A natural product commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine herbal mixtures may help to improve quality of life, manage side effects, and treat certain cancers.
How do experts use astragalus?
Both medical groups and integrative experts provide recommendations for astragalus in treating people with cancer. Learn more about the approaches and meanings of recommendations: Integrative Oncology Programs and Expert Guidelines ›
Clinical practice guidelines
Shanghai Association of Chinese Integrative Medicine
2018 clinical practice guidelines from a multidisciplinary working group provide these recommendations for use of Aidi injection, a therapy containing an astragalus extract for people with middle- and advanced-stage primary liver cancer:
- For patients with middle- and advanced-stage primary liver cancer undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), a weak recommendation is made for joint application of TCM-assistant therapy, including Aidi injection, to improve efficacy and reduce adverse reactions caused by TACE.
- For patients with middle- and advanced-stage primary liver cancer who are unable to undergo surgery or TACE, a general symptomatic and supportive treatment of antitumor Chinese medicine injection via intravenous drip may improve the quality-of-life and clinical benefit rate. A weak recommendation is made for Aidi injection.
Several Chinese herbal mixtures containing astragalus are recommended for pain, constipation, and insomnia in 2019 clinical practice guidelines for cancer palliative care.
Published protocols, programs, and approaches
Astragalus is used in programs, approaches, and protocolsa package of therapies combining and preferably integrating various therapies and practices into a cohesive design for care from these integrative oncologists, drawing from both scientific research and observations from years or even decades of treating people with cancer.
Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, and Karolyn Gazella
Alschuler LN, Gazella KA. The Definitive Guide to Cancer, 3rd Edition: An Integrative Approach to Prevention, Treatment, and Healing. Berkeley, California: Celestial Arts. 2010.
Alschuler LN, Gazella KA. The Definitive Guide to Thriving after Cancer: A Five-Step Integrative Plan to Reduce the Risk of Recurrence and Build Lifelong Health. Berkeley, California: Ten Speed Press. 2013.
Approaches are described for certain cancer types, or along with certain conventional therapy treatments, or for particular conditions such as insulin resistance.
Uses of astragalus:
- Bladder cancer
- Leukemia
- Lung cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Immune modulation during chemotherapy and radiation therapy
Keith Block, MD
Block KI. Life over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Care. New York: Bantam Dell. 2009.
The integrative Block Program has recommendations to people who are at different places along the cancer continuum:
- Those who’ve been recently diagnosed
- Those in treatment
- Those who’ve concluded treatment and need to remain vigilant to prevent recurrence
Uses of astragalus:
- Kidney cancer
- Melanoma
Neil McKinney, BSc, ND
McKinney N. Naturopathic Oncology, Fourth Edition. Victoria, BC, Canada: Liaison Press. 2020.
This book includes descriptions and uses of many natural and complementary protocols for cancer in general and for specific cancers. It also includes information on integrative support during conventional cancer treatment.
Uses of astragalus:
- Gallbladder cancer
- Leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome
- Lung cancer
- Lymphoma
- Melanoma
- Mesothelioma
Gurdev Parmar, ND, FABNO, and Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO
Parmar G, Kaczor T. Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology: A Desktop Guide of Integrative Cancer Care. 1st edition. Medicatrix Holdings Ltd. 2020.
This book provides information on the treatment of 24 cancers, plus the most effective treatments of the most common symptoms affecting cancer patients while they undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery.
Uses of astragalus:
- Esophageal cancer
- Leukemia (acute lymphocytic)
- Lung cancer (non-small cell)
Traditional medicine
Astragalus is one of the most commonly used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, often administered in mixtures with other herbs. Recommendations from Chinese medicine groups are included above on this page.
Learn more about tradition medicine and how to find practitioners: Finding Integrative Oncologists and Other Practitioners ›
Other expert assessments
Current Oncology Reports
An expert review of evidence suggests that astragalus “might have a potential role in alleviating cancer-related fatigue” among people with a deficiency.1David A, Hausner D, Frenkel M. Cancer-related fatigue-is there a role for complementary and integrative medicine? Current Oncology Reports. 2021 Nov 7;23(12):145.
Moss Reports
The Moss Reports conclude: “If your doctors want to suppress your immune system for medical reasons, you probably should not take astragalus. On the other hand, if you are trying to stimulate your immune system, as most cancer patients are, this is an effective and inexpensive way of doing so.”
Dosing
General information about dosing
Find general dosing guidelines regarding natural products and supplements in Dosing Guidelines ›
References