Suggested dosing of Astragalus membranaceus (astragalus)
Powder
1-30 g/d PO
Doses > 28 g/day not recommended, no additional benefit and might cause immune suppression
Decoction
0.5-1 L per day (maximum of 120 grams of whole root per liter of water)
Suggested uses of Astragalus membranaceus (astragalus)
URI, common cold, other infections, hepatitis
Breast, cervical, lung cancer (in combo with glossy privet [Ligustrum lucidum])
Efficacy
Insufficient reliable evidence to rate use in breast cancer, lung cancer, hepatitis and the common cold
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: N/A
Lactation: N/A
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Astragalus membranaceus (astragalus)
Mechanism of action
Saponins (e.g. astragaloside), Flavonoids, Polysaccharides
Antioxidants, stimulates interferon, IgA, Igg
