By Alissa B Daschbach MA BS BA MH

This article will introduce you to one of Vitality’s essential ingredients, Astragulus root, an incredible plant native to Asia that protects your body from degenerative effects of aging and chronic stress.

Astragalus root has multiple powerful actions within the body. Astragalus root reduces stress, enhances immunity, and provides relaxation or energy depending on what your body needs. The  root extract also supports healthy immune function and protects the body’s cells against damage due to its antioxidant capabilities. By supporting the body’s ability to manage persistent stress, Astragalus root helps the human body resist the ill effects it causes, thus improving emotional, mental, and physical stress responses.

Astragalus Root: Background and Benefits

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) is known by the common name milk vetch or Huang Qi. Traditional Chinese Medicine has used astragalus root for thousands of years as an herbal treatment, especially to treat respiratory infections, boost the immune system and to help slow down the effects of aging. Interestingly, it has been said that Ghengis Khan gave astragalus root tea to his soldiers to increase bravery and stamina in battle. Currently, astragalus root is the subject of many studies to evaluate its purported beneficial effects within the human body, including to treat mood and anxiety disorders, respiratory infections, fibromyalgia, and cardiovascular disease.

Benefits of astragalus root:

• Promotes a healthy cardiovascular system
• Reduces effects of stress
• Improves immune function
• Enhances brain functions, including memory
• Antioxidant activity supports healthy cells
• Increases energy and stamina

One of the main benefits of astragalus roots is its ability to act as an adaptogen in the human body, assisting the body’s resistance to the effects of stress and helps the body adapt to stressful changes. Astragalus root essentially helps to protect your body from the deleterious effects of chronic mental and physical stress. Studies have also shown that supplementing with astragalus root extract improves respiratory health, cardiovascular health, and has a general boosting effect on the immune system. Furthermore, astragalus root supplementation helps to support the health of the body’s organs, including the heart, kidneys and liver, while helping to reduce the effects of aging.

Protects the Brain from Anxiety, Stress, and Aging

Astragulus has been an important herb from the Chinese materia medica for its ability to treat various disease processes and protect against aging and age-related diseases. One possible reason for this anti-aging effect is its ability to offer protection against oxidative stress, which can lead to the break down of important membranes that protect neurons from damage. The herbal extract also increases the production of important neurotransmitters that are nutrients that protect the nerve cells from damage and the effects of cognitive decline brought on by aging and a chronic state of stress.

Astragalus root has several actions within the body that work to support the body’s response to aging and the effects of excessive anxiety and stress. A current study has shown that astragalus root contains anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing), antidepressant, and anti-aggressive properties. Other important actions within the human body include:

• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Immune-regulatory
• Neuroprotective
• Anti-aging

Furthermore, several studies have shown that astragalus root extract indeed protects the brain from the effects of aging symptoms, such as poor memory, and can be considered a strong nootropic agent. Supplementing with astragalus root extract may also help treat the symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders. Vitality includes astragulus root into its adaptogenic and nootropic formula to help your body resist the effects of aging and chronic stress while protecting your body from toxins that circulate within your body and from the environment that surrounds you.

Cautions and Contraindications 

As with all supplements, check with your physician before taking Astragalus root supplements to make sure that it is safe for you to use and does not interact with or contraindicate any medications or medical treatments you are currently prescribed.

Astragalus is considered safe for adults and is well-tolerated. If you have any of the following conditions or diseases, avoid use for astragalus may worsen symptoms or lead to complications:

• Auto-immune diseases (for example multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis)
• Pregnant and/or breastfeeding mothers (not enough research has been done to confirm its safety)

Medications that may interact with astragalus root extracts include:

• Cyclophosphamide (immunosuppressant)
• Immunosuppressant medications
• Lithium (may decrease the body's ability to get rid of lithium)

References

Jalsrai, A. et., al. (2019). Neuropsychopharmacological profile of Astragalus membranaceus var. Mongholicus. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences,6,(3), 254-262. Retrieved from ScienceDirect: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095754819301073?via%3Dihub

Liu P, Zhao H, Luo Y. (2017). Anti-Aging Implications of Astragalus Membranaceus (Huangqi): A Well-Known Chinese Tonic. Aging and Disease, 8(6), 868-886. Retrieved from PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29344421/

Pathak, L. (2022). Acute toxicity test and nootropic activity of ethanolic extract of astragalus membranaceus bunge on scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, 12(2). Retrieved from JDDT: http://www.jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/5230

Shing Cho, W. C., & Nam Leung, K. (2007). In vitro and in vivo immunomodulating and immunorestorative effects of Astragalus membranaceus, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 113(1), 132-141. Retrieved from ScienceDirect: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874107002668

Yang QY, Lu S, Sun HR. (2011). Clinical effect of Astragalus granule of different dosages on quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 7(2), 146-149. Retrieved from PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21390582/

Zheng, Y., et., al. (2020). A review of the pharmacological action of Astragulus polysaccharide. Frontiers in Pharmacology. Retrieved from Frontiers in Pharmacology: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.00349/full