Dong Quai is traditionally a Chinese herb considered the ‘Ginseng’ for women.
It is equally well known as Angelica to the western world, a name bestowed on the herb when it was said to have been revealed in a dream by Archangel Raphael as the cure for bubonic plague.
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This herb has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years with a particular reputation for healing gynaecological disorders including menstruation difficulties, uterine bleeding and hot flashes. It has also been administered with some success in patients with cardiovascular disease, lowering blood pressure and improving peripheral blood circulation.
Dong quai is a plant belonging to the Carrot family and the medicinal herb is derived from the root of the perennial Angelica sinensis – a plant native to Japan with eight-foot hollow stems and umbrella-clusters of white flowers. Plant derivatives are used not only medicinally but also as aromatics to flavour drinks and scent perfumes.
The sweet-flavoured stems can also be eaten raw, candied, or cooked. In addition the roots can be ground and used in preparing cakes, bread and biscuits and the seeds are popularly used to flavour liqueurs such as Benedictine and Chartreuse.
Parts used
Medicinally: The roots; from the hip to the head.
Active compounds
Coumarins
Bergapten
Linalool
Borneol
Note: Although Dong quai was believed to balance the female hormonal system, some scientists suggest otherwise and consider its antispasmodic actions, which soothe muscles, to be the primary reason for its success in relieving conditions such as premenstrual syndrome.
What can Dong Quai be used for?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Dong quai is considered a uterine tonic and used to treat a variety of related conditions including menstrual cramps and irregular periods and anaemia.
Western researchers have noted an active ingredients in the herb called coumarins. These ingredients are considered responsible for dilating blood vessels, stimulating the central nervous system and increasing blood flow throughout the body as well as relaxing the uterine muscles.
Other researchers suggest that the phyto-oestrogens in the herb, which are weaker than the oestrogens produced by the body, bind to oestrogen sites on human cells, off-setting the often negative effects of a women's own oestrogen. More thorough testing is required to verify this claim.
As an antispasmodic, TCM doctors rely on Dong quai to regulate blood sugar and aid in treating hypertension. In men they believe it increases sperm count.
Today the herb is popularly prescribed to relieve the following ailments:
Fibrocystic breast disease
Menopause
Premenstrual syndrome
Asthma
Bronchitis
Menstrual difficulties
Colic
Indigestion
Inflammation
Poor circulation
Insomnia
Hypertension
Anaemia
Infertility
Uterine conditions
Dosage
Dong quai is available in the form of:
Tinctures
Tablets
Soft gels
Liquid
Tea
Capsules
In most cases women are advised to take 3-4 grams of Dong quai per day, which normally equates to two capsules three times daily for severe problems. A lower dose should be administered in less severe cases. Check the label of your chosen product, or ask a practitioner for more specific details.
Note: TCM herbalists advise that little to no fruit should be eaten while taking Dong quai. Other root teas such as ginseng should also be avoided for two to three days after taking this medication.
Further guidelines for use
For menstrual troubles, Dong quai may be combined with other herbs, such as Siberian ginseng, liquorice, and chasteberry. When attempting to regulate a menstrual period, try taking this kind of a mixture for three months and then taking a break for a month before starting again.
For PMS symptoms, confine the dose to non-menstruating days of your cycle, but when treating menstrual cramps only, initiate treatment two days before your period and continue until menstruation is complete.
For hot flashes, Dong quai needs to be taken daily for at least two months before changes can be expected.
Safety
Dong quai is generally considered to be of extremely low toxicity, but be cautious about this herb and avoid it all together if you are pregnant or lactating.
These are some of the contraindications associated with Dong quai:
May increase sensitivity to sunlight
May induce a mild laxative effect
Menstrual bleeding may increase
Herb/drub interaction
Dong quai may intensify the blood-thinning effects of the following drugs:
Aspirin
Dalteparin Sodium
Enoxaparin Sodium Injection
Warfarin
Dong quai may increase the risk of serious stomach bleeding of taken together with the following drugs:
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