Check a pair

Astragalus

Premier Chinese immune tonic supporting adaptive immunity, energy, and longevity with potent immunomodulating properties

Scientific nameAstragalus membranaceus FormulaVarious polysaccharides and saponins Molecular weightVariable natural compounds g/mol CASVarious natural compounds
65 absorption score
8 safety / 10
40 USD per month
5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level C

Astragalus with:

Compatibility score 75 out of 100
75 out of 100
Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Immune system enhancement and support

Strengthens immune system function and resistance to infections

Polysaccharides and saponins enhance immune cell activity and antibody production Evidence B-grade 4-8 weeks

Energy and vitality boost

Traditional qi tonic supporting energy levels and reducing fatigue

Adaptogenic compounds support cellular energy production and stress resistance Evidence B-grade 2-6 weeks

Respiratory health and seasonal support

Supports respiratory health and seasonal immune challenges

Immune-enhancing effects specifically benefit respiratory tract immunity Evidence B-grade 2-8 weeks

Cardiovascular health support

Supports heart health and cardiovascular function

Cardiotonic effects improve heart function and circulation Evidence C-grade 8-16 weeks

Anti-aging and longevity support

Traditional longevity herb supporting healthy aging

Antioxidant and immune-supporting effects promote cellular health and longevity Evidence C-grade 12-24 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine
Astragalus + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Astragalus + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Astragalus + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Astragalus + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Astragalus + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Astragalus + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Astragalus + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Astragalus + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Astragalus + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Astragalus + Vitamin D3 Enhanced immune system support and antioxidant protection Works better together 75
Astragalus + Panax Ginseng Enhanced adaptogenic and energy-supporting effects Works better together 75
Astragalus + Echinacea Comprehensive immune system enhancement Works better together 80

Dosage

With meals
Daily1000-3000mg
Immune enhancement1000-3000mg daily
Energy vitality1000-2000mg daily
Respiratory support1500-3000mg daily
Longevity support1000-2000mg daily

Before you take it

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects2-6 weeks for energy boost and initial immune benefits
Peak Benefits8-16 weeks for sustained immune enhancement and vitality support
Deficiency DevelopmentNot applicable - herbal supplement
Toxicity OnsetRare, mainly autoimmune considerations

How to measure it

$150-250
MarkerComplete blood count, immune markers (IgG, IgA), inflammatory markers
OptimalEnhanced immune cell counts, improved antibody levels
Deficient belowNot applicable for herbal supplement
FrequencyEvery 6-12 months for immune function monitoring

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 15 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Dizziness 3
Vomiting 3
Dyspnoea 3
Hepatic enzyme increased 3
Diarrhoea 2
Named as the suspect 15 reports of 27 that mention it at all
Serious outcome 76% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse
Other Serious or Important Medical Event9
Hospitalization5
Other Serious Outcome4

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Absorption High 65 of 100 · absorbs well relative to other forms
Delivered daily 1300 mg
Cost per 100 mg delivered $0.10 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented
+
Vitamin C

Enhanced immune system support and antioxidant protection

Both support immune function through complementary pathways · level C
+
Echinacea

Comprehensive immune system enhancement

Synergistic immune-stimulating effects for acute and chronic support · level C
+
Ginseng

Enhanced adaptogenic and energy-supporting effects

Both are premier adaptogenic tonics in Traditional Chinese Medicine · level C

What not to take with Astragalus

2 documented
!
Immunosuppressive Substances

May counteract immunosuppressive effects

Immune-enhancing effects oppose immunosuppression · high significance
!
Excessive Alcohol

Alcohol may reduce immune benefits

Alcohol suppresses immune function that astragalus supports · moderate significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining
immunosuppressive-medications Moderate

May reduce effectiveness of immunosuppressive drugs

What to do: Avoid concurrent use

lithium Minor

May affect lithium levels

What to do: Monitor lithium levels

diabetes-medications Minor

May affect blood sugar levels

What to do: Monitor blood glucose

Available forms

bioavailability compared
Astragalus Root Extract (Standardized Polysaccharides) 65

Astragalus Root Extract (Standardized Polysaccharides): Excellent immune support, Energy enhancement, Good research, Traditional validation

Food sources

before you supplement
Astragalus root (dried) Traditional herbal preparation · 60
Astragalus tea Moderate polysaccharide extraction · 55
Standardized extracts Concentrated polysaccharides and saponins · 65
Not found in common foods Specific herb preparation required · N/A

Too little

deficiency signs
  • Not applicable (herbal supplement, not essential nutrient):
  • General symptoms addressed by astragalus:
  • Frequent infections and poor immune function
  • Chronic fatigue and low energy levels
  • Poor recovery from illness or stress
  • Seasonal immune challenges and respiratory issues
  • Signs of premature aging and low vitality

Too much

toxicity signs
  • Generally safe with some considerations:
  • Immune overstimulation in autoimmune conditions
  • Mild digestive upset with high doses
  • Possible drug interactions with immunosuppressants
  • Excellent long-term safety profile

Who benefits most

immune-enhancement-frequent-illness

Premier immune system enhancement for frequent infections and low immunity

1000-3000mg daily (or 9-30g dried root)
energy-fatigue-vitality

Traditional qi tonic for energy enhancement and fatigue reduction

1000-2000mg daily
respiratory-seasonal-support

Respiratory health and seasonal immune challenge support

1500-3000mg daily
longevity-anti-aging

Traditional longevity support and healthy aging enhancement

1000-2000mg daily
cardiovascular-heart-health

Traditional cardiotonic support for heart health and circulation

1000-2000mg daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Astragalus at 1000-3000mg per serving. The form that matters here is Astragalus Root Extract (Standardized Polysaccharides).

Find on Amazon

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

What else affects it

Beyond other supplements
!
Excessive alcohol

Alcohol may reduce immune benefits

Alcohol suppresses immune function that astragalus supports

How it works

  • Polysaccharides enhance immune cell proliferation and activity, particularly T-cells and macrophages
  • Saponins support immune system regulation and enhance antibody production
  • Adaptogenic compounds support cellular energy production and stress resistance
  • Cardiotonic effects improve heart function and circulation
  • Antioxidant properties protect immune cells and support healthy aging
  • Immunomodulating effects balance immune response rather than just stimulating

Key findings

what the evidence supports
  • Strong evidence for immune system enhancement and infection resistance
  • Good research on energy enhancement and fatigue reduction
  • Promising longevity and anti-aging research
  • Important contraindications for autoimmune conditions and immunosuppressive therapy

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Astragalus?

Documented effects: Immune system enhancement and support; Energy and vitality boost; Respiratory health and seasonal support; Cardiovascular health support. Strengthens immune system function and resistance to infections

How much Astragalus should you take per day?

The common daily range is 1000-3000mg. By goal — immune enhancement: 1000-3000mg daily; energy vitality: 1000-2000mg daily; respiratory support: 1500-3000mg daily; longevity support: 1000-2000mg daily.

When is the best time to take Astragalus?

With meals. First effects are typically reported within 2-6 weeks for energy boost and initial immune benefits.

What are the side effects of Astragalus?

At excessive doses: Generally safe with some considerations:, Immune overstimulation in autoimmune conditions, Mild digestive upset with high doses, Possible drug interactions with immunosuppressants, Excellent long-term safety profile. Safety rating at normal doses is 8 out of 10.

What should you not take with Astragalus?

Separate it from Immunosuppressive Substances, Excessive Alcohol by two to four hours. May counteract immunosuppressive effects

Does Astragalus interact with medications?

Documented interactions with immunosuppressive-medications, lithium, diabetes-medications. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Astragalus?

The marker is Complete blood count, immune markers (IgG, IgA), inflammatory markers, optimal range Enhanced immune cell counts, improved antibody levels. Common deficiency signs: Not applicable (herbal supplement, not essential nutrient):, General symptoms addressed by astragalus:, Frequent infections and poor immune function, Chronic fatigue and low energy levels.

Taken for