Estrogenic extracts of Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. Bge. Var. mongolicus Bge. of the Leguminosae Family are provided. Also provided are methods of using said extracts to achieve an estrogenic effect, especially in a human, e.g. a female human. In some embodiments, the methods include treatment of climacteric symptoms. In some embodiments, the methods include treatment of estrogen receptor positive cancer, such as estrogen responsive breast cancer. In some embodiments, the methods include treatment or prevention of osteoporosis.