What is it used for?
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to tonify the spleen and lungs in cases of qi deficiency with a lack of appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea [Source note 2].
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to augment the protective qi and stabilize the exterior in cases of deficiency with spontaneous sweating [Source note 3].
Used in Herbal Medicine to help maintain a healthy immune system [Source note 4].
Used in Herbal Medicine as an adaptogen to help increase energy and resistance to stress over time (e.g. in case of mental and physical fatigue related to stress) [Source note 5].
The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g., Used in Herbal Medicine to help maintain a healthy immune system and as an adaptogen to help increase energy and resistance to stress over time).
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., Astragalus is traditionally used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to augment the protective qi and stabilize the exterior in cases of deficiency with spontaneous sweating).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
What this guide covers
Text in parentheses is additional optional information which can be included on 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 on the label.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms such as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Decoction, Decoction concentrate
Note: Dried or powdered root should be prepared as a decoction (see direction for use).
9 - 30 grams dried root, per day [Source note 6].
Maintenance of healthy immune system
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
2 - 4.8 grams dried root, per day [Source note 7].
*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation “Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract” as part of this reference are ethanol and/or water only.
Adaptogen
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
2 - 4.8 grams dried root, per day [Source note 8]
How is it used?
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Loose/Powder dosage forms
Place the dried (powdered) roots in a pot and add enough water to submerge them. Boil for 20-25 minutes, strain and drink [Source note 9].
How long is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Warnings and precautions
All products
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have an autoimmune disorder [Source note 10].
When should it be avoided?
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Do not use if you have exterior excess, stagnation, yin deficiency or excess heat [Source note 11].
Possible side effects
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astragalus membranaceus |
| Astragalus membranaceus | Root | Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Common names: PPRC 2020; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; HKCMM 2008; Bensky et al. 2004; Source information: PPRC 2020; Bensky et al. 2004; Hoffman 2003.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- May 30, 2025
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.