NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCT
ASTRAGALUS – ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS
This monograph is intended to serve as a guide to industry for the preparation of Product Licence
Applications (PLAs) and labels for natural health product market authorization. It is not intended
to be a comprehensive review of the medicinal ingredient.
Notes
Text in parentheses is additional optional information which can be included on the PLA and
product label at the applicant’s discretion.
The solidus (/) indicates that the terms and/or statements are synonymous. Either term or
statement may be selected by the applicant.
Date February 25, 2019
Proper name(s), Common name(s), Source information
Table 1. Proper name(s), Common name(s), Source information
Source information
Proper name(s) Common name(s)
Source material(s) Part(s) Preparation(s)
Astragalus Astragalus Astragalus Root Dried
membranaceus Huangqi membranaceus
Huang qi
Membranaceus
milk vetch
Membranous
milk-vetch
Milk vetch root
Mo jia huang qi
References: Proper name: USDA 2018; Common names: HKCMM 2008, McGuffin et al. 2000, PPRC
2000, Bensky and Gamble 1986; Source information: Hoffman 2003, PPRC 2000, Bensky and Gamble
1986.
Route of administration
Oral
Dosage form(s)
This monograph excludes foods or food-like dosage forms such as indicated in the Compendium
of Monographs Guidance Document.
Acceptable dosage forms for the age category listed in this monograph and specified route of
administration are indicated in the Compendium of Monographs Guidance Document.
Use(s) or Purpose(s)
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to tonify the spleen and augment the qi (vital
energy): for spleen deficiency presenting with the lack of appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea
(PPRC 2000; Benksy and Gamble 1986).
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to tonify the lungs and is used for frequent
colds (PPRC 1998; Benksy and Gamble 1986).
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to augment the protective qi and stabilize the
exterior: for deficiency with spontaneous sweating (PPRC 2000; Benksy and Gamble 1986).
Used in Herbal Medicine to help maintain a healthy immune system (Winston and Kuhn
2008; Mills and Bone 2005; Hoffman 2003; Upton 1999).
Used in Herbal Medicine as an adaptogen to help increase energy and resistance to stress (e.g.
in case of mental and physical fatigue related to stress) (Winston and Maimes 2007; Bone
2003).
Note
Claims for traditional use must include the term “Herbal Medicine”, “Traditional Chinese
Medicine”, or “Ayurveda”.
Dose(s)
Subpopulation(s)
Adults 18 years and older
Quantity(ies)
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Methods of preparation: Dry, Decoction
9 - 30 grams dried root, per day (PPRC 2000; Benksy and Gamble 1986).
Maintenance of Healthy Immune System
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powder, Non-Standardised Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid
extract, Decoction, Infusion)
2 - 4.8 grams dried root, per day (Mills and Bone 2005; Hoffman 2003).
Astragalus – Astragalus membranaceus Page 2 of 5
Adaptogen
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powder, Non-Standardised Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract,
Tincture, Fluid extract)
2 - 4.8 grams dried root, per day (Bone 2003; Hoffman 2003)
Direction(s) for use
Traditional Chinese Medicine: For Dry Root
Add water to 3-5 cm higher than the surface of the dried root, let sit for 60 minutes. Boil for
20-25 minutes, remove and drink.
To make an additional preparation from the same dried root, add fresh water to 1-2 cm higher
than surface of the dried root, boil for 15-20 minutes, remove and drink (Cao 1996).
Duration(s) of use
No statement required.
Risk information
Caution(s) and warning(s)
All products
Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician
prior to use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have an autoimmune disorder (Brinker 2010,
Upton 1999).
Contraindication(s)
Traditional Chinese Medicine
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, do not use this product in cases of exterior excess, qi
stagnation, damp obstruction, food stagnation, yin deficiency with heat signs, or skin lesions in
their early stages or where there is a heat toxin (Bensky and Gamble 1986).
Known adverse reaction(s)
No statement required.
Non-medicinal ingredients
Must be chosen from the current Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID) and
Astragalus – Astragalus membranaceus Page 3 of 5
must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Storage conditions
No statement required.
Specifications
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements
described in the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) Quality
of Natural Health Products Guide.
The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the NHPID.
References cited
Bensky D, Gamble A. 1986. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica. Seattle (WA): Eastland
Press, Inc.
Brinker F. 2010. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 4th Edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic
Medical Publications.
Bone K. A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs: Herbal formulations for the individual patient.
St. Louis (MI): Churchill Livingstone; 2003.
Cao C. 1996. Chinese Drug Pharmaceutics: Chinese Collegiate Textbooks for Medical
Institutions of Higher Learning. Beijing (China): Shanghai Science and Technology Publisher (in
Chinese).
HKCMM 2008: Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards, Volume 1. Wanchai (HK):
Chinese Medicine Division, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the
People’s Republic of China.
Hoffmann D. 2003. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester
(VT): Healing Arts Press.
Mills S, Bone K. 2005. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. St. Louis (MO): Elsevier Churchill
Livingstone.
McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. 2000. Herbs of Commerce, 2nd
edition. Silver Spring (MD): American Herbal Products Association.
Peirce A. Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. 1999. New York (NY): The Stonesong Press,
Inc.
PPRC 2000: Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China, Volume 1, English edition 2000.
Beijing (CN): The State Pharmacopoeia Commission of the People’s Republic of China.
Astragalus – Astragalus membranaceus Page 4 of 5
PPRC 1998: The People’s Republic of China. Comprehensive Chinese Materia Medica, 1e
version. Editorial board of Comprehensive Chinese Materia Medica of State Administration of
Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China. Shanghai (China): Shanghai
Science and Technology Publishing House; 1998 (in Chinese).
Upton R, editor. 1999. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium:
Astragalus Root. Santa Cruz (CA): American Herbal Pharmacopoeia.
USDA 2018: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National
Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Astragalus.
National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Accessed 2018 November 27].
Available at: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl
Winston D, Kuhn MA. 2008. Winston and Kuhn’s Herbal Therapy and Supplements: A
Scientific and Traditional Approach, 2nd edition. Philadelphia (PA): Lippincott Williams and
Wilkins.
Winston D, Maimes S. Adaptogens: Herbs for strength, stamina and stress relief. Rochester
(VT): Healing Arts Press; 2007.
References reviewed
Peirce A. Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York (NY): The Stonesong Press, Inc;
1999.
Astragalus – Astragalus membranaceus Page 5 of 5
