The efficacy and function of Astragalus membranaceus

Su Huangqi is very familiar to everyone. Su Huangqi has a very long history and has good effects on regulating the body and treating diseases. It is a good choice for health preservation. Let’s take a look together.

[Other names] Astragalus membranaceus, dry food, dog dry food (Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine).

[Source] It is the root of Malva rotundifolia, a plant of the Malvaceae family. Dig up in spring and autumn, wash and dry.

[Original form] Perennial herb. The roots are deep and thick. Stems creeping, slightly hairy. Leaves are alternate; round kidney-shaped, 2-4 cm long, 4-7 cm wide, with 5-7 obtuse shallow lobes, and obtuse teeth on the edges; petioles are 5-14 cm long. The flowers are white or light blue, about 1.5 cm in diameter, clustered in leaf axils, with slender pedicels and fine hairs; 3 bracts, lanceolate; 5-lobed calyx, broadly ovate, 5 petals, obcordate, 1 times longer than sepals, with fine hairs at the base. There are many stamens, forming a cylinder, with anthers attached to the top; the ovary is multi-chambered, with the number of styles and carpels equal, and the stigma is linear. The fruit is oblate, about 6 mm in diameter, with the back of the carpel densely covered with fine hairs and no obvious wrinkles. Flowering period is from April to May. The fruit ripens in July.

[Habitat distribution] It mostly grows in wasteland beside the road, with occasional cultivation. It is distributed in most parts of the country.

[Chemical composition] Contains fatty oil (containing oleic acid, stearic acid and palmitic acid), wax (mainly octadecane), phytosterols, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride, calcium sulfate, arabinose, mucus, resin and tar-like substances.

[Pharmacological action] The root extract can inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro. The roots, seeds and leaves all contain a lot of mucus, which can be used as a lubricant and soothing irritant for mucosal inflammation.

【Nature and flavor】 "Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine": "sweet in taste, warm in nature."

【Functions and indications】 ① "Jiangsu Plant Medicine Records": "Promotes lactation."

[Usage and Dosage] For internal use: decoction, 3-5 qian; stewing meat, 1-2 liang.

[Additional prescription] ① Treat anemia: 1 liang of wild astragalus and 1 liang of spinach roots, stewed with mutton.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

Through the introduction in the above article, I believe everyone has a certain understanding of Su Huangqi. This is a medicinal material we are very familiar with, but it has many medicinal properties and functions. Therefore, I hope everyone will consume it based on their own situation.