Astragalus Root Identity & Plant Part
The botanical entity is Astragalus membranaceus, a perennial legume native to northern China, Mongolia and neighboring regions. The part used is the dried root, a long, yellowish, fibrous taproot. Aerial parts, seeds and leaves are not included in this astragalus root extract. The huang qi root of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia is defined as the root of A. membranaceus or of its variety mongholicus, and both are traded under the same name. The specification groups the part as Root & Rhizome, but for astragalus the material is the taproot. Traditional use is a water decoction of the sliced dried root, which is the route this water extract follows.
Take care with the genus name.
The root holds cycloartane-type saponins known as astragalosides, polysaccharides, and isoflavonoids such as calycosin and formononetin.












