DONG QUAI

(tang kwei, Dong kwei, Dang quai)—(Angelica sinensis)

Dong quai is best known as women’s ginseng and highly valued by ancient herbalists due to its extraordinary effects on female reproductive health issues. 

    
   

Part used: root

Properties: Diuretic, antispasmodic, anodyne, uterine alternative.

What it affect: Blood, uterus, and muscles.

Preparation and amount:

Take 4-7 grams, several times a day.

Purposes:                                

Internally, Dong quai is useful for almost every female gynecological problem. It is especially useful for menstrual cramps, irregularly, delayed flow  and weakness during the menstrual period. It helps relieve the symptoms of menopause. It is useful in treating hot flashes, premenstrual syndrome, and vaginal dryness. It strengthens the reproductive system and helps the body use hormones.

Dong quai is useful for treating insomnia, and cramps. It nourishes the blood, helps treat  anemia, and is a valuable blood purifier. It acts a mild sedative, laxative, diuretic: and it relieves spasm and pain. It is warning to the circulation and is used to moisten the intestines and thus treat constipation.

It has a lot of names, such as angelica sinensis, Chinese angelica, dang gui or tang kuei and so on. 

Warning: It should not be used during pregnancy or with excessive menstrual flow.

Plant description:

Dong quai grows at high altitudes in the cold, damp, mountains of China, Korea, and Japan. This fragrant, perennial plant -- a member of the celery family -- has smooth purplish stems and bears umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers and winged fruits in July and August. The yellowish-brown thick-branched roots of the dong quai plant have several medicinal uses. It takes 3 years for the plant to reach maturity, after which the root is harvested and formulated into tablets, powders, and other medicinal forms.