Is Astragalus membranaceus poisonous?

Types of Astragalus

There are two types of sweet vetch: non-toxic and poisonous. Non-toxic sweet vetch can be cooked and eaten, either stir-fried or made into soup; poisonous sweet vetch can cause poisoning in various livestock, especially horses. Generally speaking, local livestock are able to distinguish between the two, but may eat them if they are too hungry. If consumed in large quantities, it will cause acute poisoning, while if consumed in small quantities for a long time, it will cause chronic poisoning.

Overview of Toxic Milkvetch

According to the Chinese Plant Atlas Database, Chinese milk vetch is a poisonous plant, and the poisonous parts are all the parts above the grass. Using the stems and leaves of Chinese milk vetch to feed livestock or grazing in areas where Chinese milk vetch is widespread may cause Chinese milk vetch poisoning.

Symptoms of Milkvetch Poisoning

Acute poisoning can cause death after a few days, while chronic poisoning can cause death after a few months. The poisoned livestock will become listless, have no appetite, and feel weak all over until their limbs become paralyzed and they cannot stand, or they will run wildly until their limbs become paralyzed, and eventually they will die. Cattle poisoned by Astragalus membranaceus often become manic and restless, and cows may suffer miscarriages. For sheep, the teeth become black and loose. In addition, if livestock eat moldy whole grass, they will develop "wobble disease", the symptoms of which are hemorrhagic anemia and often death in the end.

Prevention and treatment of astragalus poisoning

Remove the seeds when they are immature, two or three times a year. Horses poisoned by astragalus need to take arsenite solution, and cattle poisoned by astragalus need to be injected with arsenic nitrate once a day for three days.