“Dong Quai”
Nourishes the liver to build healthy blood for the reproductive system.
Tonifies. Regulates. Provides vitality.
Botanical Name: Angelica sinensis
Common name: Dong quai
Family: Apiaceae
Parts Used: Root
Active Constituents:
- Essential oil
- Phytosterols
- Ferulic acid
- Coumarins
Qualities: Sweet, bitter and warm
Actions:
- Adaptogen
- Female repro tonic
- Uterine tonic
- Blood tonic / Antianaemic
- Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet
- Antiinflammatory
- Antiarrhythmic
- Hepatoprotective
- Mild laxative
- Mildly sedative
- Cardiotonic (Purcell)
Indications:
- Irregular menstruation
- Amenorrhea
- Dysmenorrhoea
- PMS
- Infertility
- Menopausal Sx – Especially helpful in perimenopause where hormone levels are changing – Dong quad helps transition & adaptation.
- Post-partum tonic
- Congealed blood conditions ie abdominal pain, trauma, swellings, bruising
- Anaemia with dizziness and palpitations (TCM)
- Atrial fibrillation, prevention of atherosclerosis (in vivo)
- Chronic hepatitis
- Constipation
Contraindications:
First trimester of pregnancy
TCM – diarrhoea caused by weak digestion, bleeding tendency or very heavy periods associated with heat, acute viral infections
Cautions:
First trimester of pregnancy
TCM – diarrhoea caused by weak digestion, bleeding tendency or very heavy periods associated with heat, acute viral infections
Dosage:
Liquid Extract
4-8ml of 1:2 liquid extract/day
30-60ml of 1:2 liquid extract/week
Dried Plant Equivalent
4.5 – 9 g / day dried root (decoction)
Combinations:
Bupleurum chinensis + Paeonia lactiflora – premenstrual irritability and debility
Paeonia lactiflora, Rehmannia glutinosa – menstrual irregularity, with weakness, and blood deficiency
Cinnamon – menstrual pain worse for cold
Corydalis, Cramp Bark and Paeonia lactiflora – dysmenorrhea
ARTICLE & MONOGRAPH LINKS:
Bioactivities of Major Constituents Isolated from Angelica sinensis
Materia Medica 