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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web 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 Polysaccharides found in both reishi and astragalus may support adaptive immunity (long-term immune health). Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2019 The combination of elderflower, milk thistle, nettle and astragalus is said to lessen the symptoms of altitude sickness. Christopher Elliott, The Seattle Times, 26 May 2017 The combination of elderflower, milk thistle, nettle and astragalus is said to lessen the symptoms of altitude sickness. Christopher Elliott, The Seattle Times, 26 May 2017 The combination of elderflower, milk thistle, nettle and astragalus is said to lessen the symptoms of altitude sickness. Christopher Elliott, The Seattle Times, 26 May 2017 The combination of elderflower, milk thistle, nettle and astragalus is said to lessen the symptoms of altitude sickness. Christopher Elliott, The Seattle Times, 26 May 2017 See More
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 Polysaccharides found in both reishi and astragalus may support adaptive immunity (long-term immune health). Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2019 The combination of elderflower, milk thistle, nettle and astragalus is said to lessen the symptoms of altitude sickness. Christopher Elliott, The Seattle Times, 26 May 2017 The combination of elderflower, milk thistle, nettle and astragalus is said to lessen the symptoms of altitude sickness. Christopher Elliott, The Seattle Times, 26 May 2017 The combination of elderflower, milk thistle, nettle and astragalus is said to lessen the symptoms of altitude sickness. Christopher Elliott, The Seattle Times, 26 May 2017 The combination of elderflower, milk thistle, nettle and astragalus is said to lessen the symptoms of altitude sickness. Christopher Elliott, The Seattle Times, 26 May 2017 See More 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