The Diseases of Astragalus (Huangqi)
摘要
Astragalus, a perennial herbaceous plant in the legume family, includes two main species: Mongolian Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus (Bunge) P. K. Hsiao) and membranous Astragalus (A. membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge). It is primarily cultivated in Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, and Gansu provinces, with extensive plantations in Longxi County, Ding’an District, and Weiyuan County in the Gansu Province. Longxi County is known as the “Hometown of Chinese Astragalus.” Astragalus roots are used medicinally for their sweet, warm nature, acting on the lungs and spleen to replenish energy and strengthen the middle. They are commonly used in treating symptoms such as fatigue, reduced appetite, spontaneous sweating, difficult wound healing, organ prolapse, and edema.