Dong Quai
Parts Usually Used
Roots
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
There are many varieties of wild angelicas growing in the mountains throughout North America. One of these, A. brewerii, found in the California Sierras, is a promising substitute for dong quai. The common garden angelica (A. archangelica) has the emmenagogue blood-moving properties of dong quai, but lacks the degree of sweetness necessary for tonics as dong quai has. The stubby whitish-gray roots are usually from 2-4 inches long and have a very distinctive pungent odor.
Medicinal Properties
Blood tonic, emmenagogue, sedative, analgesic, laxative, tonic, diaphoretic, antispasmodic
Biochemical Information
3% essential oil, safrol, sesquierpenes, 40% sucrose, and vitamins A, B12, and E.
Legends, Myths and Stories
The power to prolong life is among the virtues Orientals attribute to ginseng root. Although ginseng may be taken by both men and women, Chinese healers regard it primarily as a “man’s herb” whereas the female equivalent of ginseng is a root called dong quai. The best quality of Chinese dong quai root has a strong pungent aroma and taste. Korean dong quai is very mild and can be taken more often during the day.
Only the hips of the root, up to the head, are in general use. The upper half is considered a great blood builder. The tails of the root are used under the direction of Chinese herbalists for emergency purposes only, to dissolve blood clots resulting from serious accidents and for expelling afterbirth that is difficult to deliver. Dong quai has been used in China for ages. The Chinese claim it has remarkable powers for nourishing female glands, rebuilding blood, and helping to delay the symptoms of old age in women.
One of the most widely used herbs in the Orient, dong quai duck is a popular Cantonese dish.
Uses
Historically referred to as "female ginseng," dong quai was widely employed by traditional herbalists for a variety of gynecological conditions. Practitioners recommended it to address menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, as well as premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and the resumption of normal menstruation following the cessation of oral contraceptives.
Herbal traditions held that it influenced ovarian and testicular hormones, regulated menses, and served as a general tonic for female complaints. Beyond gynecological applications, folk practitioners utilized dong quai as a blood tonic for both women and men. It was historically administered to support blood circulation, alleviate pain from physical injuries, and address issues attributed to blood weakness, including blurred vision, palpitations, and tinnitus.
Additionally, traditional systems prescribed the root for high blood pressure, anemia, constipation associated with bowel dryness, colds, arthritis, and rheumatic pain.
How Sold
Available in most health food stores and herb shops. Roots
Warning
Avoid use during pregnancy and if there is bloating, abdominal congestion and conditions caused by wasting. If menses is a heavy flow, avoid dong quai. Avoid if hypertensive.
Bibliography
, Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , Copyright 1988, published 1992 Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements , by James F. D. and Phyllis A. , Garden City Park, NY The Magic of Herbs in Daily Living , by Richard Lucas, Parker Publishing Co. (1988). , West Nyack, NY, 1987.
The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine , by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988. , Special Sale Catalog, 1996