Astragalus

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Note: The archived version of this monograph has been temporarily removed. For an electronic copy of this archived version, please contact the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) at NHPD_DPSN@hc-sc.gc.ca.

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Date: January 15, 2008

Proper name(s): Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch. ex Link) Bunge, Fabaceae (Leguminosae) (USDA 2007)

Common name(s): Astragalus, membranous milkvetch, mo jia huang qi, huang qi (McGuffin et al. 2000), milk vetch root (PPRC 2000; Bensky and Gamble 1986)

Source material(s): Dried root (PPRC 2000; Bensky and Gamble 1986)

Route(s) of administration: Oral

Dosage form(s): Those suited to the allowable route(s) of administration.
This monograph is not intended to include food-like dosage forms such as bars, chewing gums or beverages.

Use(s) or Purpose(s): Statement(s) to the effect of:

• Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to tonify the spleen and augment the Qi (vital energy): for spleen deficiency presenting with a lack of appetite, fatigue, and diarrhoea (PPRC 2000; Benksy and Gamble 1986).
• Used in TCM to tonify the lungs and for frequent colds (PRC 1998; Benksy and Gamble 1986).
• Used in TCM to augment the protective Qi and stabilize the exterior: for deficiency with spontaneous sweating (PPRC 2000; Benksy and Gamble 1986).

Dose(s): Preparations equivalent to 9-30 g dried, cut root prepared as a decoction, per day (PPRC 2000; Benksy and Gamble 1986)
Directions for use: Add water to 3-5 cm higher than the surface of the dried root, let sit for 60 minutes. Boil for 20-25 minutes, remove and drink.
To make an additional preparation from the same dried root, add fresh water to 1-2 cm higher than surface of the dried root, boil for 15-20 minutes, remove and drink (Cao 1996).

Duration of use: No statement required.

Risk information: Statement(s) to the effect of:

Caution(s) and warning(s):

• Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen.
• Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you have an autoimmune disorder (Brinker 2001; Upton 1999).
• Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Contraindication(s): According to TCM, do not use in cases of exterior excess, Qi stagnation, damp obstruction, food stagnation, Yin deficiency with heat signs, or skin lesions in their early stages or where there is a heat toxin (Bensky and Gamble 1986).

Known adverse reaction(s): No statement required.

Non-medicinal ingredients: Must be chosen from the current NHPD List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients and must meet the limitations outlined in the list.

Specifications: Must comply with the minimum specifications outlined in the current NHPD Compendium of Monographs.

References cited:

Bensky D, Gamble A. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica. Revised Edition. Seattle (WA): Eastland Press, Incorporated; 1993.

Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 3^rd edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 2001.

Cao C. Chinese Drug Pharmaceutics: Chinese Collegiate Textbooks for Medical Institutions of Higher Learning. Beijing (China): Shanghai Science and Technology Publisher; 1996 (in Chinese).

McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. Herbs of Commerce, 2^nd edition. Austin(TX): American Herbal Products Association; 2000.

PPRC 2000: Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. English Edition, Volume 1. Compiled by The State Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. Beijing (China): Chemical Industry Press; 2000.

PRC 1998: The People’s Republic of China. Comprehensive Chinese Materia Medica, 1st version. Editorial board of Comprehensive Chinese Materia Medica of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China. Shanghai (China): Shanghai Science and Technology Publishing House; 1998 (in Chinese).

Upton R, editor. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium: Astragalus Root. Santa Cruz (CA): American Herbal Pharmacopoeia; 1999.

USDA 2007: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Astragalus. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Accessed 2007-12-17]. Available from: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl

References reviewed:

Peirce A. Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York (NY): The Stonesong Press, Inc; 1999.