What kind of astragalus is better to buy

When choosing Astragalus membranaceus, it is best to choose those with thick and long strips, yellow and white cross-sections, sufficient powder, and sweet taste. High quality Astragalus membranaceus mainly includes authentic varieties such as North Astragalus membranaceus from Inner Mongolia, Longxi Astragalus membranaceus from Gansu, and Hunyuan Astragalus membranaceus from Shanxi.

1. Appearance Features

High quality Astragalus root strips are thick and straight, with a length of over 30 centimeters and a diameter of over 1 centimeter. The epidermis is light brownish yellow with fine longitudinal wrinkles, and the texture is solid and not easy to break. The cross-section is chrysanthemum shaped, with a yellow white outer layer and a light yellow center, with obvious radial texture. Poor quality Astragalus membranaceus has thin, short, and curved root strips, with blackened or hollow sections.

2. Odor and Taste

Authentic Astragalus membranaceus has a slight bean like odor, with a slightly sweet taste followed by a slightly bitter taste. It has a residue sensation but no fiber roughness when chewed. Sulfur smoked inferior Astragalus membranaceus has a pungent sour taste, and stained Astragalus membranaceus will fade when licked. Wild Astragalus membranaceus has a stronger sweetness, while cultivated varieties have a relatively lighter medicinal taste.

III. Origin Traceability

Beiqi produced in Wuchuan, Inner Mongolia has a dense texture and high content of active ingredient Huangqi IV glycoside. The Huangqi strip in Longxi, Gansu has a smooth skin and a prominent feature of golden well and jade railing in the transverse section. Shanxi Hengshan Hunyuan Huangqi has a cultivation history of 1500 years and is listed as a national geographical indication product. You can check the origin information on the packaging when purchasing.

4. Processing Method

Traditional manual slicing of Astragalus membranaceus preserves intact active ingredients, while machine cutting of decoction pieces can easily lead to ingredient loss. Dried Astragalus membranaceus has a natural color, but excessive drying can cause blackening and carbonization. Sulfur fumigated Astragalus membranaceus has a bright color but is harmful to health, while naturally dried Astragalus membranaceus has a darker color but higher safety.

V. classification

Special grade Astragalus membranaceus has a diameter of 1.5 centimeters or more, with no branches or scars. First grade products are allowed to have a small amount of lateral roots but no mold, while second grade products may have small branches. Most substandard products are in broken pieces or contain impurities. The pharmacopoeia stipulates that the moisture content of Astragalus membranaceus should not exceed 13% and the ash content should not exceed 5%.

When making daily purchases, priority should be given to products with organic certification or GAP planting base logo to avoid purchasing loose and unpackaged Huangqi. When storing, it should be placed in a cool and dry place, and attention should be paid to moisture and insect prevention. It is recommended to purchase from a regular pharmacy or medical institution, and consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner for diagnosis and treatment before taking. Although Huangqi is a good medicine for replenishing qi, it is not suitable for people with yin deficiency and excessive fire, as well as those with colds and fever. Pregnant women and children should follow medical advice to take it.