Astragalus is a medicinal herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to protect the body from stress and disease, usually in combination with other herbs. It might contain antioxidants, which means it boosts the immune system and increases the effectiveness of some cancer treatments. However, there is too little scientific evidence to know if astragalus works or not. Astragalus may cause side effects and pose some health risks for certain people. Talk to your doctor before taking astragalus.
Uses
Astragalus is used in China to improve the immune system and is still often used to treat chronic hepatitis and cancer, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM. It is sometimes used to treat the common cold and other respiratory infections as well as heart disease. Some people take astragalus in hopes it will reduce the toxic side effects of cancer chemotherapy and help kill cancer cells.
Lack of Evidence
There is no solid scientific evidence that astragalus works for any use, according to NCCAM. This is because there have been almost no quality research conducted in people; until the herb is studied in people, there is no way to know if it works or not. Most of the research on astragalus has been done in animals or test tubes. "The consensus of available scientific evidence does not support claims that astragalus can prevent or cure cancer in humans or decrease the toxic effects of chemotherapy or other conventional cancer treatments,'' reports the American Cancer Society.
Side Effects
Because astragalus is usually taken in combination with other herbs, there is little information about potential side effects, according to NCCAM. There have been some reports of people experiencing bloating, diarrhea, low blood pressure and dehydration. Astragalus may also cause allergic reactions, though they are rare. You are more likely to have an allergic reaction if you are allergic to legumes, such as peas and beans.
Precautions
If you have an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, talk to your doctor before taking astragalus, as it may worsen your condition. If you are taking medications that suppress the immune system, such as corticosteroids, the cancer drug cyclophosphamide, or the anti-rejection drugs taken by transplant patients, do not take astragalus without talking to your physician first. Because astragalus affects the immune system, it may interfere with your medication. Astragalus might also affect blood pressure and blood sugar, which could be a problem if you have high or low pressure or diabetes.
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