Milk Vetch (Astragalus membranaceus)

Question 1

How do you recognise Milk Vetch ?

Answer 1

A perennial with pinnate leaves and yellowish flowers with typical pea family structure. Looks like a liquorice plant. (Pictures on the internet often show a purple flowered species).

Native to Mongolia and China. There are many species of milk vetch - so perhaps best thought of as Mongolian Milk Vetch. We have three species in the UK one of which is known as Wild Liquorice.

Question 2

What are Milk Vetch ‘s main constituents?

Answer 2

Constituents:
* Triterpenopid saponins = astragalosides – increase white blood cell count, stimulate natural killer cells.
* Flavonoids – anti-inflammatory.
* Polysaccarides – apparently immune supporting, possibly increase interferon production & increase phagocytosis, but tried in labs not human beings.
* Phytosterols – positively inotropic (increases how strongly the heart contracts), hepatoprotective

Question 3

What family is Milk Vetch in?

Answer 3

Fabaceae family

Question 4

What is Milk Vetch good for?

Answer 4

Summary: One of the most valued herbs in TCM, used to strengthen ‘Qi’ it is given for general weakness, chronic illnesses, and to increase overall vitality. Bendle uses it more as an adaptogenic/ increases resistance to stress, and boosts immunity/ antiviral and antibacterial. Good for run down, depleted folk.

Actions:
* Adaptogenic.
* General tonic.
* Antiviral.
* Immunostimulant.
* Antioxidant.
* Antineoplastic.
* Hepatoprotective.
* Neuroprotective.
* Cardiotonic (positively inotropic).
* Antihypertensive.
* Diuretic and renal trophorestorative - not something Bendle has used it for.
* Antihydrotic.

Applications:
* For people who are depleted with low immunity.
* For viral infections.
* Autoimmune conditions.
* Has been used in China in recovery from myocardial infarction.
* For problems with excess sweating.
* May be useful as part of support in cancer care.

Question 5

What is Milk Vetch’s Latin name?

Answer 5

Astragalus membranaceus

Question 6

What parts of Milk Vetch do you use?

Answer 6

Part used: roots

Question 7

What safety issues might Milk Vetch have?

Answer 7

This species is a safe herb but there are issues with other species.
Dose 20 - 50ml/week of 1:3 tincture.
Bone & Mills suggest that astragalus is contra-indicated in acute infection - perhaps when someone has an acute infection you might go more for echineacea

Question 8

What useful research does Milk Vetch have?

Answer 8

External links:
* Evaluation of the Pharmaceutical Properties and Value of Astragali Radix
* Potential benefits of incorporating Astragalus membranaceus into the diet of people undergoing disease treatment: An overview

Question 9

What remedies might you use Milk Vetch in?

Answer 9

Can be used as a tea or as a decoction and as an ingredient in nutrifying broths.

Immune support tea - Is quite sweet and sustaining, so a mix of astragulus, chamomile, tillia, and liquorice and sometimes borosma or mint too in a tea is nice and calming and immune supported.

Bendle uses it a lot with people with chronic conditions to help build them up as part of a mix in a tincture or in a tea or even a stock. You can add the roots into a broth.