What is Astragalus extract?
Astragalus is also known as "tragacanth" or "buckthorn". The genus name Astragalus is Greek, the German name is Tragant. This term in turn is derived from the Greek word "tragacantha", which means buckthorn. Up to 3000 different species of Astragalus are known. From a medicinal point of view, Astragalus membranaceus is the most important. The name refers to the membranous roots of the plant.
Where does Astragalus come from?
The small herbaceous plant with the many names belongs to the papilionaceous family. Astragalus membranaceus originally comes from China and Mongolia. Today, the plant grows in almost the entire northern hemisphere. Astragalus membranaceus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Even the oldest Chinese book on medicinal plants attributed positive effects to the roots of Astragalus - known as "Huáng qí". Knowledge of the plant spread to the Mediterranean region via the Arab world and finally to northern Europe, where the plant became known as buckthorn.
The concentrated extract of the ripe harvested root is used in food supplements containing astragalus. The extract contains a variety of ingredients, including fatty acids, amino acids and minerals such as calcium, iron and selenium.
What was astragalus traditionally used for in the past?
In traditional Chinese medicine, tragacanth has always been used to improve vital energy, known as qi, and to strengthen the body's defences and immune system. A general toning effect was attributed to it early on. In ancient times, the sarcocolla resin, the resinous excretion of the astragalus plant also known as Persian gum, was used in particular to treat abscesses and eye inflammation.
What is astragalus used for today?
Even today, tragacanth is still used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat exhaustion and general weakness. Studies suggest that the active ingredients it contains have a positive effect on the immune system [1]. Tragacanth is also popular as a remedy for allergies. Some studies have concluded that allergy symptoms decrease after taking astragalus [2,3].
The roots of the plant contain polysaccharides and astragalosides, among other things. The polysaccharides are also said to have a positive effect on blood sugar levels. The roots are also used to treat type 2 diabetes, as it is hoped that they increase the body's responsiveness to insulin [4].
In addition, Astragalus membranaceus has been reported to have a positive effect on cholesterol levels [5]. The importance of cholesterol for health is well known. Excessively high cholesterol levels in overweight and diabetic patients can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
A healthy lifestyle is essential despite taking Astragalus membranaceus. After all, how well the immune system works always depends on many factors.
Is the effect of Astragalus root proven?
The actual effect of Astragalus membranaceus has not been conclusively clarified. The information from various studies on the effect of astragalus extract in the human body indicates some positive effects (see section: "What is astragalus used for today?"). Many people are also guided by testimonials from acquaintances who tell them about the positive effects of capsules containing astragalus root extract. Traditional Chinese medicine is also very popular with many people. In addition to a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet, others also rely on the effects of dietary supplements to strengthen the body and immune system.
What should be considered when taking astragalus extract?
It should be noted whether the capsules contain other ingredients in addition to the astragalus root and how many mg of extract are contained in a capsule, as this can influence the effect. An astragalus extract capsule from vitaworld contains 500 mg, 250 mg of which are polysaccharides. A daily dose of two capsules of astragalus extract therefore contains 1000 mg of astragalus extract, 500 mg of which are polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are complex polysaccharides. They consist of simple sugars and belong to the group of carbohydrates. Apart from the plant-based shell of the capsule, no other substances have been added.
The capsules are generally described as well tolerated. However, there is too little experience and information on the effect on breastfeeding and pregnant women, so they should refrain from taking astragalus root.
Sources:
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28830214/
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19504468/
[3] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.2877
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3855992/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3306992/