Dong quai

Dong quai

Latin Name: Angelica sinensis
Family: Apiaceae

Part used: Root.
Energetics: Sweet, bitter, spicy, warming.
Iris: Hematogenic
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

Safe alongside Herb

Enalapril

Unsure alongside Herb

Esomeprazole

Avoid alongside Herb

Warfarin

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

  • Pregnancy (estrogenic)
  • Hormone-sensitive cancers
  • It may also increase the effects of other medications, especially anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs.

ACTIONS

  • Blood tonic
  • Antitumor
  • Analgesic
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Alterative
  • Digestive
  • Uterine antispasmodic
  • Immune-modulator
  • Hormone-regulator
  • Hematopoietic (assists formation of all blood cells)
  • Neuroprotective
  • Anti-platelet
  • Prostatic tonic
  • Emmenagogue
  • Oestrogenic
  • Anti-diabetic
  • Anti-anaemic
  • Anti-allergic
  • Anti-cholesterolaemic
  • Sedative
  • Sialagogue.

Main Constituents

  • Volatile oils (carvacrol, safrol, isosafrol)
  • Phytosterols- sitosterol
  • Polyacetylenes
  • Polyphenols
  • Coumarins
  • Polysaccharides
  • Sequiterpenes
  • Ferulic acid
  • Myristic acid
  • Succinic acid
  • Rich in vitamins A, B-3, C, E
  • Iron
  • Magnesium and other minerals.

Main Uses

Women's gynaecological tonic
Digestive System: Constipation, Protects digestive tract with a mucous layer
External Use: Toxic Shock Syndrome
Circulatory: High blood pressure, Anaemia, High blood sugar, Poor circulation, Raynaud's disease, Heart disease, Reduces dangerous cholesterol levels, Reduces triglycerides
Mental/Emotional: Exhaustion
Nervous system: Headache, Insomnia
Endocrine System: Amenorrhoea/ Dysmenorrhoea, Painful or prolonged menstruation, Endometriosis, Unpleasant symptoms associated with menopause
Reproductive System: Infertility, Prostate disorders

Infections:
Viruses: Herpes zoster
Bacteria: Tuberculosis

More About Dong Quai

The plant sterols in dong quai root exert estrogenic effects that help to offset menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, anxiety, depression and menstrual irregularities. It can help to ease the pain of endometriosis, heavy cramping ‘clotty’ periods and even the contractions of childbirth.
Combined with Paeonia, Dong quai can help with heavy, painful periods.
According to the National Institute of Health, topical preparations of the root may also benefit men suffering from premature ejaculation.
It has a distinctive aniseed/liquorice smell that is popular in potpourris, incense, bath products, perfumes, soaps and candles.
Bak Foong Pills, a combination Chinese herbal formula that contains dong quai and other herbs such as Panax ginseng and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, have been found to have a neuroprotective action, suggesting these herbs may have a use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, as well as a calming effect in cases of insomnia.
Rich in the nutrient Cobalt, this is thought to promote the production of haemoglobin, which is used to carry oxygen around the body to essential organs and muscles. Dong quai is known as a blood tonic to enrich the blood. It can help to regulate the heart, decrease blood pressure, help in cases of angina, Raynaud’s, palpitations, arrhythmias and cramp.
Dong quai is a warming digestive and can increase appetite and saliva production and move the bowels.

Recipes:


Dong Quai Almond Butter Cups

Ingredients:

  • Approx. 472g of dairy-free dark chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons raw honey
  • 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
  • Approx. 78g of creamy organic almond butter
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground dong quai powder

Tip: When using dong quai in recipes, it is best to purchase the dried root and grind it into a fine powder using a spice or coffee grinder for the highest potency. Use a grinder that is designated to only spices to keep coffee grounds from mixing in.
How To Make:
Line 6 muffin tins with muffin cases. Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in a double boiler over medium-low heat, about 10 minutes. Once smooth, stir in honey. Spoon heaping tablespoons of chocolate into muffin tins and freeze for 5 minutes to slightly firm.
While chocolate chills, stir together dong quai powder and almond butter in a small bowl.
Spoon 1 teaspoon of almond butter onto each chocolate layer. Add a second heaping tablespoon of chocolate over each almond butter layer. Transfer to freezer for 1 hour. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

References


Ischemic Stroke

Overview of therapeutic potentiality of Angelica sinensis for ischemic stroke
A. sinensis extracts and active compounds, such as Z-ligustilide, 3-n-Butylphthalide, and ferulic acid have significant effects of anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-atherosclerosis, protection of vessels, which contributes to improvement of neurological function on ischemic stroke.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34362631/

Hot Flushes/Menopausal Night Sweats

Phyto-Female Complex for the relief of hot flushes, night sweats and quality of sleep: randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study
Phyto-Female Complex is safe and effective for the relief of hot flushes and sleep disturbances in pre- and postmenopausal women, at least for 3 months' use. To determine the efficacy and safety of the herbal formula Phyto-Female Complex (SupHerb, Netanya, Israel; ingredients: standardized extracts of black cohosh, dong quai, milk thistle, red clover, American ginseng, chaste-tree berry).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17454163/

Chronic Cardiotoxicity Prevention

Angelica sinensis: a novel adjunct to prevent doxorubicin-induced chronic cardiotoxicity
These results suggested that A. sinensis elicited a typical cardioprotective effect on doxorubicin-related oxidative stress, and could be a novel adjunct in the combination with doxorubicin chemotherapy.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17971065/

Peri/Post-menopausal Symptoms

Use of dong quai (Angelica sinensis) to treat peri- or postmenopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer: is it appropriate?
The present study provides data regarding the estrogen-like activity of dong quai, which might assist in decision making on herbal therapy use by women at risk for both estrogen-sensitive and insensitive breast cancer.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16278617/

Acute Coronary Syndrome

The efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines on acute coronary syndrome with renal insufficiency after percutaneous coronary intervention
Chinese herbal medicines plus western medicine standard therapy improved clinical outcomes in patients with ACS and mild-to-moderate renal insufficiency. Additionally, this study also demonstrated Chinese herbal medicines were useful in deferring decline of renal function.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31689480/

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