Dong Quai Health Article

Description

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis), also called Chinese angelica, is a member of the Umbelliferae (Apiaceae), or carrot family. This Oriental medicinal herb is sometimes called the empress of herbs, or female ginseng.

Dong quai grows best in such damp places as moist meadows, river banks, and mountain ravines. It may be biennial or perennial. The bitter-sweet root, described by some herbalists as resembling carved ivory, is used medicinally. Dong quai, variously known as dang gui or tang kuei, produces a round, hollow, grooved stem that grows as high as 7 ft. The lower leaves are large and tri-pinnate, each further divided into two or three leaflets. The smaller upper leaves are pinnate, which means that the leaflets are arranged in opposite rows along the leaf stalk. The leaves of dong quai resemble those of carrot, celery, or parsley and emerge from dilated sheaths surrounding a bluish-colored stem that is branched at the top. Honey-scented, greenish-white flowers grow in large compound flat-topped clusters and bloom from May to August.

General use

Dong quai is one of the most extensively researched Chinese medicinal herbs. It is well known as a female remedy thought to benefit women throughout the menstrual cycle and during the transition to menopause. A recent study indicates that dong quai is a popular herbal remedy among women being treated for ovarian cancer. Dong quai has been used in China for thousands of years to treat ailments of the female reproductive system and as a tonic herb to treat fatigue, mild anemia, high blood pressure and poor circulation in both men and women. Chinese herbalists prepare dong quai in combination with other herbs, including astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) as a fatigue tonic, mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris), bai shao (white peony), chai hu (bupleurum root),and rou gui (cinnamon bark) in medicinal formulas for women. Secondary herbs are used to enhance the action of the primary ingredient or to provide additional properties that work synergistically with the primary ingredient. Research in the United States indicates that dong quai has no demonstrable estrogen-like effect on menopausal women when it is used alone. However, other research has shown that dong quai, when used in combination with other herbs, resulted in a reduction of the severity of hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia, and mood changes. Dong quai should not be regarded as a replacement for natural estrogen. Its unique mechanism of action reportedly promotes the synthesis of natural progesterone, a hormone whose production declines during menopause. Dong quai's ability to relieve menstrual problems has been attributed to its muscle-relaxing properties and its ability to quiet spasms in the internal organs. Dong quai has a tonic effect on all female reproductive organs and increases blood flow to the uterus. It acts to increase vaginal secretions and to nourish vaginal tissue. Dong quai root's analgesic properties help diminish uterine pain and have been found to be as much as 1.7 times as effective as aspirin. The herb has also been useful in the treatment of migraine headaches.

One recent Western study, however, has called into question the value of dong quai for treating menopausal symptoms. The authors of the study found that black cohosh appears to be a more effective herbal remedy for hot flashes and other symptoms associated with menopause.

Research in China indicates that dong quai stimulates production of the red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. Its sedative properties relieve emotional distress and irritability. It is used to treat mild anemia and as a liver tonic. The herb is beneficial to the endocrine and circulatory systems, promoting healthful blood circulation. Its laxative properties ease constipation, particularly in the elderly. This beneficial herb has also been proven effective against certain fungi, such as Candida albicans, the primary cause of vaginal yeast infection. Dong quai also helps to dissolve blood clots.

Dong quai contains high amounts of vitamin E, iron, cobalt, and other vitamins and minerals important to women, including niacin, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A, C, and B₁₂. The plant contains numerous

phytochemicals, including coumarins, phytosterols, polysaccharides, and flavonoids.

European angelica (A. archangelica) stimulates secretion of gastric juices and has been used to treat digestive problems, flatulence, and loss of appetite. The root of European angelica has sometimes been used in cases of prolonged labor or to treat problems with retention of the placenta after childbirth.

American angelica (A. atropurpurea) has also been used by some herbalists for menstrual complaints, though the Chinese dong quai is most often used in formulas for women.