Does Astragalus Cause  Side Effects? 

Even though it  is a natural product, astragalus may cause  side effects. People often assume that natural products  are always safe and free of risk. However, this is simply  not the case. It is reasonable to assume that any natural product with the capability to have medicinal properties may also have side effects. 

At this time, there are no  known astragalus side effects. However, this does not guarantee that the supplement does not cause side effects; it simply means that no problems have been reported, either  in clinical studies or in case reports.
 
Case reports are individual reports from healthcare providers (usually published in medical journals) about side effects seen in their patients. The lack of reported side effects  with astragalus likely reflects a lack of studies large enough to find problems or studies designed to look specifically for problems; it probably does not indicate that the product really is free of side effects. 
 
Serious Side Effects 

In general, astragalus does not appear to be likely to cause serious side effects. However, as  with most medications or herbs, allergic reactions are possible. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you develop signs of an allergic reaction to astragalus,  such as: 

• An unexplained rash 
• Hives  
• Itching  
• Swelling of  the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat 
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing. 

Final Thoughts on Side Effects of Astragalus 

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider if you develop any side effects  that you think  may be related to astragalus. Your healthcare provider will likely be interested in this  and may even want to report such  side effects to a medical journal, especially if the adverse effects are particularly serious or interesting. 
 
You should also let  your healthcare provider know if  you develop something that "just does not seem right" during treatment. While it may not be related  to astragalus, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose  and treat the problem.