ENGLISH NAME: Astragalus
LATIN NAME: Astragalus
membranaceus
LOCAL NAMES:
Turkey: Geven Otu
Czechia: Kozinec blanitý
Bulgaria: Астрагал (Astragal)
Georgia: ასტრაგალუსი (Astragalusi)
COUNTRY: Turkey,
Bulgaria, Czechia, Georgia
WHERE TO FIND IT:
Region: Mount Ida and
mountainous zones across Eurasia
Elevation: 200–2,700 meters
Terrain: Dry hillsides,
forest edges, bushlands, and mountain meadows
DESCRIPTION:
Astragalus is a perennial legume known for its medicinal roots and
thorny, herbaceous form. Plant height ranges from 5 to 100 cm, depending on the
species and altitude. Its oppositely arranged elliptical leaves and small
yellow, pink, white, or light yellow flowers appear in late spring. It
grows best in arid to semi-moist environments and rocky soils.
USABLE PARTS: Leaf and root
MEDICINAL
PROPERTIES:
Widely recognized in Traditional Chinese and Turkish medicine,
astragalus is used for:
Strengthening the
immune system
Supporting heart
and kidney health
Managing chronic
fatigue syndrome
Alleviating asthma,
gastric ulcers, and chronic infections
UNDESIRED EFFECTS:
Should not be used with anticoagulant medications (blood thinners), as
it may increase bleeding risk.
COMBINING WITH
OTHER MEDICINES:
Commonly used with ginseng or licorice root in traditional formulations. Avoid
concurrent use with immunosuppressants.
PREPARATION:
Tea: The roots are boiled
in water and then strained.
Ointment: Can be made by mixing
root powder with honey for topical use on wounds or ulcers.
HARVEST TIME:
Late May to early June, when the plant is mature and rich in active
compounds.
HARVEST METHOD:
A trench 10–15 cm
deep is dug around the plant to access the stem-root junction.
Special
astragalus knives are used to cut the plant obliquely.
The exuded resin
(tragacanth) darkens and solidifies, then is collected after 21 days.
The cutting
process may be repeated every 2–3 days to maximize yield.
CONSERVATION
(STORAGE):
Dry in shaded,
ventilated areas or ovens not exceeding 40°C.
Stems should be green,
bitter, and odorless when dried.
Ideal moisture
content: 12%.
Store in bales
or airtight containers away from light and humidity.