Astragalus membranaceus Bunge is well known as a Chinese medicinal herb, but when the botanist Bunge first named this plant in 1868 he was unaware that the name he used was invalid because it had already been used before (by Moench in 1794). Although the earlier name was never widely adopted or used, the rules of Nomenclature forbid a second use of the same binomial. At the same time he named Astragalus membranaceus, Bunge also named a plant he considered to be closely related - Astragalus mongholicus. Closer investigation has revealed that these two species are, in fact, both different forms of the same species and so the current treatment of this plant in the Flora of China[] is to unite the two under the name Astragalus mongholicus[].

Common Name: Huang Qi

General Information

Astragalus mongholicus is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing 25 - 60cm tall[].
Huang Qi is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs. It is commonly harvested from the wild and is widely traded. It is sometimes cultivated as a medicinal crop, especially in China and Korea[].
The species has a wide distribution range and the population is believed to be stable at present. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

Many members of this genus contain toxic glycosides[].
A number of species can accumulate toxic levels of selenium when grown in soils that are relatively rich in that element[].
All species with edible seedpods can be distinguished by their fleshy round or oval seedpod that looks somewhat like a greengage.[]

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - central Asia, Siberia, Russian Far east, Mongolia, northern and central China.

Habitat

Dry sandy soils[]. Mountain thickets[]. Steppes, meadows, xerophytic shrubs, coniferous forests; montane belt; at elevations from 800 - 2,000 metres[]. Steppe hillsides, open woods in Siberia[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[].
Requires a dry well-drained soil in a sunny position[]. Prefers a sandy slightly alkaline soil[].
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance and are best planted in their final positions whilst still small[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[]. Many members of this genus can be difficult to grow, this may be due partly to a lack of their specific bacterial associations in the soil[].

Edible Uses

Root - cooked[]. It is added to soups[]. The root is rather woody, and is probably added more for its medicinal virtues than for its culinary virtues[].

Medicinal

Huang Qi is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[]. The root is a sweet tonic herb that stimulates the immune system and many organs of the body, whilst lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels[]. It is particularly suited to young, physically active people, increasing stamina and endurance and improving resistance to the cold - indeed for younger people it is perhaps superior to ginseng in this respect[]. Huang Qi is used especially for treatment of the kidneys and also to avoid senility[].
The plant is often used in conjunction with other herbs such as Atractylodes macrocephala and Ledebouriella seseloides[].

The root contains a number of bio-active constituents including saponins and isoflavonoids[]. It is adaptogen, antipyretic, diuretic, tonic, uterine stimulant and vasodilator[, , ]. It is used in the treatment of cancer, prolapse of the uterus or anus, abscesses and chronic ulcers, chronic nephritis with oedema and proteinuria[, ].
The roots contain astragalan - this has various effects on the body including aiding detoxification, increasing the function of humoral immunity (increasing the size of the spleen, increasing the production of plasma cells and antibodies and having an effect against immunosuppressants), increasing the production of macrophages and increasing bodily resistance[].
Recent research in the West has shown that the root can increase the production of interferon and macrophages and thus help restore normal immune function in cancer patients[, ]. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy recover faster and live longer if given Huang Qi concurrently[].
The root of 4 year old plants is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[, ].

The plant is antipyretic, diuretic, pectoral and tonic[]. Extracts of the plant are bactericidal, hypoglycaemic and hypotensive[].
Cardiotonic, vasodilator[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. A period of cold stratification may help stored seed to germinate[]. Stored seed, and perhaps also fresh seed, should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in hot water before sowing - but make sure that you do not cook the seed[, ]. Any seed that does not swell should be carefully pricked with a needle, taking care not to damage the embryo, and re-soaked for a further 24 hours[, ]. Germination can be slow and erratic but is usually within 4 - 9 weeks or more at 13°c if the seed is treated or sown fresh[]. As soon as it is large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.