Herbs & Supplements

Astragalus gummifera Scientific Name: Tragacanth Other Names: Goat's Thorn, Green Dragon, Hog Gum What side effects should I watch for? A few case reports from the 1940s suggest that allergic reactions to tragacanth may occur. At that time, several individuals who took tragacanth by mouth or who inhaled tragacanth dust while harvesting or preparing it for commercial use suffered breathing difficulty, swelling, and other allergic symptoms. No recent cases of allergic reactions to tragacanth have been reported; but the oral use of tragacanth has fallen off considerably as newer, more effective medications have been developed. Therefore, potentially allergic individuals may not have been exposed to tragacanth. << Back What interactions should I watch for? >>

Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.