-to-make ‘winter tonic elixir’ with a mix of herbs that raise your energy and warm you to the core.

Ingredients:

• Brandy 700ml/25fl oz
• Amaretto 300ml/10fl oz
• Ginseng root 20g/3/4oz
• Astragalus 10g/1/3oz
• Cinnamon bark 10g (about 2 quills)
• Ashwagandha 5g
• Ginger root powder 5g
• Rosemary 2 sprigs
• Orange peel 5g

This makes 1 litre/35fl oz of tasty tincture.

Method:

• Blend the liquids and soak the herbs in it for 1 month and then strain. Bottle half for you and half for a friend.
• Sip on cold winter nights to raise your spirits and keep you strong.

Recipe from Cleanse, Nurture, Restore by Sebastian Pole

1. Liu CH, Tsai CH, Li TC, et al. (2016) Effects of the traditional Chinese herb Astragalus membranaceus in patients with poststroke fatigue: A double-blind, randomized, controlled preliminary study. J Ethnopharmacol. 194: 954-962
2. Fernandez ML, Thomas MS, Lemos BS, et al. (2018) TA-65, A Telomerase Activator improves Cardiovascular Markers in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome. Curr Pharm Des. 24(17): 1905-1911
3. Li NY, Yu H, Li XL, et al. (2018) Astragalus Membranaceus Improving Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Hypertensive Women with Metabolic Syndrome: A Prospective, Open-Labeled, Randomized Controlled Trial. Chin Med J (Engl). 131(5): 516-526
4. Ai P, Yong G, Dingkun G, et al. (2008) Aqueous extract of Astragali Radix induces human natriuresis through enhancement of renal response to atrial natriuretic peptide. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008;116(3):413-421.
5. Bone, K. and Mills, S. (2013). Principles and practice of phytotherapy modern herbal medicine. 2nd ed. Edinburgh Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.
6. www.gardeningknowhow.com. (n.d.). StackPath. [online] Available at: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/astragalus/astragalus-herb-plants.htm [Accessed 20 Sep. 2022].
7. Yang, M., Li, Z., Liu, L., Bo, A., Zhang, C. and Li, M. (2020). Ecological niche modeling of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus medicinal plants in Inner Mongolia, China. Scientific Reports, 10(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-020-69391-3.