✓ No active regulatory warningsFDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
Updated: 2026-05-29 · v2.0 · Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhDCiteEditorial
📰Read the full Astragalus evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.
1
Safe
Astragalus
Astragalus membranaceus
Generally SafeModerateBotanicals
RDA
Typical 500–2,000 mg
Target
N/A
Upper limit
No UL
Products
217
Dosage by population group — reference
🔗 Best with: Reishi, Echinacea, Elderberry✅ USP Verified, ConsumerLab Approved, Clean Label Project Certified
⚠ Telomerase activation claims (TA-65) are premature — no human lifespan data [1]
⚠ Transplant/autoimmune — immunostimulation [1]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
ℹ️ No validated blood test. There is no established laboratory test to assess status or guide dosing for this ingredient. Clinical response and symptoms are the practical guide.
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
Astragalus (Huang Qi) is a 2,000-year TCM immune tonic with polysaccharide immunomodulation and cycloastragenol telomerase activation (in vitro). TA-65 longevity claims are premature. Modest evidence for URI reduction and cancer adjunct (Chinese trials). Avoid with immunosuppressants [1] [2].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
Traditional TCM use. No modern data [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
Traditional pediatric use in TCM. Limited modern data [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose

How to take

🍽 Timing: Any time [1].
💊 With food: With or without food [1].
🚫 Avoid: Immunosuppressants [1].
2 Which form?
FormBioavailabilityVeganCost
['Astragalus root extract (standardized)', 'preferred', 'Standardized to astragalosides or polysaccharides [2].']StandardCheck label
['Dried root slices', 'common', 'Traditional decoction. Simmered in soups [1].']StandardCheck label
['TA-65 (cycloastragenol)', '', 'Expensive telomerase-activating extract. Longevity marketing [1].']StandardCheck label
3 Common questions
Does astragalus extend telomeres? ▼
Cycloastragenol activates telomerase in vitro. The TA-65 product is marketed for longevity. Human evidence for actual telomere lengthening or lifespan extension is NOT established [1].
Is astragalus safe long-term? ▼
Traditional use for 2,000+ years with an excellent safety record. Modern trials up to 12 weeks show good safety [2].
4 Clinical evidence

Strong

Immunomodulatory polysaccharides: enhance macrophage and NK cell activity in vitro [1]. Cycloastragenol telomerase activation: confirmed in vitro [1]. HIGH

Moderate

Immune function: some trials show reduced URI frequency [2]. Adjunctive cancer therapy: Chinese meta-analyses suggest improved quality of life when added to chemo (quality concerns) [2]. Cardiovascular: may improve cardiac function in heart failure (Chinese trials) [2]. MODERATE

Insufficient

Longevity (telomerase activation in humans) [1]. Diabetes [1]. Hepatoprotection [1]. Kidney disease [1]. LOW
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events

Relative

⚠ Concurrent immunosuppressants (e.g., organ transplant) — opposes therapy
⚠ Autoimmune disease — immunostimulant
⚠ May affect blood glucose and blood pressure
⚠ Pregnancy and lactation — insufficient safety data

🚩 Red flags

● Immunosuppressed patients [1]
6 Interactions

Drug interactions

Immunosuppressants Moderate
Mechanism: Immune enhancement. [1]
Effect: May oppose immunosuppression. [1]
Action: Avoid [1].

Supplement synergies

Reishi · 1,000–1,500 mg reishi
Classic TCM immune combination [1].
7 Regulatory
China: Official pharmacopoeia. Foundational TCM herb [1].
United States: Dietary supplement [1].
8 US supplement products
217
on-market products containing Astragalus (NIH DSLD)

Brands carrying Astragalus (120)

Click a brand to see its Astragalus products.
Or browse all 217 products in one list →
9 Frequently paired with
Silicon 89 sharedMagnesium 88 sharedVitamin C 84 sharedZinc 72 sharedCalcium 65 shared
Astragalus vs ReishiAstragalus vs Echinacea
10 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. Astragalus — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Sep 01]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/astragalus/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Astragalus — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/astragalus/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: March 2027
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "Astragalus — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/astragalus/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG
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