Angelica quai

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What does Dong Quai do?

Dong Quai is a Chinese Herb that is utilized when a patient has been diagnosed with blood deficiency or blood deficiency with chronic wind-damp painful obstruction. It works by strengthening, stimulating and harmonizing the blood. Some symptoms that can be associated with blood deficiency are: menstrual disorders, abdominal pain or discomfort, pallid skin, tinnitus, blurred vision, and palpitations. As Dong Quai can both stimulates and relax uterine muscles it is commonly prescribed to treat menstrual disorders s.c. as irregular menstruation, painful menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and PMS. It is also frequently used to treat abdominal pain, traumatic injuries, blocked bowels, sores and abscesses. It has demonstrated anti-hypertensive, anti- atherosclerosis, and sedative qualities in animal studies. It may increase liver oxygen consumption. In-vitro it has been shown to have inhibitory effects on certain bacteria including but not limited to: Streptococcus and Shigella. Combined with other Chinese medicinal herbs it has been used as a treatment for post-partum abdominal pain, hernia pain, constipation, abscesses, burns and other surface sores.

Should my health care professional be advised before I take Dong Quai?

It is always good to keep your health care practitioner updated on medications, herbals, supplements or other therapies you may be participating in. They should be consulted first if you have any of these conditions: If you are suffering from diarrhea or abdominal distention . If you are currently taking medications or other treatments. A tendency towards allergic reactions to other medicines, herbs, foods, dyes, or preservatives.

Are there other times my health care professional needs to be advised before I take Dong Quai?

They should be consulted first if you are: Pregnant or trying to get pregnant (As Dong Quai effects uterine muscles it potentially could be a risk - though it is not known as an emmenagogue do not take this herb without the knowledge and consent of your health care professional.) Breast-feeding. If you plan to administer this herb to a child.

When is Dong Quai usage contraindicated?

If you have been diagnosed with a yin deficiency combined with heat signs (such as fever, thirst, sweats, etc) If you are undergoing solarium or ultra-violet treatments (may be photosensitizing).

How should I take this herb?

Dong Quai can be taken as a tea, tincture, capsules, or extract. However the raw, fresh herb is usually recommended. There are recipes that fry the herb in vinegar or wine as that is supposed to increase its ability to stimulate the blood. Other recipes toast the herb until it is ash, this then is thought to stop bleeding and warm channels. Part of the plant utilized: root.

What should the dosage be?

Dosages are usually based on the individual, severity of the symptoms and the type of problem. See a Dr. of Chinese Medicine for more information. Generally, 3-15 grams. Note: It is generally thought that the dried herb should be avoided as the oils of the herb are substantially reduced or eliminated in this format. It is believed that the oils are required for some of its medicinal effects. A good quality root should be aromatic, large, long with few rootlets, moist, and having a white to yellowish cortex.

What other medicines may interact with Dong Quai?

Unknown

What side effects may I notice from taking Dong Qui?

If you experience any uncomfortable side effects, stop usage immediately and report them to your health care professional. Photo-allergic reactions

What do I need to watch out for with Dong Qui?

Do not use a root that is greenish - brown in its center. It should be noted that this root is classified into three sections, each with specific functions. Usually the entire root is prescribed however since it is not always the case , the following lists the qualities attributed to each part: Caput Radicis (Dang Gui Tou) The "head" or topmost p.r. of the root Most tonifing Least stimulating to blood movement Corpus Radicis (Dang Gui Shen) The "body" of the root More tonifying than invigorating Extremitas Radicis (Dang Gui Wei) The "foot" of the root or the end Least tonifying Most stimulating to blood movement As with western medicinal herbs, care should be taken with purchasing. Incorrectly labeled products and/or the presence of contaminants, adulterations, or substitutions have all been reported in conjunction with herbal products. There are reports of Dong Quai having been substituted with other varieties of Angelica . There are many species of Angelica but they may not all have the same therapeutic qualities. Care should be taken therefor when purchasing that you attain the herb you specify. The following is a list of a few Angelica species. Name Primary Location Name Primary Location Angelica Archangelia. Syria, Baltic Sea - grows throughout Europe and Asia Angelica Sinensis / Dong Quai, China Angelica Pubescens Maxim. / Duo Hou China Angelica Atropurpurea America Angelica Sylvestris, Europe    

Where can I store this herb?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30°C (59 and 86°F) unless otherwise specified. If purchasing a pre-prepared product (capsules, etc) look at the expiration date, throw away the unused portion after the date has expired. Raw herbs, tinctures, ointments, etc all have varying life spans. Generally, an herbal product will have the longest life span when it has been extracted in alcohol. It should be noted however that though it can make certain herbs more bioavailable, extraction in alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of others.

Can you tell me a little more about Dong Quai?

Angelica Sinensis (Oliv,) is of the family Apiaceae and is indigenous to China. Dong Quai is commonly known as a women's herb due to its use in regulating the menses and stimulating and relaxing the uterus. The source of it's first reference is thought to be the "Divine Husbandman's Classic of the Materia Medica" (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing) of the late Han period. It is often combined with other herbs in medicinal formulas. In Chinese medicine it is considered bitter, acrid and warm. It usually harvested either in late fall of it's second year of growth.

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