Evidence supporting the use of: Astragalus
For the health condition: Infection
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 commonly used to "tonify Qi" and support the immune system, particularly in the context of preventing or recovering from infections. TCM practitioners have used astragalus for centuries to help the body resist colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses, as well as to support overall vitality. The root is believed to possess adaptogenic and immune-boosting properties, and it is often included in herbal formulas intended to fight infection and support recovery.
Scientific research has begun to investigate these traditional uses, and some laboratory and animal studies suggest that astragalus can modulate immune function, stimulate white blood cell production, and exhibit anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. However, high-quality clinical trials in humans are limited and often show mixed results. The evidence for astragalus as a treatment or preventative for infection in humans is therefore not robust, but traditional use remains strong, and it is still a popular herbal remedy in many cultures. Overall, while the use of astragalus for infection is justified by tradition and partially supported by preliminary scientific findings, more rigorous human studies are needed to fully validate its effectiveness.
Other ingredients used for Infection
2'-Fucosyllactoseajoene
allspice
alpha-pinene
green chiretta
annatto
arabinogalactan
astragalus
bacillus clausii
bayberry
bearberry
myrobalan
Beta-Glucan
betel
bifidobacterium infantis
bisabolol
black pepper
black walnut
burdock
caprylic acid
cassia bark
cat's claw
chaga mushroom
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
cuspidatum root
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
goldenseal
heartwood
immunoglobin G
Indian gum arabic tree
iodine
L12-myoviridae
lactobacillus brevis
lactococcus lactis
lactoferrin
lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
LH01-myoviridae
licorice root
LL12-myoviridae
LL5-siphoviridae
mangosteen
monolaurin
moringa
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
oregon grape
protein
purified silver
reishi mushroom
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
selenium
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
sweet wormwood
T4D-myoviridae
turkey tail mushroom
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
wasabia japonica
zinc
sarsaparilla
yellow root
boneset
hyssop
cardamom
neem tree
malabar nut
hedychium spicatum
pistacia integerrima gall
paederia foetida
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
swertia
bee pollen
chaff flower
pau d'arco
prickly ash
myrrh
yerba santa
amber
flowering quince
fern
oriental arborvitae
birch
eucalyptus
polyporus
white oak
sea salt
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Avens
Agarikon Mushroom
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Aquilegia viridiflora
Alpha-Humulene
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Agave
Allicin
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Asarum heterotropoides
Artesunate
AHCC
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Aureobasidium pullulans
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
Allyl Sulfide
Acemannan
Alkylglycerols
Alliin
Abuta
Alstonia macrophylla
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Animal protein
Bee Propolis
Bifidobacterium
Babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
Blackthorn
Blepharis
Balsam
Beef liver
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Barleria
Berberis (unspecified)
Bisabolene
Basidiomycota
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Backhousia citriodora
Banyan
Barbary matrimony vine
Black Nightshade
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bacteria
Black root
Bupleurum
Bacillus
benzyl isothiocyanate
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Bignay
Croton seeds
Chervil
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Colloidal Silver
coconut oil
Coriolus mushroom
Cactus
Carvacrol
Cymbidium goeringii
Cajuput
Chlorophytum
Catechu
Celandine
Citral
Centipeda
Cistus
Corktree
Cubeb
Cinchona
Chirata
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Cyanthillium cinereum
Cynodon dactylon
Cassava
Chiococca alba
Cocklebur
Celastrus
Copaiba Oil
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Dense Fruit Dittany
Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract
Deoxyandrographolides
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
English Horsemint
Echinacea
Echinodorus
Elephant's Head
Euphorbia
Embelia
Eugenol
Glucanase
Milk Protein
Sandalwood
Sumac
Other health conditions supported by astragalus
Adrenal FatigueAging (prevention)
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Autoimmune Disorders
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Cold Sores
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestive Heart Failure
Convalescence
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Emphysema
Epstein Barr Virus
Failure to Thrive
Fatigue
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Infection
Inflammation
Influenza
Kidney Infection
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Menopause
Nephritis
Nervous Exhaustion
Osteoporosis
Radiation Sickness
Stress
Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infections
Wasting
Wounds and Sores
Products containing astragalus
Nature's Sunshine AdaptaMax
Nature's Sunshine Astragalus
Nature's Sunshine Blood Stimulator TCM
Nature's Sunshine CC-A With Yerba Santa Combination Extract
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Negative Pack
Nature's Sunshine Colostrum (With Immune Factors)
Nature's Sunshine Defense Maintenance
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine KB-C
Nature's Sunshine KB-C TCM Concentrate
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Lung Support (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Lung Support TCM
Nature's Sunshine Mineral-Chi Tonic (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Chi TCM
Nature's Sunshine Nervous Fatigue Formula (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Nervous Fatigue TCM
Nature's Sunshine Nervous System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Respiratory System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator TCM
Nature's Sunshine SUMA (Combination)
Nature's Sunshine Trigger Immune (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Trigger Immune TCM
Nature's Sunshine Uña de Gato (Cat's Claw)
Nature's Sunshine Urinary System