Synonyms--- Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge var. mongholicus (Bunge)P.K.Hsiao, Astragalus propinquus Schischkin var. glabra Vydr., Phaca membranacea Fisch., Huang Qi (Yellow Leader) Astragaloside IV （Astragaloside A, Astragaloside IV, Astramembrannin I, Cyclosiversioside F） Chemical Name: beta-D-Glucopyranoside, (3beta, 6alpha, 16beta, 24R)-20, 24-epoxy-16, 25-dihydroxy-3-(beta-D-xylopyranosyloxy)-9, 19-cyclolanostan-6-yl Molecular Formula: C41H68O14 Mol. Wt.: 784.98 Molecular Structure: Astragalus membranaceus (syn. Astragalus propinquus) also known as huáng qí (yellow leader) (simplified Chinese: 黄芪; traditional Chinese: 黃芪) or běi qí (traditional Chinese: 北芪), huáng hua huáng qí (Chinese: 黄花黄耆), is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a perennial plant and it is not listed as being threatened. Astragalus membranaceus is used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is used to speed healing and treat diabetes. It was first mentioned in the 2,000-year-old classic herbal reference, Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. It’s Chinese name, huang-qi, means “yellow leader” because it is a superior tonic to invigorate vital energy (qi). Astragalus is also a staple of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of common cold symptoms as well as raise white blood cell counts. In western herbal medicine, Astragalus is primarily considered a tonic for enhancing metabolism and digestion and is consumed as a tea or soup made from the (usually dried) roots of the plant, often in combination with other medicinal herbs. It is also traditionally used to strengthen the immune system and in the healing of wounds and injuries. Extracts of Astragalus membranaceus are used in Australia as part of a commercially available pharmaceutical MC-S to stimulate production of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Astragalus membranaceus has been asserted to be a tonic that can improve the functioning of the lungs, adrenal glands and the gastrointestinal tract, increase metabolism, sweating, promote healing and reduce fatigue. There is a report in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology that Astragalus membranaceus can show "immunomodulating and immunorestorative effects." It has been shown to increase the production of interferon and to activate immune cells such as macrophages. Astragalus membranaceus contains active ingredients such as Polysaccharides; Saponins: astraglosides I, II, and IV, isoastragalosde I, 3-o-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-cycloastragnol, etc.; Triterpene glycosides: brachyosides A, B, and C, and cyclocephaloside II, astrachrysoside A; Sterols: daucosterol and beta-sitosterol; Fatty acids; Isoflavonoid compounds: strasieversianin XV (II), 7,2’-dihydroxy-3’,4’-dimethoxy-isoflavane-7-o-beta-D-glucoside (III), and etc. The Astragalus Root Extract used in dietary supplements is derived from the roots of the plant Astragalus membranaceus.