Rankings / Immune & Inflammation
Astragalus
Immune & Inflammation · Adaptogen / TA-65 source
Tier C+
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Astragalus as C+ (5.5/10) based on weak evidence, low-med benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
Traditional Chinese 'huang qi' — widely used in TCM.
Typical use: 500-2000 mg/day root extract; TA-65 proprietary dosing — OTC.
What this is
Traditional Chinese 'huang qi' — widely used in TCM. Cycloastragenol/TA-65 is sold as an expensive anti-aging supplement based on in vitro telomerase activation and a small Fossel-era human observational study. Salvador 2015 mouse data supports telomerase effect but human longevity benefit speculative.
Mechanism
Astragalus membranaceus root; polysaccharides and astragalosides; immunomodulatory in TCM tradition; cycloastragenol (from astragaloside IV) is the telomerase activator marketed as TA-65
Dose & route
500-2000 mg/day root extract; TA-65 proprietary dosing
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27583538/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21320476/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5031921/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23641817/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- Does Astragalus work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Astragalus as Weak and the benefit magnitude as low-med, producing an overall grade of C+ (5.5/10). Traditional Chinese 'huang qi' — widely used in TCM.
- Is Astragalus safe?
- Astragalus has a low risk profile in published human data. Legal status: OTC. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Astragalus?
- 500-2000 mg/day root extract; TA-65 proprietary dosing
- How does Astragalus work?
- Astragalus membranaceus root; polysaccharides and astragalosides; immunomodulatory in TCM tradition; cycloastragenol (from astragaloside IV) is the telomerase activator marketed as TA-65
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.