Astragaloside, a major active compound found in Astragalus membranaceus, is traditionally used in Chinese medicine, often for its adaptogenic, immune-boosting, and tonic properties. In historical herbal practice, Astragalus (Huang Qi) has been employed to "tonify Qi" (vital energy), which is sometimes interpreted in modern terms as supporting general vitality and resilience to stress and fatigue, including what was historically described as "nervous exhaustion" or "neurasthenia." However, the specific compound astragaloside has not been isolated in traditional usage, and most references are to the whole root or extracts.

Scientifically, there is limited direct evidence supporting the use of astragaloside or Astragalus extracts for nervous exhaustion or similar stress-related nervous conditions. Some preclinical studies suggest neuroprotective and anti-fatigue effects, but these are largely animal studies or in vitro experiments, not clinical trials in humans. The use of astragaloside for nervous exhaustion is therefore primarily traditional, with historical use as a restorative and energizing herb, rather than a modality with robust scientific validation for this specific indication.