Introduction of Huang Qi:Milkvetch Root,Astrgalus Root,or Radix Astragali.
✵The article gives records of the herb Milkvetch Root, Astragalus Root, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source two plant species, ①.Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge., ②.Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.var.mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these two plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these two plant species, the features of the herb Milkvetch Root, Astragalus Root, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Radix Astragali(Milkvetch Root).
Pin Yin Name: Huánɡ Qí.
English Name: Milkvetch Root, Astragalus Root.
Latin Name: Radix Astragali.
Property and flavor: warm or slightly warm in nature, tastes sweet.
Brief introduction: The herb Radix Astragali is the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.)Bge., or Astrgalus membranaceus var.mongholicus(Bge.)Hsiao, used (1).to replenish Qi for the treatment of general weakness, anorexia and loose stools, prolapse of the uterus or anus, spontaneous sweating, and chronic nephritis with edema and proteinuria, and (2).to dispel pus and accelerate the healing of chronic ulcers. The herb is commonly known as Radix Astragali, Milkvetch Root, Huánɡ Qí.
Botanical source: Common herbal classics defined the herb Astragalus Root, or the Radix Astragali(Huang Qi) as the dry root of the plant species (1).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao., or (2).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge. The first one is normally identified as one varietas of the Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge. They are plant species of the Astragalus Linn. Genus, the Fabaceae family (Leguminosae, Papilionaceae, legume, pea family) of the Rosales order. These 2 commonly used species are introduced:
(1).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.
Botanical description: The Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge., is a plant of the Fabaceae family (Leguminosae, Papilionaceae, legume, pea family) and Astragalus L genus, perennial herb, it grows up to 50~100 cm tall. Main root is hypertrophic, woody, often branched, off-white. Stems are upright, much-branched at upper part, with fine ribs, white pilose. Pinnate with 13~27 leaflets, 5~10 cm long; petiole is 0.5~1 cm; stipules are free, ovate, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, 4~10 mm long, lower part is white soft glabrous or glabrous; leaflets are elliptic or oblong-ovate, 7~30 mm long, 3~12 mm wide, apex is obtuse or slightly concave, with small pointed or inconspicuous, base is rounded, upper part is green, proximal glabrous, lower part with white pilose. Racemes are slightly dense, with 10~20 flowers; total pedicels and leaves are nearly as long or long, fruit is significantly elongated; bracts are linear-lanceolate, 2~5 mm long, abaxially white pilose; Pedicels are 3~4 mm long, slightly brown or black pilose with inflorescences bracteate; 2 bracteoles; calyx campanulate, 5~7 mm long, outside white or black pilose, sometimes calyx tube is subglabrous, calyx teeth are hairy, short, triangular to subulate, longer than only 1/4~1/5 of calyx tube; corolla is yellow or yellowish, flag flap obovate, 12~20 mm long, the base has a short handle, the flap is slightly shorter than the flap, the valve is oblong, the base is with short ears, valve handle is about 1.5 times longer than the flap, the keel flap and wing flap are nearly equal length, flap is semi-oval, pedicel is slightly longer than valves; ovary shank, pilose. Pods are thinly membranous, slightly swollen, semi-elliptic, 20~30 mm long, 8~12 mm wide, spiny apical, both sides are white or black pubescent, fruit neck is beyond the calyx; 3~8 seeds. Its flowering period is from June to August, fruiting from July to September.
Ecological Environment: The Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge., grows in the forest edge, thickets or sparse forest, also found in the hillside meadow or meadow, bushwood, sandy land. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the north-central and northwest to the southwest provinces of China, and it is also cultivated in other provinces too.
Growth characteristics: The Astragalus membranaceus prefers dry and sunny soil, better to choose a deep soil layer and rich humus. It requires neutral and slightly alkaline sandy loam with strong water permeability. The soil in full flowering period should not be too dry, or the flowers and fruits will fall.
Characters of herbs: The root is cylindrical, some roots have branches, and the upper end is thick and slightly twisted, with a length of 30~90 cm and a diameter of 0.7~3.5 cm or 1~3.5 cm. The surface is light brown-yellow or light-brown, with irregular longitudinal wrinkles or grooves, and long transverse lenticels. The cork bark is easy to peel off to expose yellow-white bark, and some reticular fiber bundles are visible. The texture of the herb is hard and flexible, not easy to break, the fracture surface is strong fibrous, and powdery, the cortex is yellow-white, the wood part is light yellow, there are radial texture and cracks, the core part of the old root is occasionally withered, dark brown or hollow of the center part. The herb has a slight odor, it tastes slightly sweet with a slight bean taste.
Botanical description: The Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao. is a plant of the Fabaceae family (Leguminosae, Papilionaceae, legume, pea family) and Astragalus L genus, it is normally identified as one varietas of the Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge., and has small differences from it. Perennial herb, the plant grows up to 50~100 cm tall. Main root is hypertrophic, woody, often branched, off-white. Stems are upright, much-branched at upper part, with fine ribs, white pilose. Pinnate with 13~27 leaflets, 5~10 cm long; petiole is 0.5~1 cm; stipules are free, ovate, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, 4~10 mm long, lower part is white soft glabrous or glabrous; leaflets are elliptic or oblong-ovate, 7~30 mm long, 3~12 mm wide, apex is obtuse or slightly concave, with small pointed or inconspicuous, base is rounded, upper part is green, proximal glabrous, lower part is white pilose. Racemes are slightly dense, with 10~20 flowers; total pedicels and leaves are nearly as long or long, fruit is significantly elongated; bracts are linear-lanceolate, 2~5 mm long, abaxially is white pilose; Pedicels are 3~4 mm long, slightly brown or black pilose with inflorescences bracteate; 2 bracteoles; calyx is campanulate, 5~7 mm long, outside has white or black pilose, sometimes with calyx tube nearly glabrous, calyx teeth are hairy, short, triangular to subulate, longer than only 1/4~1/5 of calyx tube; corolla is yellow or yellowish, flag flap is obovate, 12~20 mm long, the base has a short handle, the flap is slightly shorter than the flap, the valve is oblong, the base with short ears, valve handle about 1.5 times longer than the flap, the keel flap and wing flap are nearly equal length, flap is semi-oval, pedicel is slightly longer than valves; ovary shank, pilose. Pods are thinly membranous, slightly swollen, semi-elliptic, 20~30 mm long, 8~12 mm wide, spiny apical, both sides are white or black pubescent, fruit neck beyond the calyx; 3~8 seeds. Its flowering period is from June to August, fruiting from July to September.
Ecological Environment: the Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao. , grows in the sunny grass and wild sunny hillside. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the north-west area of China, including Hebei and Shanxi, southwest provinces Tibet, etc.
Difference between the (1).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge. ,and (2).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao.: (1).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge. ,and (2).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao. have similar botanical characteristics, the vegetative organs anatomical structure is basically the same, but there are significant differences in seed and seedling morphology, pollen morphology and chromosome karyotype.
①.Differences in plant morphology: The seedlings of (1).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge. is taller and thicker than the (2).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao., dense villi surface, under the electron microscope to see epidermal hair surface dense papillae; first to fourth true leaves for the three pinnate, the first 5 true leaves began to appear with 5 leaflets pinnate and gradually increased, mature leaflets are up to 13 to 27; leaflets are larger, length 7~30 mm, width 3~10 mm; and the (2).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao. sparse pubescent hair the surface is smooth, the second true leaf is a 5-leaflet pinnate, leaflets as many as 25~37 pieces, leaflet length is 5~10 mm, width 3~5 mm.
②.Pod and seed differences: The pod surface of (1).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge. is attached with black pubescence. The surface of the seed coat is reticulated. The pod of (2).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao. is glabrous and the ornamentation of the seed coat is crumpled. The seeds of the 2 kinds of Astragalus are observed under the naked eye and light microscope, the morphological differences of the seeds are not obvious. However, under the electron microscope, the morphology of the germinating holes and the microstructure of the umbilical cord and the seed coat of the two kinds of Astragalus are significantly different. The seed of (2).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao. show a higher rate of hard solid rate, irregular germination, germination peak lag.
Pharmacological actions: ①.the influence of astragalus membranaceus on the immune system; ②.the effect on the body metabolism; ③.the impact on the hematopoietic function; ④.effects on the cardiovascular system; ⑤.antiviral effect; ⑥.anti-cancer effect; ⑦.reduces kidney lesions; ⑧.protects brain hypoxia injury; ⑨.anti-mutation effect; ⑩.enhances learning and memory function, and other effects.
Medicinal efficacy: Tonifying Qi and elevating Yang, strengthening exterior and reducing sweat, inducing diuresis to alleviate edema, promote the secretion of saliva or body fluid and nourishing blood, free stagnation and obstruction, pusdraining and toxin-expelling, healing sore and promoting granulation (promote tissue regeneration). It is indicated for deficiency of Qi and feeble (Qi deficiency, weak or lacking in strength), overexertion syndrome due to endogenous hurt, splenasthenic diarrhea (diarrhea due to spleen deficiency), poor appetite and loose stool, sinking of Qi of the middle energizer, chronic diarrhea and archoptosis(prolapse of rectum due to chronic diarrhea), archoptosis, hysteroptosis, hematemesis (spitting blood), hemafecia (hematochezia, passing blood in one's stool), metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, exterior deficiency and spontaneous sweating, Qi deficiency edema, edema, spontaneous perspiration, night sweating (perspire during sleep), cough due to deficiency of the lung, endogenous heat and wasting thirst (internal heat, consumptive thirst), blood deficiency and sallow complexion (blood deficiency, looks yellowing), hemiplegia (paralysis of half of one's body), numbness and pain, carbuncle-abscess difficult to break or ruptured carbuncle resistant to healing, blood-arthralgia, all syndromes of Qi and blood deficiency, etc.
Administration of Radix Astragali (Huánɡ Qí):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Radix Astragali (Huánɡ Qí)
TCM Books:
①.Internally:9~30 grams; ②.Internally:water decoction, 10~15 grams, big dosage could be up to 30~60 grams;or prepare to pill, powder, ointment.
Contraindications, Precautions and Adverse Reactions:the herb Radix Astragali should not be combined with Carapax et Plastrum Testudinis (turtleback), Dictamni cortex, Radix Saposhnikoviae, Faeces Togopteri, Black False Hellebore.
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1.Introduction of Huang Qi:Milkvetch Root,Astrgalus Root,or Radix Astragali.
✵The article gives records of the herb Milkvetch Root, Astragalus Root, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source two plant species, ①.Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge., ②.Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.var.mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these two plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these two plant species, the features of the herb Milkvetch Root, Astragalus Root, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Huánɡ Qí.
Botanical description: The Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge., is a plant of the Fabaceae family (Leguminosae, Papilionaceae, legume, pea family) and Astragalus L genus, perennial herb, it grows up to 50~100 cm tall. Main root is hypertrophic, woody, often branched, off-white. Stems are upright, much-branched at upper part, with fine ribs, white pilose. Pinnate with 13~27 leaflets, 5~10 cm long; petiole is 0.5~1 cm; stipules are free, ovate, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, 4~10 mm long, lower part is white soft glabrous or glabrous; leaflets are elliptic or oblong-ovate, 7~30 mm long, 3~12 mm wide, apex is obtuse or slightly concave, with small pointed or inconspicuous, base is rounded, upper part is green, proximal glabrous, lower part with white pilose. Racemes are slightly dense, with 10~20 flowers; total pedicels and leaves are nearly as long or long, fruit is significantly elongated; bracts are linear-lanceolate, 2~5 mm long, abaxially white pilose; Pedicels are 3~4 mm long, slightly brown or black pilose with inflorescences bracteate; 2 bracteoles; calyx campanulate, 5~7 mm long, outside white or black pilose, sometimes calyx tube is subglabrous, calyx teeth are hairy, short, triangular to subulate, longer than only 1/4~1/5 of calyx tube; corolla is yellow or yellowish, flag flap obovate, 12~20 mm long, the base has a short handle, the flap is slightly shorter than the flap, the valve is oblong, the base is with short ears, valve handle is about 1.5 times longer than the flap, the keel flap and wing flap are nearly equal length, flap is semi-oval, pedicel is slightly longer than valves; ovary shank, pilose. Pods are thinly membranous, slightly swollen, semi-elliptic, 20~30 mm long, 8~12 mm wide, spiny apical, both sides are white or black pubescent, fruit neck is beyond the calyx; 3~8 seeds. Its flowering period is from June to August, fruiting from July to September.
Characters of herbs: The root is cylindrical, some roots have branches, and the upper end is thick and slightly twisted, with a length of 30~90 cm and a diameter of 0.7~3.5 cm or 1~3.5 cm. The surface is light brown-yellow or light-brown, with irregular longitudinal wrinkles or grooves, and long transverse lenticels. The cork bark is easy to peel off to expose yellow-white bark, and some reticular fiber bundles are visible. The texture of the herb is hard and flexible, not easy to break, the fracture surface is strong fibrous, and powdery, the cortex is yellow-white, the wood part is light yellow, there are radial texture and cracks, the core part of the old root is occasionally withered, dark brown or hollow of the center part. The herb has a slight odor, it tastes slightly sweet with a slight bean taste.
Botanical description: The Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao. is a plant of the Fabaceae family (Leguminosae, Papilionaceae, legume, pea family) and Astragalus L genus, it is normally identified as one varietas of the Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge., and has small differences from it. Perennial herb, the plant grows up to 50~100 cm tall. Main root is hypertrophic, woody, often branched, off-white. Stems are upright, much-branched at upper part, with fine ribs, white pilose. Pinnate with 13~27 leaflets, 5~10 cm long; petiole is 0.5~1 cm; stipules are free, ovate, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, 4~10 mm long, lower part is white soft glabrous or glabrous; leaflets are elliptic or oblong-ovate, 7~30 mm long, 3~12 mm wide, apex is obtuse or slightly concave, with small pointed or inconspicuous, base is rounded, upper part is green, proximal glabrous, lower part is white pilose. Racemes are slightly dense, with 10~20 flowers; total pedicels and leaves are nearly as long or long, fruit is significantly elongated; bracts are linear-lanceolate, 2~5 mm long, abaxially is white pilose; Pedicels are 3~4 mm long, slightly brown or black pilose with inflorescences bracteate; 2 bracteoles; calyx is campanulate, 5~7 mm long, outside has white or black pilose, sometimes with calyx tube nearly glabrous, calyx teeth are hairy, short, triangular to subulate, longer than only 1/4~1/5 of calyx tube; corolla is yellow or yellowish, flag flap is obovate, 12~20 mm long, the base has a short handle, the flap is slightly shorter than the flap, the valve is oblong, the base with short ears, valve handle about 1.5 times longer than the flap, the keel flap and wing flap are nearly equal length, flap is semi-oval, pedicel is slightly longer than valves; ovary shank, pilose. Pods are thinly membranous, slightly swollen, semi-elliptic, 20~30 mm long, 8~12 mm wide, spiny apical, both sides are white or black pubescent, fruit neck beyond the calyx; 3~8 seeds. Its flowering period is from June to August, fruiting from July to September.
Difference between the (1).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge. ,and (2).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao.: (1).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge. ,and (2).Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bge.var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao. have similar botanical characteristics, the vegetative organs anatomical structure is basically the same, but there are significant differences in seed and seedling morphology, pollen morphology and chromosome karyotype.
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