Safety Profile
Overall safety rating: Generally Safe
Astragalus Side Effects & Safety
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer
Potential Side Effects
- Generally well-tolerated at recommended doses
- Mild GI upset (bloating, diarrhea) in some individuals
- May increase urination
- Theoretical risk of immune overstimulation in autoimmune conditions
Drug & Supplement Interactions
- May interact with immunosuppressant medications (enhances immune function)
- May enhance effects of anticoagulant drugs
- May lower blood sugar — monitor with diabetes medications
- May interact with lithium (affects excretion)
- May enhance or reduce effects of cyclophosphamide
Maximum Dose
Do not exceed: 2000mg extract daily (traditional decoctions use higher amounts of raw root)
References
- McCulloch M, See C, Shu XJ, et al. (2006). Astragalus-based Chinese herbs and platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Oncology. DOI PubMed
- Harley CB, Liu W, Blasco M, et al. (2011). A natural product telomerase activator as part of a health maintenance program. Rejuvenation Research. DOI PubMed