Last updated: 17/10/2022

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A bright sunny warm day begins. The trees and flowers are beginning to bloom. But unfortunately you can’t enjoy it because of your pollen allergy. You try to keep the pollen away as best you can, but your eyes itch, water and are already swollen. You are looking for remedies that can relieve these symptoms. Astragalus could be one of the remedies to fight your allergy. In our product comparison, we will introduce you to different varieties of astragalus and their essential features.




Summary

  • Taking astragalus can help strengthen your immune system as well as cell renewal and health. Although there are hardly any side effects, people with pre-existing conditions should consult a doctor.
  • When taking astragalus you have the choice between capsules, tincture, powder and raw material. With capsules and tincture, you should pay attention to the concentration and extraction ratio.
  • Since there are no clear, standardised guidelines for the production and labelling of supplements, prices and contents can vary greatly.

The Best Astragalus in the United Kingdom: Our Choices

Buying and evaluation criteria for astragalus

The following buying criteria should help you compare and find the astragalus supplement that is right for you.

In the following, we will explain the purchase criteria in more detail so that you know what to look out for.

Dosage form

As astragalus is taken orally, you can find the supplement as powder, capsules, extract or in its original form as a root. Powders and tinctures work well as an addition to your meals and drinks. While the dried root can often be infused as a tea or added to soups. It depends on your individual preference how you take astragalus.

Type

The best known and most commonly used species of astragalus is Astragalus Membranaceus, also known as Astragalus Propinquus, Astragalus Mongholicus, Mongolian tragacanth, Chinese tragacanth, buckthorn or Huang Qi. Occasionally, Astragalus Glycyphyllos and Astragalus Gummifer are also used. However, most Astragalus species are poisonous or are used as animal feed.

Concentration

As with other supplements and medications, you should be careful how concentrated the astragalus product is. This way you can avoid under- or overdosing.

Ingredients

If possible, the astragalus ingredients should not contain any additives such as lactose, gluten or dyes, but only the astragalus root itself. Astragalus leaves, flowers or seeds should also not be added.

Guide: Frequently asked questions about astragalus answered in detail

Below we answer the most important questions so that you can get a rough overview of the supplement astragalus.

What is astragalus?

Astragalus, also known as tragacanth, is a plant with about 3000 species and belongs to the legume and papilionaceous family. The yellow root of Astragalus Membranaceus, which grows in northern China and Mongolia, is mainly used for the supplement. The healing effect comes exclusively from the yellowish tragacanth root. From the species Astragalus Glycyphyllos and Astragalus Gummifer a plant gum can be obtained, which on the one hand is used for desserts and baked goods due to its slightly sweet taste. On the other hand, this plant gum can also be used as an emulsifier for the production of various creams.

How does astragalus work?

Especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Astragalus Membranaceus has been attributed with many healing effects for several thousand years, such as anti-aging and immune strengthening. Astragalus is said to have a preventive effect against allergies due to its polysaccharides, amino acids and fatty acids.

Astragalus-0

Astragalus is available in different forms. The most popular variant is capsules. (Image source: Michele Blackwell / Unsplash)

Astragalus glycyphyllos or astragalus gummifer can help with coughs and kidney weakness. Expectant and new mothers can benefit from better milk production.

What side effects can occur when taking astragalus?

Side effects are very rare when taking astragalus, as astragalus is considered to be very well tolerated. Nevertheless, dizzy spells, low blood sugar levels and low blood pressure may occur in isolated cases. Caution is also advised when mixing astragalus with other supplements and medicines.

Who is astragalus suitable for?

In principle, everyone can take astragalus. Allergy sufferers in particular could benefit from astragalus use. However, the following groups of people should definitely consult a doctor before taking astragalus:

  • Pregnant women
  • Breastfeeding
  • Diabetics
  • Autoimmune patients
  • Transplant patients
  • Cancer patients

How much astragalus can you take?

It is best to use the dosage recommended by the respective manufacturer. In general, however, you should take a little less astragalus at the beginning and increase it slowly. We recommend a daily dose of approx. 9 g to 30 g dried root or 320 mg extract.

How much does astragalus cost?

The price of astragalus supplements varies depending on the manufacturer, content and concentration. The table below should give you an overview:

Price range Astragalus Supplement
Low-priced (0.10 – 0.20 €/piece or 100 – 200 €/kg) usually little content, low concentration, many fillers and additives
Medium-priced (0.20 – 0.50 €/piece or 200 – 300 €/kg) Mostly some additives and fillers
High-priced (from 0.50 €/piece or from 300 €/kg) Mostly much content, high concentration, no admixture of additives or fillers, pure astragalus root

As there are unfortunately no guidelines for astragalus supplements at the moment, prices can vary greatly. Manufacturers can currently still charge high prices for mediocre products.

Conclusion

The yellow Astragalus Membranaceus root has been considered a medicinal plant in China for thousands of years. It strengthens the immune system both preventively and acutely and alleviates allergies such as hay fever. When buying, pay special attention to the ingredients and the concentration content of the tragacanth root. We hope that this guide has helped you with your purchase decision. If you take astragalus in combination with other supplements or medicines, we recommend that you consult a doctor. This way you can ensure that all the active ingredients can develop optimally.

(Image source: 罗 宏志 / 123rf)

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