Milkvetch
Astragalus membranaceus
Family: Leguminosae
Common names: Chinese milkvetch, huang
qi, milkvetch
Table of Contents
- Description
- Origin
- Uses
- Culture
- Sources
- Thanks to..
Description
Astragalus is a perennial with hairy stems and pinnate leaves made
up of 12-18 pairs of leaflets. It grows approximately 40cm tall.
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Origin
Mongolia, N. China: A. membranaceus is not well known in
the west but has been used in China for thousands of years and is
a popular tonic herbs. Among it's constituents are asparagine, calcyosin
formononetin, astragalosides, kumatakenin, and sterols.
Uses of Astragalus and claims
- Culinary: none
- Medicinal: root is claimed to have adaptogenic, immune
stimulant, diuretic, vasodilator, and antiviral activity.
- Industrial: none
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Culture
- Propagation: Astralagus is propagated from seed easily.
Seeds germinate in about 4 weeks and can be transplanted at 12
weeks.
- Soil Type: Astragalus prefers sandy, well-drained soil
in a sunny location.
- Cultivation: Astralagus should be planted in late spring
or early summer. Irrigation needs in the summer are average to
low.
- Harvest: Harvest the root in late fall after 3 or more
years of growth.
Sources
- Chevallier, A. 1996. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Reader's
Digest Association.
- Chinese Herbal Medicine. 1998. Shambhala Publications Inc.
- Richters Herb Catalogue 1998.
- Sturdivant, L, T. Blakley. 1999. Medicinal Herbs in the Garden,
Field and Marketplace. San Juan Naturals.
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Thanks to
This demonstration garden was a result of the efforts
of Dr. Alan McKeown, Vegetable Scientist, University of Guelph and
was made possible with grants from the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable
Growers Association and the Tobacco Diversification Program.
The information on this page was originally written by Jan Schooley,
former Ginseng and Medicinal Herbs Specialist.
