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7/3/2013

Astragalus: a Powerhouse for Pregnant Mamas

12 Comments

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My first exposure to a ‘vetch’ was as a gardener, and I immediately recall my intense annoyance with this very hardy (read un-killable) legume.  Turns out I should have had a little more respect for this tenacious invader, or at least for its amazing plant ‘cousin’, milk vetch.

Astragalus, also known as milk vetch and Huang-qi, is a legume native to China.  There are over 1000 species in the Astragalus genus, but according to Richo Cech, author of Making Plant Medicine, the species Astragalus membranaceus and A. mongholicus are to be preferred for herbal medicine purposes, due to their superior efficacy compared to other astragalus species, so look for one of those if you want to try growing it yourself. 

Astragalus membranaceus is believed to be safe for use during pregnancy, and indeed, is an herbal remedy with an amazing variety of indications that may be helpful during gestation.  There is another astragalus species known as "locoweed" which is dangerous and has been associated with fetal malformations and miscarriages in animal studies; therefore, it is important to make sure to identify the correct species.  Since astragalus is more potent than a nourishing herb, if you do decide to try astragalus, take the smallest effective dose.  Short-term use only is recommended until more is known about the safety of A. membranaceus in pregnancy.  Of course, it is always advisable that you consult with your health care provider before taking any herb during pregnancy.

Early pregnancy is notorious as a time when the expectant mother is astoundingly tired.  Astragalus to the rescue!  Astragalus helps to restore energy and improves an individual’s stamina.  As if being exhausted isn’t enough, pregnant women often note that they are more susceptible to viruses, due to their diminished immune system functioning.  Thankfully, astragalus is well known as an immune system booster.  In fact, the only known medications with which astragalus interacts negatively are those designed to suppress the immune system, which, of course, most pregnant women will not be taking.

As pregnancy progresses, a woman’s body produces increasing amounts of progesterone, an essential hormone that helps her body maintain the pregnancy.  However, progesterone has the effect of slowing digestion, which for some, can lead to flatulence.  Thankfully for everyone, relief of gas is one of astragalus’s actions.

All those extra hormones, in addition to the greatly increased blood volume—normal during pregnancy—causes the expectant mom’s liver to work much harder.  Astragalus supports liver functioning and is even believed to help restore liver damage.  This makes astragalus an important herb for women at greater risk for pre-eclampsia, including moms with a personal or family history of pre-eclampsia, or a history of kidney disease, PCOS, hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune disease, sickle cell disease, or organ transplant; first-time moms; first pregnancies with a different father; obese moms; moms over age 40 or teen moms; moms by IVF; and moms expecting multiples, since decreased liver functioning plays a role in pre-eclampsia.  This is especially true if you use astragalus with other liver-protective herbs such as dandelion and milk thistle (both believed safe for use during pregnancy).  Kidney function is also aided by astragalus, making it a friend to pregnant women with a tendency to bladder infection or kidney stones.

Although many pregnant women find that their allergy symptoms are partially relieved during pregnancy, it is also a time when one is generally more reluctant to use over-the-counter and prescription medications for allergies, making astragalus an attractive, safe option for relief from allergies.  Asthma sufferers can also look to astragalus for relief.

If you want to give astragalus a try, what is the best means to get it into your body?  According to Richo Cech, the preferred method of consumption is a basic tea or decoction made from the fresh or dried root—ideally from roots dug in the fall of the second or third year of growth, or you can just add astragalus root to soups and consume it directly.  If you don’t have access to the fresh or dried root, take astragalus in tincture form, using the dosage as recommended by the manufacturer, or as directed by your health care provider.  Here’s to milk vetch: a powerhouse for pregnant moms!

Sources:

Richo Cech, Making Plant Medicine, Horizon Herbs (Williams, OR) 2000

Jessie Hawkins, Herbalism for the Birth Professional Textbook, Thistle Publications (Franklin, TN) 2012

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12 Comments
Marie
1/3/2014 02:51:33 am

Thanks for this article, I am taking several herbs and supplements and checking them all to make sure they are safe during pregnancy. This is the first article I came across that did not have the generic, "Not recommended (or safe) for pregnant or nursing mothers". Whew, what a relief.

Reply
Christelle
1/3/2014 10:11:38 am

Marie,
I am so glad you appreciated my article. Don't forget to check with your health care provider about all herbs and supplements you take during your pregnancy. He or she is the most knowledgeable about you and your baby and what is safest for the two of you. Congratulations and blessings on you and baby!

Reply
cheryle k. link
11/21/2014 03:37:44 pm

Thank you so much for the info abt astragalus
my Chinese dr. prescribe to me to take astragalus for my morning dizzy with my six months or pregnant.
do you think it is safe to take it?
He also prescribe to me to mix the astragalus with angelica ) ddong quai) few pcs only
thank you
waiting for yiour reply

Reply
Roberta Bittle
3/4/2017 11:39:34 am

Thank you for your article. I am wondering if you know about the safety of taking astragalus while breastfeeding?

Reply
Tonia Mesidor
4/4/2020 07:20:36 am

Thank you for the information.

Reply
Christelle
4/4/2020 07:28:39 am

You are welcome, Tonia! I am glad the article was helpful for you!

Reply
Lorena Graham
8/2/2021 10:53:18 am

Jessie Hawkins, Herbalism for the Birth Professional Textbook, Thistle Publications (Franklin, TN) 2012 where can I find this book?

Reply
Christelle link
8/7/2021 03:27:10 pm

Hi, Lorena! Thanks for stopping by the SCBP blog!

The book you asked about was the textbook that came with a course about herbal remedies that I took for childbirth professionals from Vintage Remedies (which is no longer in business, as far as I know). You may want to search for used copies of the book for sale! The business has a Twitter account @vintageremedies although it is no longer active. Perhaps if you direct message this account you can get your hands on a new copy?

Reply
Carolyn
3/5/2022 10:31:23 pm

Thankyou for the great information.
I am mid way through a very difficult pregnancy.
8 weeks ago I caught Covid, unvaccinated.
I have suffered feelings if separation from my unborn ever since. Fetal movements have slowed to an almost halt. Just 3 weeks ago my breasts suddenly deflated.
Besides losing my sharp sense of smell my taste and sense of balance has been affected.
I suffered from decreased ability to breathe in .. back in January and sometimes still have an attack.

I feel I have been fighting with all I have to get my life back.. and save my pregnancy.. That's where I've been seeking all possible avenues which may help.

I came across Astragalus as a possible aid in repairing damaged cells.
I have some Astragalus powder coming in Mail... can't wait to try it.

Is there anything that I should be aware of which might. adversely affect my pregnancy in taking this herb?.

Please let me know. Look forward to you response.

Reply
Christelle link
3/7/2022 08:53:24 am

Carolyn,
Thanks for your comment. The symptoms you describe sound quite serious. If you haven't already, please check with a qualified medical care provider such as an obstetrician or midwife. Please feel free to let me know how you're doing once you and baby get checked out!

Reply
Carolyn
3/8/2022 03:46:39 am

Thankyou Christelle.

I have booked in to see a qualified TCM practitioner.
There are no regular midwives where I live and my experience with doctors has been poor.
However. I am taking things slowly. And will let you know the outcome of my appointment as soon as possible.

Thankyou again for your caring words.
Carolyn.

Christelle link
3/8/2022 09:17:50 am

Hi, Carolyn.

Thanks for your reply. I don't want to alarm you, but what you described really could be quite an emergency. If you haven't already, I suggest for your peace of mind that you go to an emergency room or at least call a nurse line and speak with a triage nurse. When fetal movements slow, and do not return to normal levels, this could signal a very concerning situation. Prayers for you and baby.

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    Christelle J. K. Hagen, BfNAE, ICI, SBD is a certified birth doula, certified Baby Signs instructor, Certified Birth & Bereavement Doula, fertility educator, and the President and Founder of St. Croix Birth & Parenting. Christelle helps mothers develop strategies to get pregnant naturally, give birth with confidence, and succeed when they breastfeed!
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    "Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit." ~Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NRSV-CE)

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