astragalus

noun

as·​trag·​a·​lus ə-ˈstra-gə-ləs 

1

plural astragali ə-ˈstra-gə-ˌlī 

-ˌlē

: talus entry 2 sense 1

2

: the dried root of an Asian milk vetch (Astragalus membranaceus) used especially as a remedy in Chinese herbal medicine

also : a preparation or extract of this root

Examples of astragalus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This formula contains some herbal and less common ingredients like astragalus and chlorella. —Miranda Galati, Verywell Health, 3 Sep. 2024

The new species also expands the evolutionary understanding of the group of titans, after a piece of bone from the ankle, the astragalus, was discovered with a structure researchers hadn’t seen before. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024

Oral astragalus is generally safe in doses of 60 grams (g) per day for four months.21 Echinacea: This flower is native to North America. —Amanda Gardner, Health, 30 Mar. 2024

Sourced from the remains of goats, sheep and cattle, the artifacts date to the Hellenistic period—which began with the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C.E.—and were made specifically from the astragalus, a small bone located in the tarsal joint of hooved animals. —Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Aug. 2022

The Supershroom Pancakes and Waffles contain almond, cassava and coconut flours as well as four teaspoons of astragalus. —Christina Binkley, WSJ, 12 Oct. 2021

Jam Haw Herbals’ Immunity Builder, made with antiviral elderberry; stress-fighting reishi; blood-nourishing astragalus and lung-supporting thyme (a preventative potion for travel, seasonal change or a global health crisis). —Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2020

According to ancient Taoist philosophy, herbal teas and tonics containing ginger, echinacea and astragalus herbs and reishi mushrooms can boost immunity. —NBC News, 14 May 2020

And astragalus is great for immune support—experts often recommend it to folks who just can’t shake an illness or those who are fighting cancer and need to keep other illness at bay. —Brierley Horton, al, 14 Jan. 2020

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, genus including many species of milk vetch, borrowed from Greek astrágalos "neck vertebra, ball of the ankle joint, milk vetch (allegedly from the vertebrae-like appearance of the flower clusters)" — more at astragal

First Known Use

circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

astragalus

noun

as·​trag·​a·​lus ə-ˈstrag-ə-ləs 

plural astragali -ˌlī, -ˌlē 

1

: one of the proximal bones of the tarsus of the higher vertebrates see talus sense 1

2

: the dried root of an Asian herb (Astragalus membranaceus synonym A. propinquus) used especially as an herbal remedy in traditional Chinese medicine

also : a preparation or extract of this root