Astragalus membranaceus

Astragalus membranaceus is a perennial, which is flowering from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees, lepidoptera. A graceful, flowing plant with long stems bearing paired, pointed leaves and purple flowers, the astragalus is harvested for its roots that are white when dug out of the ground but become yellow as they are dried. Astragalus membranaceus increases the activity and the number of immune cells, boosts the response of interferon against viruses, bacteria and parasites, heightens the phagocytic activities of monocytes and macrophages, which engulfs microbes to destroy them.