Medicinal Plants in the Northwestern China and Their Medicinal Uses

The Northwestern China is a typical arid and semi-arid region of inner Asia, where some important medicinal species such as Angelica sinensis, Radix astragali, Radix codonopsis, Radix et rhizoma rhei, Radix glycyrrhizae, Lycium barbarum L are found and grew in the mountains areas, or desert areas. Among them, A. sinensis, R. astragali and R. glycyrrhizae are frequently used in traditional Chinese medicines and herbal prescriptions, thus encouraged many researchers to investigate and develop them. Our purpose is to provide a review of recent advances about three typical medicinal plants of A. sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus and R. glycyrrhizae in Northwestern China, mainly referring to botanical identity, chemical constituents, pharmacological studies, application in formulation, safety and cultivation practices. That will provide some valuable information for the further study and development of medicinal plants in Northwestern China.