Astragalus chinensis
Astragalus chinensis, commonly known as Astragalus or Milkvetch, is a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine. Renowned for its potent immune-modulating properties, this medicinal herb is frequently used to enhance vitality, combat fatigue, and support respiratory health. Its roots contain bioactive compounds vital for promoting longevity and overall wellness.
- Scientific name: Astragalus chinensis
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. It is further identified by the genus Astragalus, specifically as the species Astragalus chinensis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Astragalus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Astragalus chinensis, is referred to by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Chinese, it is identified by several names, including 华黄耆, 华黄芪, 華黃蓍, and 地黄耆. Additionally, in the Azerbaijani language, it is known as Çin gəvəni.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 华黄耆 | Wikidata |
| az | Çin gəvəni | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 华黄芪 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 華黃蓍 | Wikidata |
| zh | 地黄耆 | Wikidata |
| zh | 球花紫云英 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated across East Asia. In the Russian Far East, it can be found growing in the Amur, Khabarovsk, and Primorye regions. Its distribution also extends significantly into China, where it inhabits the territory of Manchuria. Furthermore, the species is documented within the Inner Mongolia region of China. These combined locations define the primary natural habitat for Astragalus chinensis.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Russian Far East | Amur | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Khabarovsk | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| China | Inner Mongolia | WCVP |
| China | Manchuria | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | Qinghai | WCVP |
| Mongolia | Mongolia | WCVP |
| Northwestern U.S.A. | Idaho | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Oklahoma | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Huang Qi in traditional medicine, is a perennial legume that utilizes its various structures for survival and reproduction. While the roots are the most highly valued part for medicinal purposes due to their concentrated bioactive compounds, the plant also produces distinctive flowers and pods. Within these pods, the development of the seeds serves as the primary method for the species to propagate and ensure the continuation of future generations.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Astragalus chinensis has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include acetic acid, alanine, arginine, choline, daucosterol.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| acetic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alanine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arginine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| choline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| daucosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fructose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| octacosane | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sucrose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| threonine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |