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What is Dong quai? Dong quai is a medicinal root used in Traditionial Chinese Medicine claimed to have many health benefits for women having gynocological problems. ....(more)

Dong quai Preparation Dong quai is extracted from the roots of Angelica Sinensis prepared as a root tonic, powdered, or wine form...(more)

Scientific Name: Angelica Sinensis

Popular Names: Angelica, Dong-Quei, Dong-Quai, Tang-Kuei or Dang-Qui, Dong Quai in China.

Other Names: Angelica China, Angelica sinensis, Angelica polymorpha var. sinensis, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Angélique Chinoise, Angélique de Chine, Chinese Angelica, Dang Gui, Danggui, Danguia, Don Quai, Ferulic Acid, Kinesisk Kvan, Ligustilides, Radix Angelicae Gigantis, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Tang Kuei, Tan Kue Bai Zhi, Tanggwi, Toki.

Parts Used: Roots, only the hips of the root, up to the head are used.

Dong quai (Angelica Sinensis) is a perennial aromatic plant, of the family Umbelliferae. Native to China, Korea and Japan. Dong quai can be found on high altitude, cool and damp mountainous areas. Dong quai grows to an average height of 1 meter and about 80 centimeter by width. Dong quai has smooth, round, hollow fluted, tinged with blue or purpulish stem that is branched near the top terminated with umbrella-shaped clusters of greenish-white flowers and winged fruits. Dong quai is highly prized for its yellowish-brown thick-branched roots that has several medicinal uses and health benefits.

Dong quai takes 3 years to reach maturity for the roots to be harvested for medicinal preparation. Dong quai roots are dried then either used as it is, powdered, made into Dong quai tincture, Dong quai wine or into capsules and tablets.

Alpha-pinene, Aluminum, Arachidonic-acid, Ascorbic-acid, Ash, Bergapten, Beta-carotene, Beta-sitosterol, Beta-sitosterol-glucoside, Biotin, Cadinene, Calcium, Carbohydrates, Carvacrol, Choline, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, EO, Falcarindiol, Falcarinol, Falcarinone, Ferulic-acid, Folacin, Folinic-acid, Fructose, Glucose, Iron, Isosafrole, Ligustilide, Linoleic-acid, Magnesium, Manganese, Myristic-acid, N-butylidenphthalide, N-butylphthalide, N-dodecanol, N-valero-phenone-o-carbonic-acid, N-valerophenone-o-carboxylic-acid, Nico-tinamide, Nicotinic-acid, Oleic-acid, P-cymene, Palmitic-acid, Pantothenic- acid, Phosphorus, Phthalides, Potassium, Protein, Riboflavin, Safrole, Scopoletin, Sedanoic-acid, Selenium, Sesquiterpene, Silicon, Sodium, Stearic-acid, Thiamin, Tin Umbelliferone, Vanilic-acid, Vit-B12, Vit-E, Zinc

Dong quai is commercially available in a variety of forms (e.g., capsules, tablets, tinctures) via the Internet, natural food stores, drug stores, chemical companies, and other retail stores. It is available solely and in a mixture with other herbs, vitamins, and minerals. Dong quai is marketed in the United States as a dietary supplement.

Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine as a general health tonic for women. Dong quai is a widely used in Chinese Medicine secondary only to ginseng. It is in fact alternately called “female ginseng”. Dong quai has been traditionally used for the following health benefits:

Female gynecological related problems that includes Infertility, painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea), pelvic pain, recovery from childbirth, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), vaginal dryness, mood swings and hot flashes.

Dong quai is also claimed to have health benefits for cardio vascular conditions such as high blood pressure, blood clotting prevention and other blood circulatory problems.

Dong quai is also believed to benefit overall organ functions through increased blood flow that result to increased energy and strength. Dong quai can also relieve body pains including headache, migraine, joint pains and even blurred or impaired vision and tinnitus.

Other claimed health benefits for Dong quai include treatment for ulcers, constipation, anemia and skin allergies.

Dong quai has potential Protective Activity against the Bone Marrow and Gastro intestinal toxicity.

In as study published in International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2006, entitled “Polysaccharides from the root of Angelica sinensis protect bone marrow and gastrointestinal tissues against the cytotoxicity of cyclophosphamide in mice” reported that the polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis has a cytoprotective activity to spare the hemopoietic and gastrointestinal toxicities from Cyclophosphamide which is a cytostatic agent that produces systemic toxicity especially on cells with high proliferative capacity.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1332197/

Oil from Dong Quai inhibits angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

In a study published in the Journal of Angiogenesis Research, 2011, entitled “The natural compound n-butylidenephthalide derived from the volatile oil of Radix Angelica sinensis inhibits angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo” showed that volatile oil of Radix Angelica sinensis exerted anti-angiogenic effects by inhibiting human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation, migration and capillary-like tube formation in vivo and in vitro.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21327473

Many health food and nutrition stores also sell dong quai in a tablet or capsule form, which simplifies the consumption process.

Dong quai is also available in online health stores and in amazon such as the Nature's Way Dong Quai Root, 565mg, 100 Capsules

Dong quai promotes bleeding. Dong quai may cause excessive bleeding as side effect.

Dong aui may also have allergic side effects such as itching, rash, swelling for sensitive people.

Dong quai can also cause diarrhea, stomach cramps and abdominal bloating.

Dong quai may contain estrogen-like compounds and should not be taken by pregnant or breast feeding women, children, or people with breast cancer.

People taking blood thinners (anticoagulants) such as warfarin should not use Dong quai.

Dong quai can cause photosensitivity, so people should limit sun exposure and wear sunblock.