✵This article documents Astragalus Root, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources—two plant species: (1) Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge.; (2) Astragalus membranaceus Bunge var. mongholicus (Bunge.) P. K. Hsiao. It provides a detailed description of the botanical characteristics, growth habits, and ecological requirements of both species; the characteristics of the dried root (Radix Astragali); its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Radix Astragali (Astragalus Root)
Pinyin Name: Huánɡ Qí
English Name: Astragalus Root; Milkvetch Root
Latin Name:Radix Astragali Properties and Flavor: Warm or slightly warm; sweet.
Brief Introduction:Radix Astragali is the dried root of either Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge. or Astragalus membranaceus Bunge var. mongholicus (Bunge.) P. K. Hsiao. It is used: (1) to tonify Qi for treating general debility, anorexia, chronic diarrhea, uterine or rectal prolapse, spontaneous sweating, and chronic nephritis with edema and proteinuria; and (2) to promote abscess resolution and accelerate healing of chronic ulcers. The herb is commonly known as Astragalus Root, Milkvetch Root, or Huánɡ Qí.
Botanical Source: Classical herbal books define Astragalus Root (Huang Qi) as the dried root of: (1) Astragalus membranaceus Bunge var. mongholicus (Bunge.) P. K. Hsiao., or (2) Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge. The former is recognized as a botanical variety of the latter. Both belong to the genus Astragalus L., family Fabaceae (syn. Leguminosae, Papilionaceae), order Fabales (was classified into order Rosales in the past). These two commonly used species are described below:
(1) Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge.
Botanical Description:Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge is a plant of the Fabaceae family (Leguminosae, Papilionaceae, legume, or pea family) and the Astragalus L. genus; it is also known as Mo Jia Huang Qi. This perennial herb grows up to 50–100 cm tall. The taproot (main root) is hypertrophic, ligneous (woody), often branched, and ash gray (off-white). Stems are erect, many-branched in the upper part, have thin ridges, and are covered with white pubescence. Pinnately compound leaves have 13–27 leaflets, 5–10 cm long; petioles are 0.5–1 cm long; stipules (peraphylla) are free (separate), oval (egg-shaped), lanceolate, or linear-lanceolate, 4–10 mm long; the abaxial surface is covered with white pubescence or is glabrescent; leaflets are elliptic or oblong-ovate, 0.7–3.0 cm long and 3–12 mm wide; the apex is obtuse or emarginate (slightly concave), with a small mucro or inconspicuous apiculus; the base is rounded; the upper surface is green and glabrescent; the lower surface is covered with appressed white pilose.
Racemes are somewhat dense and bear 10–20 flowers; peduncles are nearly equal in length to the leaves or longer than the leaves, and become significantly elongated during the fruiting period; floral bracts are linear-lanceolate, 2–5 mm long; the lower surface is covered with white pilose; pedicels are 3–4 mm long; both pedicels and the inflorescence are sparsely covered with dense brown or black pilose; two bracteoles (bractlets) are present; the calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), 5–7 mm long, and externally covered with white or black pilose; sometimes the hypanthium (calyx tube) is glabrescent, only the calyx teeth are piliferous; the calyx teeth are short, triangular to subulate, and about 1/4–1/5 the length of the hypanthium; the corolla is yellow or pale yellow; the vexillum (standard) is obovate, 12–20 mm long, with an emarginate (slightly concave) apex and a short petal stalk at the base; the alae (wings) are slightly shorter than the vexillum; the lamina of the alae is oblong, with short auricles at the base; the claw of the alae is about 1.5 times the length of its lamina; the keel (carina) and the alae lamina are nearly equal in length; the keel lamina is semiovate, and its claw is slightly longer than the lamina; the ovary is stipitate and covered with fine pilose.
Legumes (pods) are thinly membranous, slightly swollen, and semi-elliptical, 20–30 mm long and 8–12 mm wide; the apex bears a mucronate tip; both surfaces are covered with sparse white or black pubescence; the fruiting stalk (gynophore) extends beyond the calyx; each pod contains 3–8 seeds. Flowering occurs from June to August, and fruiting from July to September.
Ecological Environment:Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge grows in valleys, forest-steppe grasslands, along forest margins, in shrublands, and thickets; it is also found in hillside meadows, open meadows, and sandy soils. This species is mainly distributed in China and is also cultivated in other regions.
Growth Characteristics: The plant prefers dry, sunny conditions. It is advisable to select fields with deep soil layers, rich humus, neutral to slightly alkaline sandy loam, and strong water permeability. Soil should not become excessively arid during full bloom to prevent flower abscission and fruit drop.
Characteristics of the Herb: The root is cylindrical, rarely branched (though some roots may branch); the upper end is thick and slightly twisted, tapering toward the base; roots are 20–60 cm long (sometimes up to 30–90 cm) and 0.7–3.5 cm (or 1–3.5 cm) in diameter. The surface is pale yellowish-brown to seal brown, with distinct irregular longitudinal wrinkles or grooves and elongated lenticels. The cork bark peels off easily, revealing yellowish-white phloem; reticulate fiber bundles may be visible. The texture is hard and tough, not easily broken; the fracture surface is strongly fibrous and slightly mealy. The cortex occupies about one-third of the diameter, is cream-white to yellowish-white; the xylem is faint yellow (pale yellow), with dense radial arrangement; the rays in the phloem are slightly curved and fissured. In older roots, the xylem at the fracture surface may be decayed—dark brown or blackish brown—or the center may be hollow. The herb has a distinctive odor and tastes slightly sweet with a mild beany flavor upon chewing.
(2) Astragalus membranaceus Bunge var. mongholicus (Bunge.) P. K. Hsiao.
Botanical description:Astragalus membranaceus Bunge var. mongholicus (Bunge.) P.K. Hsiao is a plant of the Fabaceae family (Leguminosae, Papilionaceae, legume, or pea family) and the Astragalus L. genus; it is also known as Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge. var. mongholicus (Bunge.) P. K. Hsiao. This taxon is conventionally treated as a variety of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge and differs from the typical variety in several morphological features. A perennial herb, it grows up to 50–150 cm tall. The taproot (main root) is straight and elongated, cylindrical, slightly ligneous, 20–50 cm long; the root head is 1.5–3 cm in diameter; the surface is light brownish-yellow to dark brown. Stems are erect, many-branched in the upper part, with fine longitudinal ribs, and covered with white pilose. Imparipinnate leaves are alternate; petioles bear lanceolate stipules (peraphylla) at the base, ca. 6 cm long; leaflets number 13–27 or 25–37; leaflet blades are broadly elliptic, elliptic, or oblong-ovate, 4–9 mm or 7–30 mm long and 3–12 mm wide; the apex is obtuse or emarginate (slightly concave), with a short mucro (pointed or inconspicuous); the base is cuneate or rounded; margins are entire; both surfaces are covered with white pilose.
Racemes are axillary, somewhat dense, and bear 10–20 flowers (occasionally up to 25), arranged loosely; peduncles are nearly equal in length to the leaves or longer; pedicels are short and have black hirsute; bracts are linear-lanceolate, 2–5 mm long; the lower surface is covered with white pilose; the calyx is terete (tubular), 5–7 mm long, with five calyx teeth, calyx teeth have long pilose; the corolla is yellow or yellowish, papilionaceous, 12–20 mm long, with a short stalk at the base; the vexillum is triangular-obovate, lacking a distinct claw, and emarginate at the apex; the alae (wings) and keel (carina) both possess elongated claws; there are 10 stamens, diadelphous (9+1); the ovary is stipitate and glabrous; the style is glabrous.
Legumes (pods) are membranous, swollen, and ovate-oblong, 20–30 mm long and 8–12 mm wide; the apex is rostrate (beaked); the surface exhibits conspicuous reticulate venation. Each pod contains 5–6 reniform, black seeds. Flowering occurs from June to July; fruiting from August to September.
Ecological Environment: This plant grows on sunny, open hillside slopes, ditch banks, or in sparse forests and grasslands. It is predominantly distributed in China.
Differences between (1) Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge and (2) Astragalus membranaceus Bunge var. mongholicus (Bunge.) P. K. Hsiao.: Although the two taxa share similar vegetative morphology and basic anatomical structure, they differ significantly in seed and seedling morphology, pollen ultrastructure, and chromosome karyotype.
(1) Plant morphology: Seedlings of (1) Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge are taller and more robust than those of (2) Astragalus membranaceus Bunge var. mongholicus (Bunge) P. K. Hsiao; their surfaces are densely villous; under electron microscopy, epidermal hairs exhibit dense papillae.
(2) Pod and seed morphology: The pod surface of (1) Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge bears black pubescence, and the seed coat displays a reticulate pattern. In contrast, the pod of (2) Astragalus membranaceus Bunge var. mongholicus (Bunge) P. K. Hsiao is glabrous, and the seed coat ornamentation is rugose (wrinkled). Morphological differences between the seeds of the two taxa are subtle under naked-eye or light-microscopic observation; however, scanning electron microscopy reveals marked distinctions in micropyle structure, funicular microarchitecture, and testa ultrastructure. Seeds of (2) Astragalus membranaceus Bunge var. mongholicus (Bunge) P. K. Hsiao exhibit a higher hard-seed percentage, irregular germination behavior, and delayed germination peak.
Medicinal Efficacy: Tonifying Qi and elevating Yang; strengthening the exterior and reducing spontaneous sweating; inducing diuresis to alleviate edema; promoting the secretion of saliva and body fluids; nourishing blood; freeing stagnation and obstruction; draining pus and expelling toxins; healing sores and promoting granulation (i.e., tissue regeneration). It is indicated for Qi deficiency (manifesting as general weakness or lack of strength); overexertion syndrome due to endogenous injury; splenasthenic diarrhea (diarrhea caused by spleen deficiency); poor appetite and loose stools; sinking of the middle-Qi; chronic diarrhea and rectal prolapse; uterine prolapse; hematemesis; hematochezia; metrorrhagia and metrostaxis; exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating; Qi-deficiency edema; night sweats (perspiration during sleep); cough due to lung deficiency; internal heat with wasting thirst; blood deficiency with sallow complexion; hemiplegia; numbness and pain; carbuncles and abscesses that are slow to rupture or ulcers resistant to healing; blood-stasis arthralgia; and all syndromes of Qi and blood deficiency, etc.
Administration of Radix Astragali (Huánɡ Qí):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Radix Astragali (Huánɡ Qí)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally:9–30 grams; (2) Internally: Water decoction, 10–15 grams; higher doses may reach 30–60 grams; alternatively, prepared as pills, powders, or ointments.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Radix Astragali should not be combined with Carapax et Plastrum Testudinis (turtle shell), Dictamni Cortex, Radix Saposhnikoviae, Faeces Trogopteri, or Black False Hellebore.
✵This article documents Astragalus Root, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources—two plant species: (1) Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge.; (2) Astragalus membranaceus Bunge var. mongholicus (Bunge.) P. K. Hsiao. It provides a detailed description of the botanical characteristics, growth habits, and ecological requirements of both species; the characteristics of the dried root (Radix Astragali); its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Huánɡ Qí
Botanical Description: Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge is a plant of the Fabaceae family (Leguminosae, Papilionaceae, legume, or pea family) and the Astragalus L. genus; it is also known as Mo Jia Huang Qi. This perennial herb grows up to 50–100 cm tall. The taproot (main root) is hypertrophic, ligneous (woody), often branched, and ash gray (off-white). Stems are erect, many-branched in the upper part, have thin ridges, and are covered with white pubescence. Pinnately compound leaves have 13–27 leaflets, 5–10 cm long; petioles are 0.5–1 cm long; stipules (peraphylla) are free (separate), oval (egg-shaped), lanceolate, or linear-lanceolate, 4–10 mm long; the abaxial surface is covered with white pubescence or is glabrescent; leaflets are elliptic or oblong-ovate, 0.7–3.0 cm long and 3–12 mm wide; the apex is obtuse or emarginate (slightly concave), with a small mucro or inconspicuous apiculus; the base is rounded; the upper surface is green and glabrescent; the lower surface is covered with appressed white pilose.
Characteristics of the Herb: The root is cylindrical, rarely branched (though some roots may branch); the upper end is thick and slightly twisted, tapering toward the base; roots are 20–60 cm long (sometimes up to 30–90 cm) and 0.7–3.5 cm (or 1–3.5 cm) in diameter. The surface is pale yellowish-brown to seal brown, with distinct irregular longitudinal wrinkles or grooves and elongated lenticels. The cork bark peels off easily, revealing yellowish-white phloem; reticulate fiber bundles may be visible. The texture is hard and tough, not easily broken; the fracture surface is strongly fibrous and slightly mealy. The cortex occupies about one-third of the diameter, is cream-white to yellowish-white; the xylem is faint yellow (pale yellow), with dense radial arrangement; the rays in the phloem are slightly curved and fissured. In older roots, the xylem at the fracture surface may be decayed—dark brown or blackish brown—or the center may be hollow. The herb has a distinctive odor and tastes slightly sweet with a mild beany flavor upon chewing.
Botanical description: Astragalus membranaceus Bunge var. mongholicus (Bunge.) P.K. Hsiao is a plant of the Fabaceae family (Leguminosae, Papilionaceae, legume, or pea family) and the Astragalus L. genus; it is also known as Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge. var. mongholicus (Bunge.) P. K. Hsiao. This taxon is conventionally treated as a variety of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge and differs from the typical variety in several morphological features. A perennial herb, it grows up to 50–150 cm tall. The taproot (main root) is straight and elongated, cylindrical, slightly ligneous, 20–50 cm long; the root head is 1.5–3 cm in diameter; the surface is light brownish-yellow to dark brown. Stems are erect, many-branched in the upper part, with fine longitudinal ribs, and covered with white pilose. Imparipinnate leaves are alternate; petioles bear lanceolate stipules (peraphylla) at the base, ca. 6 cm long; leaflets number 13–27 or 25–37; leaflet blades are broadly elliptic, elliptic, or oblong-ovate, 4–9 mm or 7–30 mm long and 3–12 mm wide; the apex is obtuse or emarginate (slightly concave), with a short mucro (pointed or inconspicuous); the base is cuneate or rounded; margins are entire; both surfaces are covered with white pilose.
Differences between (1) Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge and (2) Astragalus membranaceus Bunge var. mongholicus (Bunge.) P. K. Hsiao.: Although the two taxa share similar vegetative morphology and basic anatomical structure, they differ significantly in seed and seedling morphology, pollen ultrastructure, and chromosome karyotype.
URL QR code:
