Evidence supporting the use of: Astragalus
For the health condition: Stress
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) is a prominent herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), commonly used for its purported ability to strengthen "qi" (vital energy) and support the body's resilience against various stresses, including physical and mental stress. In TCM, astragalus is believed to act as an adaptogen, helping the body adapt to external stressors and maintain balance. Traditionally, practitioners have used astragalus root in herbal formulas designed to counteract fatigue, boost vitality, and enhance the immune system, all of which are considered important for managing stress.
However, when examining the scientific literature, evidence supporting the use of astragalus specifically for stress (especially psychological stress) is limited. Most studies on astragalus focus on its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Some preclinical research suggests that astragalus may help reduce the impact of oxidative stress and improve resistance to physical stress in animal models, but robust clinical trials in humans targeting psychological or generalized stress are lacking. Therefore, the use of astragalus for stress is primarily justified by centuries of traditional use rather than strong scientific validation. The evidence rating is a 2, reflecting weak human evidence and the predominance of historical rather than modern scientific support.
Other ingredients used for Stress
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
7-Keto-DHEA
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Agarwood
Agastache
Agmatine
Agrimony
Akebia
Albizia
Algal protein
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-pinene
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
anemarrhena asphodeloides
anise
Anserina
antler
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
Aralia
Arginine aspartate
arjun tree
arjuna
ashitaba
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
baccosides
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
baicalein
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
banana
banyan
Basidiomycota
bee pollen
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
betony
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
biota seed
bird\'s nest
black ginger
Black spruce
black tea
bonito peptide
borage
brahmi
Buddha\'s hand
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
C-phycocyanin
calamus
Calea zacatechichi
California poppy
Canscora
Capitate Valerian
cardamom
caterpillar mushroom
catnip
catuaba
Celastrus
Centella asiatica
Centella triterpenes
chaga mushroom
chamomile
cherimoya
Chinese fleeceflower
Chinese mountain ant
chocolate
chuchuhuasi
Clary sage
Clerodendrum phlomidis
coca
cocoa
Codonopsis
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Convolvulus prostratus
cordyceps
coriander
corktree
Corydalis
cowslip
curcumin
Cymbopogon martini
cypress
damiana
date
devil\'s club
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dibenzo-alpha pyrones
dismutase
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
dodeca-2E, 4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide
dong quai root
eleuthero
emblicanin
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Eplotab
Erythrina
Eurycoma Longifolia
Ficus religiosa
fish
fish protein
flavones
fo-ti
fragrant rosewood
frankincense
Fumaria parviflora
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
galactooligosaccharides
gardenia
gastrodin
Gelsemium
Ginsenosides
Glycine
goji berry
goldthread
gotu kola
green tea
Griffonia simplicifolia
guayusa
gum
heartwood
Hemidesmus
hericium mushroom
hibiscus
Homalomena
honeybush
Honokiol
hops
Hypericum
isoliquiritigenin
Japanese kadsura
jasmine
Jatamansi
jiaogulan
jujube
jujubosides
kanna
kava
kavalactones
kola nut
kuding tea
kudzu
Kukicha
L-ornithine
L-taurine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactalbumin
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactium casein decapeptide
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus helveticus
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactucarium
Lactucopicrin
Large-leaved linden
Lavandin
lavender
lemon balm
Lentinula edodes mycelia
Leptadenia
limonene
linden
lingzhi
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
longan
lotus
lupulinum
Lycium
maca
macaenes
macamides
magnesium
magnolia
magnolol
mandarin
mangiferin
maral root
Marjoram
Matcha
Mate
Meadow sage
Melatonin
Mentha haplocalyx
Mesembrine
Methylxanthine
Mimosa
Mimulus
Mint
Mistletoe
Monkey flower
Motherwort
Muira puama
Mulberry
Mulungu
Mung bean
Myrcene
Nardostachys
Night jessamine
noni
Nymphaea caerulea
oat
oolong tea
orchid
oriental arborvitae
Oxindole alkaloids
passionflower
Passionfruit
Patchouli oil
Pentatropis capensis
Pepper Bark Tree
Peppermint
perilla
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
pine bark
Piper chaba
Pistachio
Polygala
polygala root
poppy
pregnenolone
Purple Monkeyflower
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quail egg
Rauvolfia
Rehmannia
relora® (proprietary)
Rhodiola
Rooibos
Rosabin
rosavins
rose
rose oil
Safed musli
saffron
Safranal
Salidroside
Sandy Everlasting
Sarivan
sarsaparilla
sceletium
Schisandrins
Schizandrol A
Scleranthus annus
Semecarpus anacardium
sesame
Shankhpushpi
Shataverins
Shilajit
Sida cordifolia
silk tree
skullcap
spearmint leaf
Speedwell
Spikenard
spinach
St. John's Wort
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
star of Bethlehem
suma
Sumbul
Sweet Woodruff
Tagara
Taurine
Taxillus chinensis
Tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids
Tetrahydropalmatine
Traveler's Joy
Trichilia catigua
Trichopus zeylanicus
Uncaria
Valerenic acid
Valerian root
Vanilla
velvet bean
Verbena
Vetiver
Viburnum
Vine tea
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
Vitexin
Waterhyssop
whole adrenal glandular
Withanolides
Wogonin
Wood betony
Xanthine
Xanthone
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yerba mate
Ylang ylang
Yohimbine
Yumberry
Yuzu
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by astragalus
Adrenal FatigueAging (prevention)
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Autoimmune Disorders
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Cold Sores
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestive Heart Failure
Convalescence
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Emphysema
Epstein Barr Virus
Failure to Thrive
Fatigue
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Infection
Inflammation
Influenza
Kidney Infection
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Menopause
Nephritis
Nervous Exhaustion
Osteoporosis
Radiation Sickness
Stress
Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infections
Wasting
Wounds and Sores
Products containing astragalus
Douglas Laboratories
Astragalus Max-V
Pure Encapsulations
Daily Immune
Pure Encapsulations
EpiIntegrity
Designs For Health
Immune Support Packets
Designs For Health
Immunitone Plus™
Pure Encapsulations
Innate Immune Support
Designs For Health
Kidney Korrect™
Designs For Health
Organic ImmunoBerry™ Liquid
Thorne
Phytogen
Thorne
Stress Balance Phytisone
Pure Encapsulations
Th2 Modulator
