Evidence supporting the use of: Astragalus
For the health condition: Liver Detoxification

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is valued as an adaptogen and tonic herb. In TCM, astragalus is often included in herbal formulas aimed at supporting overall vitality and organ function, including the liver. The belief in its value for "liver detoxification" arises from its supposed ability to strengthen Qi (vital energy) and bolster the body's natural defenses. While astragalus is not traditionally described in TCM texts as a “liver detoxifier” in the modern biochemical sense, it is sometimes used to support conditions thought to be related to liver weakness or imbalance.

Scientific studies on astragalus have primarily focused on its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Preclinical research (mainly in animals and cell cultures) has shown that astragalus extracts can exert hepatoprotective effects, such as reducing liver enzyme markers and oxidative stress in models of chemically induced liver injury. However, robust human clinical trials directly demonstrating astragalus’s effectiveness for "liver detoxification" are lacking. The extrapolation from animal studies to human detoxification is therefore speculative.

In summary, the use of astragalus for supporting or treating liver detoxification is primarily justified by traditional practices rather than strong scientific evidence. While there are some preclinical indications of benefits to liver health, high-quality human data are insufficient, and its historical use is more about general vitality than specific detoxification.

More about astragalus
More about Liver Detoxification

Other ingredients used for Liver Detoxification

alfalfa
aloe vera
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
green chiretta
anthocyanins
apple
apricot
arjun tree
artichoke
asparagus
astragalus
barberry
barley
beet
myrobalan
berberine
beta caryophyllene
betel
black cumin
black garlic
radish
Indian frankincense
bovine liver
branched-chain amino acids
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
catalase
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
chicory
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
chokeberry
cinnamon
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
cucumber
turmeric
curcumin
cuspidatum root
d-glucarate
dandelion
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
gardenia
gentian root
ginger
gooseberry
green tea
hibiscus
Indian gum arabic tree
indole-3-carbinol
honeysuckle
knotweed
jujube
kale
kudzu
l-cysteine
l-glutathione
l-methionine
l-ornithine
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
lophatherum leaf
lovage
milk thistle
moringa
naringin
nettle
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
oleanolic acid
orange
perilla
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids
pollen
pumpkin
quercetin
redcurrant
reishi mushroom
rhubarb root
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
selenium
silymarin
spirulina
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin E
seaweed
wasabia japonica
watercress
watermelon
wheat grass
whey protein
mulberry
zinc
sarsaparilla
cascara sagrada
typhonium
neem tree
enicostemma littorale
clerodendrum indicum
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
fumaria parviflora
picrorhiza kurroa
rubia cordifolia
swertia
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
goldenrod
bile salt
morus
myrrh
root tuber
chrysanthemum
ganoderma
lotus seed
birch
couch grass
sheep's sorrel
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
coix
polyporus
gentiana macrophylla
cleavers
noni
biota seed
goji berry
algae
ashitaba
soursop
Arjuna
akebia
Ankaflavin
Anthraquinone
Ardisia
Agrimony
Apigenin
Antrodia camphorata
Achyranthes
Anamu
Albizia
AHCC
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Avocado
Albumin
American Liverleaf
Appleblossom Cassia
Asam gelugor
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Andrographis
Adzuki bean
Alsonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Allyl Sulfide
Alisma
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arjunolic acid
Astragalin
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Blue Flag
Borotutu
Blackthorn
bergenin
Blepharis
Balsam
Brassica
Belleric myrobalan
Beef liver
Barleria
Berberis (unspecified)
Baicalein
Bael
Butternut
Basidiomycota
boldo
Black Gram
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Black Nightshade
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Black root
Bifidobacteria
BCAA
Bupleurum
benzyl isothiocyanate
Bassia scoparia
Bergenia
Bignay
Bottle gourd
Centaury
Chinese Silkvine
cholic acid
Carqueja
Chebulic acid
Coriolus mushroom
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Centaurium erythraea
Cyathula
Chinese Fleeceflower
Cynarin
Chinese Pond Turtle
Cruciferous
Centella asiatica
Capers
Chanca Piedra
Celandine
Cinnamic Acid
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Copalchi
Corktree
C-Phycocyanin
Cabbage
Chirata
Calamus
Chebulinic acid
Corilagin
Coumaric acid
Cynaropicrin
Cynodon dactylon
Carthamus
Clerodendrum indicum
Diallyl sulfide
Dihydromyricetin
DL-Methionine
Deoxyandrographolides
Dithiolthiones
Desmodium
Duckweed
Ellagic Acid
Erodium cicutarium
Emblicanin
Endive
Embelia
Ellagitannin
Emodin
Flavonones
Glycine
Little ironweed
Prickly Pear Cactus
Rhubarb
walnut