Practical
Plants

Astragalus membranaceus

Huang Qi

a perennial member of the Astragalus genus in the family Leguminosae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Bees, Lepidoptera
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Lepidoptera

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Many members of this genus contain toxic glycosides[10]. All species with edible seedpods can be distinguished by their fleshy round or oval seedpod that looks somewhat like a greengage[11]. A number of species can also accumulate toxic levels of selenium when grown in soils that are relatively rich in that element[10].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Huang Qi is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[5]. 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[6]. 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[7]. Huang Qi is used especially for treatment of the kidneys and also to avoid senility[5]. The plant is often used in conjunction with other herbs such as Atractylodes macrocephala and Ledebouriella seseloides[6]. The root contains a number of bio-active constituents including saponins and isoflavonoids[9]. It is adaptogen, antipyretic, diuretic, tonic, uterine stimulant and vasodilator[5][7][9]. It is used in the treatment of cancer, prolapse of the uterus or anus, abscesses and chronic ulcers, chronic nephritis with oedema and proteinuria[3][5]. 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[7][9]. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy recover faster and live longer if given Huang Qi concurrently[7]. The root of 4 year old plants is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[6][7]. The plant is antipyretic, diuretic, pectoral and tonic[5]. Extracts of the plant are bactericidal, hypoglycaemic and hypotensive[5]. Cardiotonic, vasodilator[3].

Product or use
Adaptogen
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic
Product or use
Hypotensive
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vasodilator
Product or use
Uterine tonic

Ecology and functions

Nitrogen fixer

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China.
Habitat
Dry sandy soils[6]. Mountain thickets[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
low
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[4]. A period of cold stratification may help stored seed to germinate[4]. 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[2][4]. 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[2][4]. 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[2]. 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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a dry well-drained soil in a sunny position[1]. Prefers a sandy slightly alkaline soil[6]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[6]. There is some disagreement over the correct name for this species, with several authorities seeing it as part of A. penduliflorus[8]. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance and are best planted in their final positions whilst still small[4]. 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[4]. 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[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  5. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  7. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Yakovlev. G. Sytin. A. & Roskov. Yu. Legumes of Northern Eurasia Royal Botanic gardens, Kew. 1996-00-00 ISBN 0-947643-97-4

    ↩

  9. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩1↩2

  11. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩

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