
Astragalus is a perennial plant in the Fabaceae family native to China, Mongolia and North Korea. This sun-loving herb grows on mountainsides and in grassy areas, and when grown for cultivation, are harvested after four to five years. Its yellow roots, which is the part of the plant most commonly used for medicinal purposes, are then dried in the sun before being distributed.
The herb was first recorded in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) classic Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica Classic), which is the foundation of TCM. Within the text, herbs were arranged by type of materials (e.g. herb, tree), then graded according to potency. Astragalus was listed in the highest class, and was commonly made into tea or soups.
Traditional Uses in Western Herbal Medicine
· Support the immune system to fight illness
· Maintain healthy immune system function
· As an adaptogen to help the body adapt to stress
· Maintain general health and wellbeing
Scientific Name
Astragalus membranaceus
Sourced From
Gansu province, Inner Mongolia
Part of Plant Used
Root, extract