The field of traditional Chinese medicine has used astragalus for thousands of years to alleviate illness and enhance health. The herb is an adaptogen, which indicates it assists in fortifying the body against all types of stress, ranging from physical to mental. Dosage recommendations vary depending on the type of preparation used and the size of the patient.
Indications
Astragalus may be beneficial in the treatment of infections associated with human immunodeficiency virus and in restoring immune function following cancer chemotherapy. Although herbalists recommend astragalus for preventing colds, no studies are available to support this use. Components of the herb display antioxidant properties, relieving symptoms in patients with severe heart disease. Another component exhibits anti-hepatotoxic activity that proves beneficial for the liver. Experiments involving rats revealed the herb has hypotensive and anti-inflammatory effects as well.
Adult Dosage
The common adult dosage is 2 to 6 g per day of the powdered root. You should use a standardized astragalus supplement for best results. The dose for the standardized extract is 250 to 500 mg three to four times per day. You can also make a decoction, which is a strong boiled tea, out of 3 to 6 g of the dried root. You may make the tea in 12 oz. of water, three times a day. The dose for the fluid extract is 2 to 4 mL three times a day. You may take 3 to 5 mL of the tincture three times per day.
Pediatric Dose
Herbalists usually calculate adult dosages based on a 150-lb. person. Using this as a guide, you can calculate an approximate child's dose based on his weight. For example, if the child weighed 30 lb., he would take one-fifth of the adult dose. In the case of astragalus, since the potency and concentration will vary with the type of preparation, the practitioner should determine the dose on an individual basis. The traditional Chinese medical community advises against giving astragalus to a child with a fever, because it will make the condition worse. If a fever is not present, you may give the herb to your child to support his immune system.
Dosage Study in Heart Patients
In a study published in the February 2011 issue of the "Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine," researchers investigated the effects of different doses of astragalus granule on the quality of life in congestive heart failure patients. The scientists divided a group of patients into three groups and gave them a high dose of 7.5 g, a moderate dose of 4.5 g, and a low dose of 2.25 g of astragalus, two times a day, respectively. The heart function of patients in all three groups improved, with the moderate-dose group displaying better results than the low-dose group, and the high-dose group exhibiting the best results.
References
- Drugs.com; Astragalus; 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Astragalus; Steven D. Ehrlich; August 2008
- "Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine"; Clinical Effect of Astragalus Granule of Different Dosages on Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure; Q. Y. Yang, et al.; February 2011
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