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Dietary supplement

Astragalus Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbalist & Alchemist

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Astragalus is a dietary supplement by Herbalist & Alchemist with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for immune support, colds and flu, upper respiratory infections.Based on those ingredients, 208 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are dried Astragalus root extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Astragalus by Herbalist & Alchemist

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: dried astragalus root extract. Astragalus is an herb traditionally used to support immune and energy function.

The liquid also includes distilled water and ethyl alcohol as inactive ingredients (the alcohol serves as a preservative and extraction solvent in liquid herbal formulas).

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Astragalus's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: supports healthy immune function.
  • We looked for evidence on: Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Chemotherapy-induced leukopenia, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Chemotherapy-related fatigue — and 3 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Astragalus is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Chemotherapy-induced leukopenia (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Astragalus is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, and more.

The evidence on astragalus for specific health purposes is not established in the data we hold. Effectiveness ratings for conditions such as hay fever, absent menstruation, aplastic anemia, angina, asthma, and beta-thalassemia are all marked as insufficient reliable evidence to rate — meaning there isn't enough solid research to say whether it works for these uses or not.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Astragalus

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Astragalus is generally well tolerated in the short term by healthy adults, though quality human safety data is limited. Side effects reported in some trials include dizziness, and in one case, a temporary chest pain condition (lacunar angina), though it's unclear whether astragalus actually caused these.

Rapid intravenous doses have caused temporary heart palpitations and rash. The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because there isn't enough reliable information to know it's safe in those situations.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Astragalus

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Astragalus.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications; lithium.
  • For scale: 208 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take immunosuppressants, lithium, cyclophosphamide, or antidiabetes drugs — all are rated Moderate severity interactions with astragalus.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you're in good health and not on any of the medications listed above, astragalus may be worth trying — though the evidence for specific conditions is thin. If you take an immunosuppressant, lithium, cyclophosphamide, diabetes medication, or any other prescription drug, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, because this product could interfere.

Avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Feb 23, 2018.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Astragalus, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbalist & Alchemist
Barcode (UPC) 667056106508
Net contents 2 fl. Oz.; 60 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 23, 2018
DSLD ID 83018
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Organic
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Astragalus by Herbalist & Alchemist, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
4 mL
Servings per container
15
UPC/BARCODE
667056106508
IngredientAmount% DV
dried Astragalus root extract4 mL--

Other ingredients: distilled Water, Ethyl Alcohol

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formula

Astragalus membranaceus

OK

General Statements

Supports healthy immune function

Botanical preparation ratio 1:4

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 40-80 drops (2-4 mL) in juice or water. Take 3 times per day. Shake well before using.

Precautions

Keep out of children's reach

Brand IP Statement(s)

This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

General

NO. AST-2 1730WE

Seals/Symbols

OK

See for yourself

Astragalus by Herbalist & Alchemist label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Astragalus by Herbalist & Alchemist

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container15 Amounts shown are per serving.

Dried Astragalus root extract

Interacts with
208 drugs
4 mL per serving

Astragalus is a root used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, mainly to support the immune system and help the body cope with stress. While...

Dried Astragalus root extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Distilled Water, Ethyl Alcohol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Astragalus by Herbalist & Alchemist Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Astragalus?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
208Drugs
208 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Astragalus with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

dried Astragalus root extract4 drug types · 208 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking astragalus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Clinical research in humans shows that astragalus might have hypoglycemic effects. Theoretically, taking astragalus, especially in combination with other hypoglycemic agents, might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.

Likelihood Probable Evidence A
Cyclophosphamide

Theoretically, astragalus might interfere with cyclophosphamide therapy.
Evidence regarding the effect of astragalus on immunosuppression caused by cyclophosphamide is conflicting. Some animal research suggests that astragalus reverses cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. However, other animal research shows no effect.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, astragalus might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Astragalus seems to stimulate immune function. Theoretically, taking astragalus might decrease the effects of immunosuppressive therapy.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Lithium

Theoretically, astragalus might increase levels and adverse effects of lithium.
Animal research suggests that astragalus has diuretic properties. Theoretically, due to this diuretic effect, astragalus might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Astragalus, from the product label.

Herbalist & Alchemist

See all Herbalist & Alchemist products
Name
Herbalist & Alchemist, Inc.
City
Washington
State
NJ
ZipCode
07882
Phone Number
800-611-8235
Web Address
www.herbalist-alchemist.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Astragalus by Herbalist & Alchemist: Common Questions

Does Astragalus by Herbalist & Alchemist interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Astragalus has a known interaction with 208 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Astragalus contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. The safety data advises against astragalus in pregnancy and while breastfeeding because there isn't enough reliable information. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether another option might work for you.
What's the liquid made of besides the extract?
The product contains distilled water and ethyl alcohol. The alcohol is a standard preservative and solvent in liquid herbal extracts.
How often are side effects reported with astragalus?
Side effects are uncommon. Dizziness and chest discomfort have shown up in a small number of trial participants, though it's unclear whether astragalus actually caused them. Most people taking it short-term don't report problems, but long-term safety data in humans is limited.
I take diabetes medication. Can I use this?
Astragalus itself may lower blood sugar, and combining it with diabetes medication could raise your risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — they may want to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely.
Does this product have any fillers or other ingredients?
The extract itself is the active ingredient. The liquid also contains distilled water and ethyl alcohol as inactive ingredients — there are no other fillers.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Astragalus is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Astragalus label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Astragalus's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 13 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Astragalus 13 references
  1. Upton R, ed. Astragalus Root: Analytical, quality control, and therapeutic monograph. Santa Cruz, CA: American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. 1999:1-25.
  2. Khoo KS, Ang PT. Extract of astragalus membranaceus and ligustrum lucidum does not prevent cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. Singapore Med J 1995;36:387-90.
  3. Chu DT, Wong WL, Mavligit GM. Immunotherapy with Chinese medicinal herbs. II. Reversal of cyclophosphamide-induced immune suppression by administration of fractionated Astragalus membranaceus in vivo. J Clin Lab Immunol 1988;25:125-9.
  4. Sun Y, Hersh EM, Lee SL, et al. Preliminary observations on the effects of the Chinese medicinal herbs Astragalus membranaceus and Ligustrum lucidum on lymphocyte blastogenic responses. J Biol Response Mod 1983;2:227-37..
  5. Ma J, Peng A, Lin S. Mechanisms of the therapeutic effect of astragalus membranaceus on sodium and water retention in experimental heart failure. Chin Med J (Engl) 1998;111:17-23.
  6. Matkovic Z, Zivkovic V, Korica M, et al. Efficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Phytother Res 2010;24:175-81.
  7. Zhang, J. G., Yang, N., He, H., Wei, G. H., Gao, D. S., Wang, X. L., Wang, X. Z., and Song, G. Y. [Effect of Astragalus injection on plasma levels of apoptosis-related factors in aged patients with chronic heart failure.]. Chin J Integr.Med 2005;11(3):18 PubMed
  8. Chen, H. W., Lin, I. H., Chen, Y. J., Chang, K. H., Wu, M. H., Su, W. H., Huang, G. C., and Lai, Y. L. A novel infusible botanically-derived drug, PG2, for cancer-related fatigue: a phase II double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study. Clin Invest PubMed
  9. Tian H, Lu J, He H, et al.The effect of Astragalus as an adjuvant treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A (preliminary) meta-analysis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016;191:206-215. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.062. PubMed
  10. Hong KF, Liu PY, Zhang W, Gui DK, Xu YH. The Efficacy and Safety of Astragalus as an Adjuvant Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Integr Complement Med 2023. PubMed
  11. Chan KW, Kwong ASK, Tsui PN, et al. Add-on astragalus in type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: A multi-center, assessor-blind, randomized controlled trial. Phytomedicine 2024;130:155457. PubMed
  12. Han X, Yu T, Chen X, Du Z, Yu M, Xiong J. Effect of Astragalus membranaceus on left ventricular remodeling in HFrEF: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol 2024;15:1345797. PubMed
  13. Jing P, Hongzheng H, Zhenqi WU, Meijuan Z, Zuojing LI, Gang C. Long-term efficacy and safety of Huangqi ()-based Traditional Chinese Medicine in diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Tradit Chin Med 2024;44(2):

See these in context on the Astragalus monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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