Astragalus propinquus is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a perennial plant and it is not listed as being threatened.
A. propinquus has been asserted to be a tonic that can improve the functioning of the lungs, adrenal glands and the gastrointestinal tract, increase metabolism and sweating, promote healing, and reduce fatigue. A report in the journal Rejuvenation Research claimed an extract of Astragalus propinquus called TA-65 can activate telomerase, extending the lengths of the shortest telomeres which protect the terminal DNA at the ends of all chromosomes. The active constituents of the roots (Radix Astragali) include polysaccharides, triterpenoids (astragalosides) as well as isoflavones (including calycosin and formononetin) along with their glycosides and malonates. The active medicinal ingredient extracted from the root is formononetin.