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:''This article is about the plant genus. The [[talus bone]] of the [[ankle]] is also sometimes called the Astragalus.''
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Astragalus''
| image = Astragalus centralpinus.JPG
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Astragalus centralpinus''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fabales]]
| familia = [[Fabaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Faboideae]]
| tribus = [[Galegeae]]
| genus = '''''Astragalus'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
See text.
}}
'''''Astragalus''''' (''[[Syllable stress of Botanical Latin|As-trá-ga-lus]]'') is a large genus of about 2,000 species of [[herb]]s and small [[shrub]]s, 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 [[Vicia|vetch]]es are similar in appearance, but vetches are more [[vine]]-like.
''Astragalus'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e 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
{|
|- valign=top
|
*''Astragalus adsurgens''
*''Astragalus agrestis''
*''Astragalus alopecuroides''
*''[[Astragalus alpinus]]''
*''Astragalus angustifolius''
*''Astragalus arenarius''
*''Astragalus aristatus''
*''[[Astragalus atropilosulus]]''
*''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''
|}
==Medicinal use==
''[[Astragalus membranaceus]]'', or ''huángqí'' ([[wiktionary:黄|黄]][[wiktionary:芪|芪]], literally "yellow leader"; also called ''běiqí'', [[wiktionary:北|北]][[wiktionary:芪|芪]], literally "northern leader") is a tonic herb originally used in [[traditional Chinese medicine|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 [[pharmaceutical]]s and [[textile]]s, is obtained from ''Astragalus tragacanthus''. It is claimed to help the [[immune system]], and to increase the body's resistance to common [[virus]]es.
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[[http://www.gaiagarden.ca/products/astragalus/]].
The biotech company [[Geron Corporation]] has determined that a molecule from this plant called TA-65 is a [[telomerase]] activator. According to PRNewswire, TA Sciences, has a license from Geron to sell TA-65 and is now selling it as a neutraceutical anti-aging product at their TA Sciences Center in New York City. [http://sev.prnewswire.com/biotechnology/20070409/NYM08109042007-1.html]
==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.
==Ornamental use==
Several species, including ''A. alpinus'' (bluish-purple flowers), ''A. hypoglottis'' (purple flowers) and ''A. lotoides'', are grown as [[ornamental plant]]s in gardens.
== External references ==
{{Commons}}
* [http://ginger.ucdavis.edu/astragalus/astragalus_home.htm Astragalus]
* [http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Astragalus_microcephalus Medicinal uses of Astragalus in Armenia]
* [http://www.online-vitamins-guide.com/supplements/astragalus.htm Astragalus Supplements]
* [http://www.herbmed.org/Herbs/Herb26.htm Astralagus information]
[[Category:Dietary supplements]]
[[Category:Faboideae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Traditional Chinese medicine]]
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Astragalus''
| image = Astragalus centralpinus.JPG
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Astragalus centralpinus''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fabales]]
| familia = [[Fabaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Faboideae]]
| tribus = [[Galegeae]]
| genus = '''''Astragalus'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
See text.
}}
'''''Astragalus''''' (''[[Syllable stress of Botanical Latin|As-trá-ga-lus]]'') is a large genus of about 2,000 species of [[herb]]s and small [[shrub]]s, 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 [[Vicia|vetch]]es are similar in appearance, but vetches are more [[vine]]-like.
''Astragalus'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e 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
{|
|- valign=top
|
*''Astragalus adsurgens''
*''Astragalus agrestis''
*''Astragalus alopecuroides''
*''[[Astragalus alpinus]]''
*''Astragalus angustifolius''
*''Astragalus arenarius''
*''Astragalus aristatus''
*''[[Astragalus atropilosulus]]''
*''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''
|}
==Medicinal use==
''[[Astragalus membranaceus]]'', or ''huángqí'' ([[wiktionary:黄|黄]][[wiktionary:芪|芪]], literally "yellow leader"; also called ''běiqí'', [[wiktionary:北|北]][[wiktionary:芪|芪]], literally "northern leader") is a tonic herb originally used in [[traditional Chinese medicine|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 [[pharmaceutical]]s and [[textile]]s, is obtained from ''Astragalus tragacanthus''. It is claimed to help the [[immune system]], and to increase the body's resistance to common [[virus]]es.
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[[http://www.gaiagarden.ca/products/astragalus/]].
The biotech company [[Geron Corporation]] has determined that a molecule from this plant called TA-65 is a [[telomerase]] activator. According to PRNewswire, TA Sciences, has a license from Geron to sell TA-65 and is now selling it as a neutraceutical anti-aging product at their TA Sciences Center in New York City. [http://sev.prnewswire.com/biotechnology/20070409/NYM08109042007-1.html]
==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.
==Ornamental use==
Several species, including ''A. alpinus'' (bluish-purple flowers), ''A. hypoglottis'' (purple flowers) and ''A. lotoides'', are grown as [[ornamental plant]]s in gardens.
== External references ==
{{Commons}}
* [http://ginger.ucdavis.edu/astragalus/astragalus_home.htm Astragalus]
* [http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Astragalus_microcephalus Medicinal uses of Astragalus in Armenia]
* [http://www.online-vitamins-guide.com/supplements/astragalus.htm Astragalus Supplements]
* [http://www.herbmed.org/Herbs/Herb26.htm Astralagus information]
[[Category:Dietary supplements]]
[[Category:Faboideae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Traditional Chinese medicine]]
