Astragalus Root
Also known as: Huang Qi, Astragalus membranaceus, Milk Vetch Root, Bei Qi
Effective Dosage
500-1600 mg daily based on study doses
What the Science Says
Astragalus root is a dried root from the Astragalus membranaceus plant, used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Early human trials suggest it may reduce chronic fatigue — one small randomized trial found significant fatigue reduction in nurses taking 500 mg twice daily for several weeks. Preliminary clinical and animal data also suggest it may support kidney function by reducing oxidative stress and blood pressure in people with mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to cure or prevent COVID-19 or any viral infection in humans. No solid evidence it boosts immunity in healthy people. Don't expect it to reverse serious kidney disease — animal studies don't translate directly to humans. The cancer-related research (calycosin derivatives) is lab-only and nowhere near human use. Not a proven treatment for any condition.
Evidence-Based Benefits
No papers were provided to support any specific efficacy claims. Astragalus root is a traditional Chinese medicine herb commonly marketed for immune support and adaptogenic properties, but no study abstracts were available in this evidence summary to substantiate or quantify these effects. Any claims made here would be based on general knowledge rather than the provided research, which violates the analysis protocol.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies
Source: auto-research
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no pharmacokinetic data provided in the available studies. Traditional preparations use water extracts, suggesting water-soluble compounds are the primary active fraction.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Most human trials are small (30–64 participants) and conducted in specific populations like nurses or CKD patients — results may not apply broadly
- Many studies use multi-herb formulas, making it impossible to isolate astragalus's specific effects
- The kidney-function study was a self-controlled case series (no control group), which is a weak study design
- Animal and lab-cell findings (cancer, immune modulation) are frequently overhyped in marketing but have not been tested in humans
- High-dose safety data comes from rats only — human safety at therapeutic doses is not well characterized in these studies
Products Containing Astragalus Root
See how Astragalus Root is used in these analyzed products:
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-04-06