Mongolian milkvetch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mongolian milkvetch
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Astragalus borealimongolicus Y.Z.Zhao Astragalus membranaceus var. mandshuricus Nakai, not validly publ. Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus (Bunge) P.K.Hsiao Astragalus membranaceus f. propinquus (Schischk.) Kitag. Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. ex Bunge, nom. cons. Astragalus mongholicus var. dahuricus (Fisch. ex DC.) Podlech Astragalus penduliflorus var. dahuricus (Fisch. ex DC.) X.Y.Zhu Astragalus penduliflorus var. mongholicus (Bunge) X.Y.Zhu Astragalus propinquus var. glaber Vydrina, no type. Astragalus propinquus Schischk. Astragalus purdomii N.D.Simpson Phaca abbreviata Ledeb. Phaca alpina var. dahurica Fisch. ex DC. Phaca macrostachys Turcz. Phaca membranacea Fisch. ex Link, nom. nud. Tragacantha membranacea (Fisch. ex Bunge) Kuntze Tragacantha mongholica (Bunge) Kuntze

Astragalus mongholicus, synonyms including Astragalus propinquus and Astragalus membranaceus, commonly known as Mongolian milkvetch in English; 'Хунчир' in Mongolian; huáng qí (Chinese: 黃芪), běi qí (Chinese: 北芪) or huáng huā huáng qí (Chinese: 黃花黃耆), in Mongolia, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Mongolian medicine. It is a perennial plant and it is not listed as being threatened.

Distribution

A. mongholicus is widespread in temperate Asia, being found in Kazakhstan, from Siberia to the Russian Far East, in Mongolia, and in west and north China.

Herbalism

A. mongholicus is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). A. mongholicus is a component in Lectranal, a food supplement used in treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, though there is limited evidence of its effectiveness.

Chemistry

Chemical constituents of the roots (Radix Astragali) include polysaccharides and triterpenoids (such as astragalosides), as well as isoflavones (including kumatakenin, calycosin, and formononetin) and their glycosides and malonates. It contains the saponin cycloastragenol.

Toxicology

While several other species of Astragalus are known to cause severe poisonings in livestock due to indolizine alkaloids, aliphatic nitro compounds, and accumulated selenium, none of these constituents have been detected in Astragalus mongholicus used in dietary supplements and TCM preparations.

Compendial status

A. mongholicus is listed (as A. propinquus) in the following official pharmacopoeia:

• Japanese Pharmacopoeia

See also

In Spanish: Huáng qí para niños

• Tremella fuciformis