Astragalus Dangers

Regulation

• The United States Food and Drug Administration does not regulate herbal supplements and alternative medicines in the same way that it regulates foods and prescription drugs. Because the FDA does not regulate herbal remedies, astragalus products can claim a number of health benefits without proper scientific inquiry. The scientific data regarding the benefits of astragalus is limited, particularly in the areas of treating cancer and cardiovascular disease. Even if astragalus products do not cause any immediate adverse affects, you may forgo additional, scientifically supported treatments if you opt to solely treat serious ailments with astragalus.

Allergic Reactions

• Astragalus shrubs and herbs are members of the legume family, which also includes common plants like soybeans, peas and peanuts. If you have an existing allergy to legumes or any member of the legume family, its likely that you may exhibit allergic symptoms ranging from mild rashes to more severe anaphylactic reactions. People with asthma are also susceptible to allergic reactions if their asthma is triggered by bark or pollen, as astragalus extracts may also contain traces of the astragalus sap. Because astragalus is rarely sold as a pure extract and is more commonly sold in multi-ingredient supplements, it can be difficult to identify whether or not a supplement contains the potentially triggering ingredient.

Negative Side Effects

• Identifying the side effects of astragalus is difficult because astragalus is usually one of many ingredients listed in an herbal supplement. Herbal supplements containing astragalus have been linked to incidences of increased or sporadic heart rate, digestive discomfort and disruptions in blood pressure. Astragalus may also act as a diuretic and increase your risk of dehydration if you are suffering from a fluid imbalance. Be particularly careful about using astragalus if you have a blood disorder, as astragalus has been linked to an increased risk of bleeding or an inability to clot properly. Combining astragalus with other medications also presents certain risks as astragalus supplements may interfere with proper absorption of other medications.