- Family: Apiaceae (Parsley Family)
- Description: Dong Quai is a perennial, small-sized plant that grows up to three feet in height. It is found in the high-altitude regions of Japan and China. It grows best in damp and cold areas and produces small clusters of white flowers.
- Parts Used: Root
- Energetics: Pungent, Sweet, Bitter, moist, warm, and downward-moving
Dong Quai Extract (Angelica Sinensis), also known as Chinese Angelica has been in existence for more than hundreds of years. It has been a crucial part of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean medicine and is used for the primary treatment of women’s health conditions.
This plant is called “female ginseng” because of its use in gynecological disorders (such as painful menstruation or pelvic pain), recovery or congenital disabilities, and fatigue/low energy. It has also been utilized for the invigoration of Xue (which is inaccurately translated as “blood”) for cardiovascular conditions/hypertension, inflammation, headaches, infections, and nerve pain.
In the late 1800s, Dong Quai Extract, called Eumenol, was popularized in Europe as a treatment for gynecological ailments. In recent days, interest in Dong Quai has reappeared due to the proposal of weak estrogen-like properties. However, it remains unclear whether Dong Quai produces the same effects of estrogens in the body, blocks their activity, or has no significant hormonal effects. Further research is needed in this area before reaching a firm conclusion.
In Chinese medicine, Dong Quai Extract is used most often in combination with other herbs and used as a component of formulas for liver deficiency, and spleen deficiency balance. It is believed to have a better effect in patients with a yin profile and is considered a mild-warming herb.
The Dong Quai returns the body to the correct order by invigorating the blood and harmonizing the vital energies. The name Dong Quai is translated as “return to order” by the supposed restorative properties that it possesses.
Main Applications
- For symptoms and premenstrual disorders such as headaches, painful contractions of the uterus, and mood changes.
- Menopause, climacteric
- Uterine contractions, and excessive bleeding in menstruation.
- Hormone Balance: Dong Quai is widely used in the US given its ability to balance the hormonal balance, due to the phytoestrogens present in it.
DONG QUAI COMPOUND
Dong Quai can be potentiated in combination with other herbs, and this presentation (Zodiak Blue) includes the following:
- Grass of San Juan.
- Artemis
- Salvia
- Nettle
The therapeutic properties of Dong Quai have added the herbs mentioned above, all adjuvant in the treatment of these ailments and hormonal imbalances. Apart from its medicinal properties, Dong Quai seems to have other interesting applications, such as the use that is also given in cosmetics. It seems that Dong Quai avoids the dryness of the skin of the face, and being equally useful for hair and nails.
Men have also found, in Dong Quai, an application for the problem that affects a large part of the male population. Dong Quai is used as one of the ingredients that are part of the preparation that serves to prevent premature ejaculation, applied to the skin of the penis.
It is suggested that Dong Quai may act like estrogen, so if you have any condition that may get worse due to the presence of estrogens, such as different types of cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids, it is recommended to dispense with this herb.
For people with protein deficiency, there may be problems with the formation of blood clots, since Dong Quai possesses some of the effects of estrogen. In this case, as a precaution, it is recommended not to use the herb. For the same reason, delaying coagulation is not recommended after a surgical operation, since there is a risk of increased risk of bleeding. At least two weeks should be allowed.
Side effects, warnings, and precautions to be taken with Dong Quai Extract
Although there are not enough studies to determine with certainty the consequences of dong quai, it is considered unsafe to take it during pregnancy and lactation. It seems that dong Quai affects the muscles of the uterus.
