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Botanical Name:
Astragalus membranaceus
Katira consists of dried root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.)
Bunge, Family Fabaceae
Common Name(s) in English & Indian Languages
English: Milk Vetch
Hindi: Katira
Botanical description:
Perennial herb, 25–40 cm tall. Leaves 3–6 cm long; petiole
obsolete; stipules free, cauline, green, triangular ovate,
sparingly vested on the outside with white hair. Leaflets
oblong-obovate, oval or oblong-oval. Racemes oblong-ovoid to
ovoid, 4–5cm long, 10–15 flowers; bracts lanceolate. Calyx
8–9mm long, campanulate, strongly oblique, glabrous. Corolla
yellowish, 18–20mm long. Ovary glabrous. Root cylindrical or
nearly cylindrical with small bases of lateral root
dispersed on the surface, and usually not branched; greyish
yellow to yellowish brown epidermis and fibrous fracture
Parts used:
Roots
Major chemical constituent:
Triterpene saponins (astragalosides I–X), flavonoids,
polysaccharides
Therapeutic uses:
• Enhance the immune system (Rasayana)
• Increase stamina and endurance (Balya) |
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