2003. Awaiting revision 2007

DONG QUAI - ANGELICA SINENSIS

This herb is often referred to as Chinese Angelica or Dong Quai, pronounced 'Dong Kwy', its other common names include Dang Gui and Tang Kuei. As the Latin name suggests, this herb is related to the Angelica species which are all members of the Carrot family.

In its native country, China, Dong Quai is the next best selling herb to Licorice, where millions of women are reputed to take it every day as an invigorating and blood purifying tonic. The term 'female ginseng' is often used by herbalists when referring to Dong Quai and its tonifying properties.


WHAT IS A TONIC?
In many traditional systems of healing, such as, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), herbal tonics are considered the 'creme de la creme' of remedies and are highly sought-after.

Herbal tonics nourish cells, tissues, organs, in fact they feed and nourish the whole body. Being safe for long term use, herbal tonics focus on the vitality of an individual and are often used for supporting the nervous system, hormonal system and the immune system.

Christopher Hobbs, a well respected Herbalist, writes very highly of herbal tonics; "Tonics are very gentle and slow stimulants, and they provide nutrients that the body can use, such as vitamins, minerals and many other constituents like plant pigments, eg anthocyanins or flavonoids. Large quantities can be given without harm of overstressing cells, tissues, organs or body systems."

• Amenorrhoea (lack of menstrual flow)
• Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation)
• Infertility
• Anaemia (blood iron deficiency)

• Hot flushes (flashes)
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Menopause cramps
• Sleeplessness
• Nerve debility (panic attacks, general nervousness)
• Anaemia
• Osteoporosis

In TCM Dong Quai is, foremost, a blood tonic used to nourish the blood and invigorate the blood circulation. The associated acupuncture meridians are the Liver, Heart and Spleen.

[Next: Dosage of Dong Quai...]

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