Astragalus Membranaceus
(Huang Qi/ Milk Vetch)
(5 Seeds)
Astragalus Membranaceus (propinquus), which is also known as Huang Qi or milk vetch, is an important Chinese medicinal herb that has been used for thousands of years dating back to the Emperor Sheng Nung. The yellow tap root is the part of the plant that is used most often. Huang Qi is a tonic herb that purportedly supports the immune system. As you might expect from this, Astragalus root is used to fight cold, cough and flu. Huang Qi is also said to be a cancer-fighting herb as well, and it has even been used for diabetes. In Chinese medicine, Astragalus root is seen as a healing herb that improves circulation and can help speed recovery from injuries and cuts. Astragalus root is used for burns and sunburn as well. Huang Qi is thought to be beneficial to the kidneys, liver, spleen, lungs and GI tract, and it is used as a remedy for diarrhea and stomach ulcers. Users look to astragalus root to increase metabolism and aid digestion too.
Astragalus Membranaceus is yellow-flowered perennial herb that grows in northern China. It is hardy to zone 6. Huang Qi is a legume, meaning that it is related to peas, clover, and mimosa. Legumes are known to improve soil quality by establishing a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria that draw atmospheric nitrogen from the air and make it readily available to the roots of plants.
Growing Information:
Astragalus Membranaceus seeds have a hard seed coat that needs to be worn down to allow water to penetrate. This process is called scarification and can be accomplished by rubbing the seeds on sand paper or putting them in a bag of course sand and rubbing them together. You can also use a knife to nick the seeds. Direct sowing outdoors is recommended over transplanting. The best time to sow milk vetch is early in the spring or in late fall. Astragalus Membranaceus prefers a deep, sandy, loose, slightly alkaline soil. Sow your seeds at a depth of ½” keeping the soil only lightly moist for germination. A final spacing of 12” is ideal, so you can choose to plant seeds in closer increments and thin out the extras. It is especially important to stress that the soil be loose so that the roots can develop well. Provide full sunlight for at least eight hours a day for your milk vetch seedlings and plants. Astragalus membranaceus often will not require supplemental watering. Water only if the plant looks like it is drying out. The roots are ready for harvest after three to four years of growth.
