Astragalus
Astragalus is a plant of the legume family whose root, huang qi, is used in traditional Chinese medicine, often together with other herbs.
Also listed as huangqi, Danggui Buxue Tang, DBT, Milk-vetch Root
What it is studied for
The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.
What is being studied?
Astragalus root is used in traditional Chinese medicine, often with other herbs. NCCIH describes promising research but insufficient reliable evidence for established clinical use. 1
Key studies
The most recent publications linked to Astragalus's ratings.
Why people take it
SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.
Questions people ask
Does it prevent infections?
The cited review assessed immune responses; changes in markers do not establish infection prevention. 2
Can it replace kidney treatment?
The trial studied astragalus as an addition to standard care, not as a replacement. 3
Is “traditional” a safety guarantee?
No. NCCIH notes incomplete safety evaluation and clinically relevant precautions. 1
Sources
- Astragalus: Usefulness and Safety National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health