The Dong Quai is considered in traditional Chinese medicine, the most important female tonic. It has been used in Asia for millennia for the treatment of gynecological symptoms and problems:
- Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
- Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation )
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Irregularity of the menstrual cycle
- Menopausal disorders (caldane)
- Spasms of smooth muscles
Botany and meaning of the name “angelica”
It is part of the Umbelliferae, so called because of its umbrella shape . There are more than 50 types scattered around the world and all havebeneficial properties. Hence the name “angelica” given by the ancients precisely because of its numerous “angelic” properties.
Properties and benefits of Angelica Sinensis or DongQuai
- toned
- emmenagogue
- sedative
- analgesic
- laxative
- carminative
- antispasmodic
The diseases in which it may be useful: ( Chinese medicine)
- Menopause:
Chinese tradition suggests DongQuai to relieve hot flashes and sweating associated with menopause . In reality this plant can be used at any stage of life as a tonic to safeguard gynecological health and The angelica sisnensis has the property of rebalancing the female hormonal balance in general and hence the benefits to all gynecological symptoms are explained in part. - Menstrual pain:
The Angelica Senensis plays a role in regulating the female hormonal cycles with positive effects particularly evident in cases of dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) and cycles The DongQuai is able to relieve menstrual pain, because it contains substances that act anti-spasmodic , reducing uterine contractions that originate the pain menstruation . - Premenstrual Syndrome:
Its effectiveness in the case of premenstrual syndromeis justified by the aforementioned with daily intake in the 3 weeks preceding the cycle - Male and female fertility:
The DongQuai contains the acid ferulic acid , which is a powerful antioxidant that can improve properties of sperm ( both in quantity and in quality)
It ‘just as useful to the women, according to a study daily intake promotes conception and decreases the frequency of abortions. - Arthritis:
The action against arthritis is justified by the presence of coumarins, considered also useful for the reduction of edema and swollen lymph nodes ( lymphedema ).
Other uses of Chinese Angelica
The angelica plant also has a sedative type of power, which is why traditional Chinese medicine uses it to treat people at the limit of neurasthenia, and also to treat allergies and all their annoying symptoms.
Native Americans used the root, leaves and seeds as a general tonic, and also against chronic diseases ( including cancer)
Angelica Sinensis side effects and contraindications:
Pharmacopoeia does not recommend taking it during pregnancy or breastfeeding. (increases the risk of miscarriage in case of pregnancy).
It also has anti-platelet aggregation properties, in fact it is an anticoagulant.
Dong Quai where do you buy?
You can find the dong quai in the pharmacy or herbal medicine in the form of either tincture or capsules with dried extracts. The cost is not high, and most of the products are of good quality.
Angelica Sinensis , for its usefulness as a tonic during menopause, is also used in some weight control supplements, such as the lipothin Controlof which you can read the review here.
Conclusions:
A plant certainly useful for multiple uses. It would be desirable for a greater number of studies to be conducted on its incredible benefits, which are mostly drawn from the Chinese tradition and therefore largely never verified experimentally.
