The Effects of Astragalus: Can It Prevent The Flu?

As flu season approaches, people increasingly look for natural ways to fight off the effects of the flu virus. Some people even turn to the use of supplements to help get them through the cold and flu season. One commonly used supplement for boosting immunity that’s growing in popularity is astragalus. Astragalus is a herb that’s grown in northern China and used in Chinese herbal medicine to treat a variety of medical conditions. What are the effects of astragalus and should you take it to prevent flu?

What Are They?

Astragalus is not a single herb. There are actually well over 2,000 different species of astragalus – each with slightly different effects on the human body. Although astragalus has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for many years to treat a variety of conditions including infections, hepatitis, heart problems and cancer, it’s only been widely recognized in the United States for about thirty years.

Despite this, the potential of using astragalus to treat some conditions hasn’t escaped the notice of researchers. Small studies have looked at the effects of astragalus on immune function and as a possible cancer therapy. Some of these trials have shown encouraging results, although most were small and not well designed. Animal studies have shown that the heteropolysaccharides found in astragalus may reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. Despite the lack of large studies documenting its effectiveness against cancer, drinking astragalus tea is popular among breast cancer survivors.

How Is It Taken?

Astragalus is sold primarily as a powder made from the dried root of the astragalus plant. To get the effects of astragalus, the powder is made into a tea or added to other liquids such as soup. It’s also available in capsule form and as a tincture on many online vitamin sites. It’s most popular as a tea to be sipped during flu season and is often marketed as an “immunity building tea”.

The Side Effects of Astragalus

The side effects of astragalus are difficult to pinpoint since it’s often used in conjunction with other herbs. It may cause mild stomach upset and can interact with other herbs and medications. There’s also evidence that it lowers blood sugar, blood pressure, and can increase the risk of bleeding which makes it risky for some groups of people. There’s also the risk of allergic reactions.

Although astragalus doesn’t appear to be harmful for the average person, it could cause hypoglycemia in diabetics due to its blood sugar lowering effect and could be risky for people taking blood thinners and those who have a history of bleeding problems. Despite its overall safety, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of research to support its use as an immune booster for flu prevention.

The Bottom Line

Instead of drinking astragalus tea during flu season, it may be more beneficial to sip white tea which has been shown in studies to have anti-viral properties. Most importantly, eat a nutritionally rich diet and get enough sleep. Drinking tea or taking supplements for flu prevention is unlikely to make up for poor lifestyle habits.