Astragalus

ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS (HUANG QI) The Qi Tonic—An Asian Root for Immunity, Vitality, and Adaptation BOTANICAL IDENTIFICATION Scientific Name: Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) BungeSynonym: Astragalus propinquus SchischkinCommon Names: Huang Qi, Milk Vetch Root, Yellow LeaderFamily: Fabaceae Astragalus membranaceus is a perennial herbaceous plant growing 30–100 centimeters tall. It features pinnate compound leaves with numerous leaflets and pale yellow papilionaceous flowers. The root is thick, fibrous, and yellowish-brown, harvested at 4–6 years of age for medicinal use. Native to northern China, Mongolia, and parts of Siberia. Prefers dry slopes, grasslands, and forest edges in temperate climates. Adaptations include nitrogen-fixing root nodules and drought tolerance. CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL USE Astragalus membranaceus has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for over 2,000 years as a foundational Qi tonic. Known as Huang Qi, it is used to strengthen Wei Qi (defensive e