Tragacanth
Scientific names: Astragalus gummifer
Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae
Alternate names: Adragante, Goat's Thorn, Green Dragon, Gum Dragon, Gum Tragacanth, Gummi Tragacanthae, Hog Gum, Syrian Tragacanth, Tragacanth Gum, Tragacanto
Background
Tragacanth (Astragalus gummifer) is a shrub that grows in areas of the Middle East. The sap-like material (resin) of the bark is used to make medicine.
Tragacanth contains chemicals that stimulate the bowel.
People use tragacanth for diarrhea, constipation, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse tragacanth with astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus). These are not the same plant.
Tragacanth contains chemicals that stimulate the bowel.
People use tragacanth for diarrhea, constipation, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse tragacanth with astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus). These are not the same plant.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Tragacanth is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used as medicine. But be sure to take it with plenty of water. It can block the throat and intestines if you don't drink enough fluid.
When applied to the skin: Tragacanth is likely safe when used as an ingredient in cosmetics.
Quillaia allergy: Tragacanth can cause breathing problems in people who are sensitive to quillaia bark.
When applied to the skin: Tragacanth is likely safe when used as an ingredient in cosmetics.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if tragacanth is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.Quillaia allergy: Tragacanth can cause breathing problems in people who are sensitive to quillaia bark.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using tragacanth for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of tragacanth might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Tragacanth is a thick gel. Taking tragacanth at the same time as medications that you take by mouth can affect how much medication your body absorbs, and change the effects of your medication. To prevent this interaction, take tragacanth 30-60 minutes after taking medications by mouth.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
Because tragacanth is a thick gel, it might reduce the body's ability to absorb nutrients from food.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 16/11/2023 11:00:00. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
