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.

USES OF DONG QUAI
I have already mentioned the tonifying effects of Dong Quai, this is especially true for it's actions on the female reproductive system. It's ability to regulate and normalise hormonal imbalances means that this herb can be extremely valuable in alleviating symptoms asscociated with PMT, infertilty and the menopause.

Some of the chemical components of Dong Quai include vitamin B (nictonic acid, folic acid, vitamin B12), and vitamin A.

For menstruating women, Dong Quai can help:

• PMT (Pre-menstrual tension, or pre-menstrual syndrome)
• Amenorrhoea (lack of menstrual flow),
• Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation),
• Infertility and
• Anaemia (blood iron deficiency)

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

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, 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.

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