Astragalus propinquus

Taxobox
name = "Astragalus propinquus"

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image_width = 250px
image_caption =
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Fabales
familia = Fabaceae
subfamilia = Faboideae
genus = "Astragalus"
species = "A. propinquus"
binomial = "Astragalus propinquus"
binomial_authority = Schischkincite web|url=http://www.ildis.org/LegumeWeb?version~10.01&LegumeWeb&tno~16104 |title=Astragalus propinquus |accessdate=2008-01-03 |date=2005-11-01 |work=ILDIS LegumeWeb |publisher=International Legume Database & Information Service ]
synonyms=
*"Astragalus membranaceus" (Fisch.) Bunge
*"Astragalus membranaceus" (Fisch.) Bunge var. "mongholicus" (Bunge)P.K.Hsiao
*"Astragalus propinquus" Schischkin var. "glabra" Vydr.
*"Phaca membranacea" Fisch."

"Astragalus propinquus" (syn. "Astragalus membranaceus") also known as "huáng qí" (zh-st|s=|t=) or "běi qí" (zh-t|t=), [cite web|url=http://alternativehealing.org/huang_qi.htm |title=Huang qi, Complementary and Alternative Healing University |accessdate=2008-02-19 ] is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine.cite web|url=http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Astragalus+membranaceus |title=Astragalus membranaceus - Plants For A Future database report |accessdate=2008-02-21 |date=June 2004 |publisher=Plants For A Future ] It is a perennial plant and it is not listed as being threatened.

Uses

"A. propinquus" is used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is used to speed healing and treat diabetes. [cite web|url=http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/astragalus-000223.htm |title=Astragalus |accessdate=2008-02-21 |date=2007 |publisher=University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) ] In western herbal medicine, "Astragalus" is primarily considered a tonic for enhancing metabolism and digestion and is consumed as a tea or soup made from the (usually dried) roots of the plant, often in combination with other medicinal herbs. It is also traditionally used to strengthen the immune system and in the healing of wounds and injuries. [ [http://www.gaiagarden.ca/products/astragalus/ Gaia Garden Herbals | Products : Astragalus ] ]

"A. propinquus" has been asserted to be a tonic that can improve the functioning of the lungs, adrenal glands and the gastrointestinal tract, increase metabolism, sweating, promote healing and reduce fatigue. [cite book | author = Phyllis Balch, C.N.C. | date = 2006 | title = Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food | publisher = Avery Penguin Putnam | isbn=9781583332368]

There is a report in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology that "Astragalus membranaceus" can show "immunomodulating and immunorestorative effects." [cite journal |author=Cho WC, Leung KN |title=In vitro and in vivo immunomodulating and immunorestorative effects of Astragalus membranaceus |journal=J Ethnopharmacol |volume=113 |issue=1 |pages=132–41 |year=2007 |month=Aug |pmid=17611061 |doi=10.1016/j.jep.2007.05.020 |url=] It has been shown to increase the production of interferon and to activate immune cells such as macrophages.

The biotech company Geron Corporation has determined that a molecule from "Astragalus propinquus" root 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. [cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=New Product Scientifically Battles Aging at the Cellular Level | date=2003-04-09 | publisher=PR Newswire Association LLC. | url =http://sev.prnewswire.com/biotechnology/20070409/NYM08109042007-1.html | work =PR Newswire News and Information | pages =1 | accessdate = 2008-01-03 | language = ]

Related species

The natural gum tragacanth, which is used in pharmaceuticals and textiles, is obtained from "Astragalus tragacanthus". [cite news | first=H.S. | last=Gentry | coauthors= M.Mittleman, and P.R. McCrohan | title=The natural gum tragacanth, which is used in pharmaceuticals and textiles, is obtained from Astragalus tragacanthus | date=1990 | publisher=Purdue University | url =http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1990/v1-252.html | work =Purdue University Crop Index | pages =1 | accessdate = 2008-01-03 | language = ] It has been termed as a renal adaptogen.Fact|date=December 2007

ee also

*Chinese herbology

References

External links

* [http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Astragalus+membranaceus "Astragalus membranaceus" Plants for a Future Database]
* [http://sun.ars-grin.gov:8080/npgspub/xsql/duke/plantdisp.xsql?taxon=140 "Astragalus membranaceus" Chemical Compounds (Dr. Duke's Databases)]
* [http://www.herbmed.org/Herbs/Herb26.htm Abstracts Described and Linked from NIH Regarding "Astragalus membranaceus"]