Astragalus is an extract of the plant Astragalus membranaceus and is used in Chinese herbal medicine to boost the immune system. It has been shown to reverse immunosuppression in rats and to boost the proliferation of human lymphocytes in the test tube.

Astragalus, a major component of many Chinese herbal preparations, has been shown to stimulate lymphocyte proliferation. However, astragalus can trigger low blood pressure and low blood sugar and can increase the amount of urine produced, resulting in feeling of dizziness and fatigue.

In addition, the effects of astragalus on the replication of HIV are still unknown. It is possible that astragalus, like many immune boosters, might stimulate the production of HIV by infected cells.

References

Da-Tong Chu et al. Immunotherapy with Chinese medicinal herbs: I. Immune restoration of local xenogeneic graft-versus-host reaction in cancer patients by fractionated astragalus membranaceus in vitro. J Clin Lab Immunol 25:119-123, 1988.

Da-Tong Chu et al. Immunotherapy with Chinese medicinal herbs. II. Reversal of cyclophosphamide-induced immune suppression by administration of fractionated astragalus membranaceus in vivo. J Clin Lab Immunol 25:125-129, 1988.

Yan Sun et al. Preliminary observations on the effects of the Chinese medicinal herbs astragalus membranaceus and ligustrum lucidum on lymphocyte blastogenic responses. J Biological Response Modifiers 2:227-237, 1983.