Does Astragalus Increase Estrogen?

Astragalus can make them less effective. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re taking medications to lower your blood pressure. Astragalus by itself can lower blood pressure. Taking these together can bring down your blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re on diuretics (water pills).

Pregnant and breastfeeding women: There’s currently not enough research to demonstrate that astragalus is safe while pregnant or breastfeeding. Individuals with autoimmune diseases: Astragalus may increase the activity of your immune system.

Low estrogen levels are associated with infertility, irregular ovulation and missed periods. The conventional medical approach includes hormone replacement therapy and dietary modifications. In addition, there are herbs that are recognized for their ability to raise estrogen levels naturally.

Though there are over 2,000 species of astragalus, only two are primarily used in supplements — Astragalus membranaceus and Astragalus mongholicus ( 2 ). Specifically, the root of the plant is made into many different forms of supplements, including liquid extracts, capsules, powders and teas.

What is astragalus extract?

Extracts of astragalus are sold as dietary supplements to improve immune function and to decrease fatigue. Beneficial effects of astragalus are attributed to its polysaccharides and triterpenoid saponin compounds. In vitro and animal studies indicate that astragalus and its constituents have antioxidant (27), anti-inflammatory (28), …

The root of the astragalus plant is used in traditional Chinese medicine to increase stamina and strength. You can also take astragalus as supplement to strengthen your immune system and decrease fatigue (feeling more weak than usual).

Astragalus membranaceus. Clinical Summary. Astragalus belongs to a group of medicinal plants from the Leguminosae family. The root of A. membranaceus has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and is often used along with other herbs as a tonic to increase stamina, strength, and vitality.

Mechanism of Action. Polysaccharides, triterpenoid saponins, and flavonoids are the main constituents of astragalus with immunomodulating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects (27) (51).

Herb-Drug Interactions. Immunosuppressants: Theoretically, astragalus may antagonize the effects of immunosuppressants such as tacrolimus and cyclosporine. Clinical significance is not known. Hormonal therapies: Astragalus and its constituents have estrogenic (23) (50) properties and may interfere with their actions.

In small studies involving healthy individuals, astragalus exhibited sodium-excreting properties (8) and produced a viral-type immune response (38). A formula containing astragalus as a major ingredient reduced fatigue in athletes (10); and as an adjuvant therapy, helped manage fatigue in stroke patients (64).

Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re on blood thinners such as warfarin (Jantoven® or Coumadin®). Astragalus can increase your risk of bleeding. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re taking immunosuppressants (medications that weaken your immune system). Astragalus can make them less effective.

What is the benefit of astragalus root?

An important benefit of astragalus root is that it’s an adaptogen. An adaptogen is defined as a substance that works with a person’s body to regulate the effects of stress and fatigue — whether chemical, physical, or biological. In other words, astragalus root can help safeguard the body from emotional, physical, and mental stress.

Another way to take astragalus is by using astragalus tea which is made by steeping the shavings of the root in hot water. The natural soothing properties of astragalus root make it a beneficial ingredient for skincare products, thus it has become a customary ingredient in many anti-aging creams, lotions, and ointments.

Xenoestrogens are a subclass of endocrine disruptors that are able to bind to estrogen receptor sites and elicit an estrogenic effect. In a nutshell, phytoestrogens tend to balance estrogen, with estrogenic or anti-estrogenic effects to match whatever the body needs.

Because they are low in potency, when they bind to receptor sites, the net effect for most people is lower estrogen levels. However, for those with very low estrogen, phytoestrogens can modestly support and keep levels from falling by binding to estrogen receptor sites.

Estrogen and progesterone are two of the primary sex hormones involved in the many everyday biological functions that occur in our bodies. Estrogen dominance , which can happen in both women and men , occurs when the ratio of estrogen to progesterone is not balanced.

Because of the many health benefits of astragalus root, it is often used to boost therapies for various health concerns. It is recognized for slowing down the aging process, enhancing the immune system, and reducing inflammation. Studies and research have shown that astragalus root may also have the capability to promote the healthy function …

Most are very gentle. For example, some research and studies suggest phytoestrogens are only 1/400 th to 1/1000 th of the potency of one’s naturally circulating estrogen.