What Is an Astragal?

Scutellaria baicalensis (scientific name: Astragalus propinquus Schischkin) is a family of leguminous scutellaria. Herbs perennial, 50-100 cm tall. Main roots are thick, woody, often branched, off-white. Stems erect, branched upper, thinly ribbed, white pilose. The pinnate compound leaves have 13-27 leaflets, 5-10 cm long. Racemes slightly dense, with 10-20 flowers; total pedicels and leaves are nearly as long or longer, and significantly elongated to fruit. Pods are membranous, slightly swollen, semi-elliptic, with necks extending beyond the urn; 3-8 seeds. Flowering from June to August, fruiting from July to September. ^[1]

It grows in temperate and warm temperate regions of China. It enjoys sunshine, cool climate, and is resistant to drought and waterlogging. It has strong cold resistance ability and grows mostly on the sunny slopes and forest margins, thickets, forest grasslands, under sparse forests and meadows in the middle and lower slopes. Above ground is not cold-resistant, most of the leaves have fallen off during the frost season. In winter, the above ground dies, and new seedlings are issued from perennial root in Hunchun. The temperature of seed germination is relatively low, and the average temperature of 8 can meet the temperature requirements for sowing. ^[4]

Distributed in Russia and China; in Northeast China, North China, and Northwest China (Gansu, Sichuan, Tibet, etc.), many of them are cultivated throughout China. ^[1]

Scutellaria baicalensis is used for its roots and has a long history of medicinal use. China's earliest "Shen Nong's Compendium of Materia Medica" listed Huang Huang as "top grade." "Song of Medicine" said: "Scutellaria baicalensis is a strong agent, which has the effects of strengthening righteousness, strengthening the spleen and stomach, removing pus and analgesic, and promoting blood circulation. It has the functions of spontaneous perspiration, qi deficiency and internal injury, debilitating, weak limbs, and spleen deficiency. , Deficiency and sweating, prolapse of qi deficiency, prolapse, edema and gangrene have significant effects. " Ancient medicine books such as "Famous Doctors' Records" and "Compendium of Materia Medica" all consider it beneficial for qi tonication. ^[5]

Pharmacological research found that Scutellaria baicalensis contains choline, coumarin, folic acid, amino acids, betaine, saponin, sugars, proteins, riboflavin, flavan compounds, iron, calcium, phosphorus and selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, etc. A variety of trace free. Sweet, mild temperature, with Qi-solidifying, diuretic, cardiotonic, antihypertensive, antibacterial, detoxification, purulent, myogenic, strengthening capillary resistance, antiperspirant and sex hormone-like effects , Qi deficiency and internal injuries, spleen deficiency and diarrhea, edema and gangrene. Scutellaria baicalensis can prevent the decrease of liver sugar, has a protective effect on the liver, and can promote the increase of white blood cells in human blood. It can resist the reduction of human white blood cells caused by chemicals, radiation or other reasons, and significantly improve the mononuclear macrophage system and white blood cells. Phagocytosis. However, the most important thing of Huanghuang is Buzhong Yiqi, diuresis and swelling, which is most suitable for puffiness and swelling. ^[5]