Astragalus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the plant genus. The talus bone of the ankle is also sometimes called the Astragalus.

Astragalus

Astragalus centralpinus

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Tribe:	Galegeae
Genus:	Astragalus L.

Species

See text.

Astragalus is a large genus of about 2,000 species of herbs and small shrubs, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. The genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Common names include milk-vetch (most species) and goat's-thorn (A. gummifera, A. tragacanthus). Some pale-flowered vetches are similar in appearance, but vetches are more vine-like.

Astragalus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the following case-bearers of the genus Coleophora: C. astragalella (feeds exclusively on A. glycyphyllos), C. cartilaginella (feeds exclusively on Astragalus), C. colutella, C. euryaula (feeds exclusively on Astragalus), C. gallipennella (feeds exclusively on A. glycyphyllos), C. hippodromica (feeds exclusively on A. gombo), C. onobrychiella (feeds exclusively on Astragalus), C. polonicella (feeds exclusively on A. arenarius) and C. vicinella.

Selected species

Astragalus adsurgens
Astragalus agrestis
Astragalus alopecuroides
Astragalus alpinus
Astragalus angustifolius
Astragalus arenarius
Astragalus aristatus
Astragalus baionensis
Astragalus barrii
Astragalus bibullatus
Astragalus bisulcatus
Astragalus boeticus
Astragalus canadensis
Astragalus centralpinus
Astragalus christianus
Astragalus cicer
Astragalus coccineus

Astragalus crassicarpus
Astragalus danicus
Astragalus depressus
Astragalus echinus
Astragalus eriocarpus
Astragalus exscapus
Astragalus frigidus
Astragalus galegiformis
Astragalus gilviflorus
Astragalus glycyphyllos
Astragalus gummifera
Astragalus hypoglottis
Astragalus lemmonii
Astragalus leontinus
Astragalus lusitanicus
Astragalus lotoides
Astragalus massiliensis
Astragalus membranaceus

Astragalus missouriensis
Astragalus monspessulanus
Astragalus newberryi
Astragalus norvegicus
Astragalus nuttallii
Astragalus onobrychis
Astragalus penduliflorus
Astragalus purshii
Astragalus sempervirens
Astragalus shinanensis
Astragalus shiroumaensis
Astragalus sirinicus
Astragalus spatulatus
Astragalus trichopodus
Astragalus tridactylus
Astragalus tragacanthus

1 Medicinal use
2 Traditional use of huang qi (radix astragali)
3 Ornamental use
4 External references

[edit] Medicinal use

Astragalus membranaceus, or huángqí (黄芪, literally "yellow leader"; also called běiqí, 北芪, literally "northern leader") is a tonic herb originally used in Chinese medicine. It is believed to be a galactagogue, and recent studies show that it may strengthen the human immune system.

The natural gum tragacanth, which is used in pharmaceuticals and textiles, is obtained from Astragalus tragacanthus. It is claimed to help the immune system, and to increase the body's resistance to common viruses.

In western herbal medicine, Astragalus is primarily considered a tonic for enhancing metabolism and digestion and is consumed as a tea made from the roots of the plant. It is also traditionally used to strengthen the immune system and in the healing of wounds and injuries[[1]].

According to [TAsciences.com], a derivative of this plant called TA-65 can be used as a telomerase activator. This company, which has a license from Geron Corporation, will begin offering TA-65 as a neutraceutical anti-aging substance in April of 2007.

[edit] Traditional use of huang qi (radix astragali)

Replenishes the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach
Causes the Yang Qi of the Spleen and Stomach to Ascend
Benefits the Qi and consolidates the surface, controls sweating
Promotes urination and disperses swelling caused by a deficiency pattern
Promotes the discharge of pus and speeds healing
Tonifies and nourishes the Qi and Blood
Used for Wasting and Thirsting syndrome (diabetes)

It enters the Lung and Spleen meridians and its properties are Sweet and Slightly Warm

Contraindications: Deficient Yin with Heat, Exterior Excess Heat Notes: Prepare with Honey to tonify Spleen and Stomach Qi, with wine to tonify the essence or with salt to tonify the Kidneys.

[edit] Ornamental use

Several species, including A. alpinus (bluish-purple flowers), A. hypoglottis (purple flowers) and A. lotoides, are grown as ornamental plants in gardens.