Dong quai, Angelica sinensis, also known as Chinese angelica, is a potent herb used to treat female imbalances and disorders. It contains many phytochemicals and nutrients. Angelica should not be used in pregnancy except under the advice of a professional.
Properties
Dong quai is a perennial that grows at high altitudes in China, Korea, and Japan. It has fragrant white flowers and bears fruits, but it is the roots of the plant, gathered at maturity
in three years, that contain therapeutic ingredients. Dong quai is rarely used alone as a remedy because it can cause stomach upset. Most often it is added to comfrey, licorice, and ginseng to prevent gastric distress and because those herbs contain hormonal precursors that strengthen dong quai's effect on the female reproductive system.
Over a dozen phytochemicals make up the active ingredients of dong quai roots, including alpha-pinene, bergapten, beta carotene, beta-sistosterol, carvacrol, falcarinol, ferulic acid, ligustilide, myristic acid, p-dymene, scopoletin, umbelliferone, and vanillic acid.
Dong quai is a mild sedative, laxative, diuretic, antispasmodic, and pain reliever. It is used as a tonic for the blood because it is a rich source of calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc and vitamins B1, B2, B5 and C.
Angelica, the Woman's Friend
Dong quai can be taken daily for two weeks beginning two weeks after the start of the menstrual cycle. When dong quai use is stopped, the menses will start and in two weeks dong quai use can be started again. This regimen treats discomforts associated with premenstrual syndrome, and is used to increase fertility. Premenopausal women may take dong quai in this way if they are troubled by irregular periods. As stated previously, it is best to take dong quai in combination with other herbs, such as those available in commercial preparations or under the advice of an herbalist, midwife, or naturopath.
Menopausal women will appreciate relief from hot flashes and vaginal dryness provided by dong quai, although studies have found that black cohosh may be a more effective treatment for menopausal symptoms.
Angelica herb is considered too strong for its effect on the uterus to be safe during pregnancy, except under the care and advice of a midwife or doctor. However, midwives do turn to Dong Quai for help when a placenta is slow to deliver. A dose of tincture under the new mother's tongue is generally effective within five minutes.
There have been reports of allergic reactions in women who are sensitive to the phytochemicals in Angelica, with symptoms ranging from heart palpitations and increased blood pressure to difficulty breathing.
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