Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
Photo: Doronenko · CC BY 2.5
- Mental
- 2 conditions
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Overview
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), known in China as huang qi, is a perennial reaching about 16 in (40 cm), with hairy stems and compound leaves composed of multiple leaflet pairs. Its root has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, often with other herbs, and NCCIH says it is promoted to improve the response of the immune system. NCCIH says there is not enough reliable evidence to know whether astragalus helps any health condition.
Safety & precautions
Skin Disorders & Acute Illness: It is generally recommended not to use astragalus during active skin disorders or acute infections. Individual Variation: NCCIH says astragalus may be safe by mouth but has not had a thorough safety evaluation, and that people with autoimmune diseases should avoid it. Use it with care if there are any underlying health issues, and it may need to be avoided in certain inflammatory skin conditions.
Educational reference only - not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medications. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Full disclaimer.
Drug interactions
Astragalus may act on the immune system, blood pressure and clotting, which is where most interaction questions come from. [1, 2]
- Immunosuppressants
- NCCIH says astragalus may interact with drugs that suppress the immune system. MSK describes a patient whose tacrolimus level dropped by about half while taking an herbal granule product that contained astragalus. [1, 2]
- Blood thinners
- MSK notes that astragalus and its constituents showed anticoagulant activity in research, which could add to bleeding risk. How much this matters in practice is not known. [2]
- Blood pressure medicines and diuretics
- MSK reports that astragalus lowered blood pressure and increased sodium loss in small studies, so its effects could add to those of these drugs. [2]
- Hormone therapies
- Some constituents behaved like estrogen in research. MSK says any effect on hormone treatment is unknown. [2]
- Medicines broken down by liver enzymes
- LiverTox notes some inhibition of several CYP enzymes in studies, but says no clinically apparent interactions have been reported. [3]
How to read this section: each entry is HerbMate's summary of what the cited sources report. Words such as "may", "theoretical" or "in laboratory or animal studies" mean the effect has not been confirmed in people, and "case report" means it was seen in one or a few patients. A medicine that is not listed here has not been shown to be safe with this herb. The numbers in brackets link to the sources at the foot of the page.
Habitat
Native to Mongolia and northern/eastern China, astragalus thrives in sandy, well-drained soil and full sunlight. Grown from seed in spring or autumn, the roots are harvested from four-year-old plants in the fall.
Sources
The interaction notes and the statements on this page that name a source were written by HerbMate from these references, which were last checked in October 2026. They are summaries, not medical advice; ask a pharmacist about your own medicines.
Traditionally used for
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Frequently asked questions
What safety cautions apply to Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)?
Skin Disorders & Acute Illness: It is generally recommended not to use astragalus during active skin disorders or acute infections. Individual Variation: NCCIH says astragalus may be safe by mouth but has not had a thorough safety evaluation, and that people with autoimmune diseases should avoid it. Use it with care if there are any underlying health issues, and it may need to be avoided in certain inflammatory skin conditions.
Related herbs
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