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Have you ever heard of the so-called “female” version of ginseng? Like ginseng, Dong Quai, Angelica sinensis, is an aromatic herb that is most commonly found in Asia, specifically in countries like China, Korea, and Japan. The reputation of Dong Quai (Angelica) as a powerful herbal drink is second only to ginseng. It is considered by most as the ultimate all-purpose woman’s tonic herb.
Dong Quai (Angelica) has been used by Asians for thousands of years as a tonic. It is derived from the gnarled root of the perennial plant, Angelica sinensis which is native to China and the root of the Japanese A. acutiloba. Both of these plants have hollow stems that are about eight-feet long and graced with several clusters of white blooms, forming a shape that resembles an umbrella. The herb is sometimes called Chinese angelica, dang gui, and tang kuie. An interesting point to ponder is that the European and American species of the angelica plant (A. archangelica and A. atropurpurea) have their medicinal uses as well, but none of them are geared towards gynecology.
Dong Quai (Angelica): Common Use
The part of the Dong Quai (Angelica) which is found in tea, herbal preparations, capsules, extract and recipes is the root. Dubbed as the “ultimate herb” for women, the Dong Quai (Angelica) root is used to restore balance to a woman’s hormones and cycles. Simply put, Dong Quai (Angelica) can restore regularity in women’s menstruation and help improve the conditions of the reproductive system.
Basically, the common uses of Dong Quai (Angelica) are as follows:
* Relieve PMS and menstrual irregularities;
* Reduce the pain of endometriosis;
* Minimize menopausal symptoms;
* And nourish body fluids, counter fatigue, and lower blood pressure.
Dong Quai (Angelica): Active Ingredients
Some researchers believe that Dong Quai (Angelica) contains active ingredients known as coumarins, which makes it an effective tonic for the female reproductive system. Coumarins can dilate the blood vessels, stimulate the central nervous system, and increase the blood flow throughout the body. These ingredients in Dong Quai (Angelica) cause relaxation to the smooth muscles of the uterus, thus helping to explain the herb’s traditional use to relieve menstrual cramps.
Other herb experts content that the power of Dong Quai (Angelica) lies not in the presence of coumarins but to its high content levels of phytoestrogens. These are ingredients that are similar to estrogens, only weaker. Because they are similar to the human estrogens, phytoestrogens are attracted to estrogen sites on human cells and act on them. This contention led to the belief that Dong Quai (Angelica) has potential benefits to fight the negative effects brought by a woman’s own estrogens, such as breast cancer risk.
Dong Quai (Angelica): Possible Side Effects and Cautions
Dong Quai (Angelica) is a mild laxative so check with your doctor before taking it if you have diarrhea. Similarly, the blood-thinning properties of Dong Quai (Angelica) may cause menstrual bleeding to increase. Don’t take this herb if you’re pregnant or nursing. Dong Quai (Angelica) contains a fair amount of substances called psoralens that reacts with sunlight and causes skin rash or severe sunburn. If you’re fair-skinned and you’re taking this herb, limit your exposure to the sun.
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