Angelica sinensis

Common Name: Dong quai

Family: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae (Parsley family)

Parts used: Root

Constituents: Furanocoumarins (ligustilide), polysaccharides, ferulic acid

Taste/smell: Sweet, bitter, slightly pungent

Tendencies: Warming, moistening, stimulating, invigorating, nourishing

Actions

• Uterine tonic

• Warming female tonic

• Enriches the blood and promotes blood circulation

• Regulates and normalizes menstruation and the menstrual cycle

• Mild laxative

• Diuretic

• Sedative

• Hepatoprotective

• Anti-inflammatory

• Analgesic

• Antibacterial

• Hypotensive by being a calcium channel blocker

• Antispasmodic

• Cardiac Tonic

• Anti-arrhythmic

• Antiplatelet/Anti-thrombotic

• Gastric Stimulatory

• Immunomodulator

• Anti-cancer

• Neuroprotective

Uses

Uterine Tonic:

• PMS (cramping)

• Dysmenorrhea

• Amenorrhea

• Uterine bleeding due to stagnation

• Chronic pelvic infections

• Endometriosis

• Hyper- or hypo-estrogen conditions

• Menopausal symptoms

• Infertility (females)

• Leiomyomata (uterine fibroids)

• Pelvic congestion syndrome

• Threatened miscarriage

• Premature labor

Blood Circulator:

• Tonifies and harmonizes the blood

• Headaches due to blood deficiency

• Anemia

• Ischemic brain injury

Antispasmodic:

• Arthritis

• Sciatica

• Chronic bronchitis

• Coughing

• Wheezing

Cardiac Tonic:

• Strengthens heart contractility

• Decreases the heart rate (pulse)

• Acts as an anti-arrhythmic

• Dilates coronary blood vessels

• Increases coronary blood flow

• Dilates peripheral blood vessels

• Corrects experimental atrial fibrillation induced by atropine, pituitrin, strophanthin, acetylcholine, or electrical stimulation

Antiplatelet/Anti-thrombotic:

• Thrombosis

• Vasculitis

Mental Picture and Specifics

• Dong quai is beneficial for gynecological complaints with spasms and pain, chills, dryness of skin, constipation due to dryness, and uterine or ovarian masses. It is also indicated for congestion in the pelvic region.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy due to its emmenagogue effects

• Menorrhagia

• Bleeding diathesis due to its antiplatelet properties

• GERD due to its gastric-stimulating effects

• Diarrhea

• Acute viral infections

• Individuals with hot constitutions

Adverse Effects

• None known

Toxicity

• Very safe

Interactions

• Use with caution with anticoagulant drugs as it may potentiate drugs like coumadin (warfarin)

• The furocoumarins may sensitive the skin to the sun and increase the chance of sunburn