Dong Quai Angelica Sinensis Chinese Medicine for Women

Dong quai is also called the “female ginseng” and it is excellent as an all purpose women’s herb as its benefit are the most flagrant when women are using it.
Of course, men can also use it to improve fertility and last longer when having sex, but still, women will take a better advantage of this Chinese roots.

Dong quai is an aromatic herb that grows in China, Korea, and Japan. The reputation of Dong quai is second only to Ginseng and is considered the ultimate, all-purpose woman’s tonic herb. It is used for almost every gynecological complaint from regulating the menstrual cycle to treating menopausal symptoms caused by hormonal changes.
The root has earned a reputation as the ultimate herb for women’s condition over the centuries, and it is used to restore balance to a woman’s hormones and cycles and is helpful in restoring menstrual regularity and for conditions of the reproductive system. It is not recommended during pregnancy, for women with excessive menstrual flow or for people taking blood thinning agents.
The herb is frequently used by the Chinese as a strengthening treatment for the heart, spleen, liver and kidneys. Both men and women use the herb as a general blood tonic.

Dong quai parts used: whole root. Angelica Sinensis is found in tea, herbal preparations, capsules, extract and recipes, but the best is to boil fresh roots yourself to get the best benefits.

This female ginseng has been used for centuries in China to regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce menstrual pain and cramping. It helps women regain normal menstrual cycles after taking birth control pill, and it has also proven helpful to relieve hot flashes during menopause of older women. Dong quai can be used for insomnia and blood pressure stability for both men and women, it can reduce PMS and may help anemia, suppressed menstrual flow, uterine bleeding, abdominal pain after childbirth, dry intestines, chronic pelvic disorders and constipation or headaches due to blood deficiency. Dong quai roots help the liver utilize more oxygen and therefore can be useful in treating hepatitis and cirrhosis. It may also help with abnormal protein metabolism. Dong quai helps dilate peripheral blood vessels, increase blood circulation, and they are also used as a mild laxative.
Angelica herb used in the treatment of female problems such as hot flashes, menopause, PMS, and vaginal dryness is really efficient, and it also increases the effect of ovarian/testicular hormones.

Functions and clinical use of Dong quai:
The root is also called dang gui and is valuable in anemia and menstrual pain, or as a general tonic after childbirth. It clears liver stagnation (of both energy and toxins) and can relieve constipation, especially in the elderly.
This herb tonifies the Blood and regulates the menses and it can be used for deficient blood patterns with such symptoms as a pale ashen face, tinnitus, blurred vision, and palpitations but also for Deficient Blood patterns with menstrual problems such as irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and other women’s conditions.
Dong quai invigorates and harmonizes the blood, so Dong quai is an important herb used to stop pain from congealed blood. Commonly used for abdominal pain, traumatic injuries, and carbuncles from congealed blood. Used also in the treatment of deficient blood with chronic wind damp painful obstruction. Drinking Dong quai also moistens the intestines and moves stool so it is advised to use it for dry intestines from deficient blood.
Angelica Sinensis contains vitamins E, A and B12 and researchers have isolated at least six coumarin derivatives that exert antispasmodic and vasodilatory effects. Antispasmodics are a remedy for menstrual cramps. The essential oil in dong quai contains ligustilide, butylphthalide and numerous other minor components as ferulic acid and various polysaccharides, and all these elements can prevent spasms, reduce blood clotting and relax peripheral blood vessels. Research has shown that dong quai produces a balancing effect on estrogen activity.
Modern treatments prescribe the herb to combat PMS and to help women resume normal menstruation after using birth control pills for years.
The herb has been found useful in balancing and treating many female systems and cycles. Its constituents can act to stimulate the central nervous system which can remedy weakness and headaches associated with menstrual disorders. It strengthens internal reproductive organs, helps with endometriosis and internal bleeding or bruising. It relieves menopausal conditions such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes.
The plant has also been used as a blood purifier, to promote blood circulation and nourish the blood in both sexes. It is high in iron content and may help to prevent iron deficiency and anemia. Studies show that Dong quai can be helpful in regulating blood sugar and in lowering blood pressure.
Angelica Sinensis has a mild sedative effect which can relieve stress and calms the nerves. It has also be used to stimulate the uterus during childbirth, treat insomnia, alleviate constipation and for migraine headaches.

Cautions and contraindications:
Use cautiously in diarrhea or cases of abdominal distension due to Damp Obstruction.
Avoid the sun when drinking Dong quai roots.

More information about Dong quai:
Botanical name: Angelica sinensis.
Pharmaceutical name: Radix Angelicae Sinensis
Properties: sweet, acrid, bitter, warm.
Channels entered: Heart, Liver, Spleen

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