Dong quai (Angelica sinensis), also called Chinese angelica and tang kuei, has long been used in Oriental cultures as both a culinary and a medicinal herb. Native to Japan, China and Korea, this fragrant member of the celery plant family (Apiaceae) features thick, yellow-brown roots that can be harvested and formed into powders, capsules and tablets. The dong quai herb offers a variety of health benefits.
Female Health
Dong quai is often referred to as the "female ginseng" because it has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat a myriad of female health problems. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) reports that dong quai might contain compounds that help relax and stimulate the muscles of the uterus, dilate blood vessels and help alleviate pain. This means dong quai may help treat the symptoms of dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation, and the cramps associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Regular doses of dong quai might also help make irregular menstrual cycles become more consistent and trigger menstrual cycles in the cases of amenorrhea, or the lack of menstruation. According to the Mayo Clinic, dong quai appears to contain phytoestrogens, or chemicals that have weak estrogen-like effects on the female body. This could help relieve menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, vaginal dryness and insomnia. However, medical scientists state that lab research cannot tell if dong quai actually acts like an estrogen, blocks estrogen activity or has no effect at all on the hormone.
Cardiovascular Problems
Practitioners of TCM also believe that dong quai contains stimulating, purifying and blood strengthening properties, and have traditionally used dong quai for treating cardiovascular conditions. Taking doses of dong quai might help to reduce both blood pressure and blood sugar levels. The Mayo Clinic adds that dong quai has long been thought to nourish the blood and harmonize the vital energy in the human body. In fact, the herb earned the name "dong quai", which means "return to order," because ancient medical practitioners thought the herb had amazing restorative properties. According to Drugs.com, dong quai also contains anticoagulant properties and should not be consumed if you are also taking warfarin or heparin medications.
Other Benefits
Drugs.com reports that dong quai contains compounds that make this herb an effective treatment for inflammation. Traditional Chinese Medicine proponents have a history of using dong quai to treat rheumatoid arthritis. TCM practitioners also use the dong quai herb to treat spleen, kidney and liver problems. The chemical compounds found in dong quai might also make this herb a good choice for a natural anti-allergy or anti-asthmatic medication. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, research indicates that dong quai might be useful in helping to treat cancerous tumors.
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