Dong Quai Root – Benefits and Uses

Dong quai root (angelica sinensis) belongs to the Apiaceae Umbelliferae botanical family.  Dong quai is a fragrant perennial plant, growing up to 2 meters or 6 feet tall, with large green leaves, hollow stems and clusters of white flowers. It is native to south-western China and Japan, where it is now cultivated extensively.

Similar plants are often used in place of Angelica sinensis, including Angelica acutiloba (Siebold & Zucc.); Kitag (Korean or Japanese dong Chinese quai); Ligusticum glaucescens Franch (wild chin quai); and Levisticum angelica officinale Koch (European dong quai). While these plants do possess therapeutically useful qualities, they are considered by most to be inferior to Angelica sinensis.

Parts Used

Dong quai root, with its distinctive aromatic odor and bitter-sweet/pungent taste, is the part used medicinally. The larger roots are more prized than the smaller ones. As a general rule, the larger the root, the sweeter the taste and the better the quality.

Traditional Use

Dong quai is arguably one of the oldest and most established therapeutic agents used within the Traditional Chinese Medicine healing model. It is considered to be a tonic that can strengthen and invigorate the whole individual or specific organ groups. While dong quai exerts its tonifying action on many areas of the body, it is classically considered to be one of the major ‘blood’ tonics often used to ‘build the blood’. Even though it has numerous applications, it was considered to be of particular importance in the management of ‘female’ conditions, such as menopause and dysmenorrhoea. It is in the realm of women’s health care that most people will encounter the use of dong quai within the Western world.

Another member of the same genus, Angelica archangelica L. (Angelica), shares some of the same constituents and actions as dong quai, but it is used primarily as a digestive tonic, especially in cases of dyspepsia and flatulence. Angelica archangelica L. is also used extensively in the liquor industry, where it is used as a flavouring in liqueurs such as benedictine and chartreuse.

Current Medicinal Use

Until more conclusive scientific research has been conducted, it is best to use dong quai as it is intended to be used within a Traditional Chinese Medicine paradigm. In the hands of an appropriately trained practitioner, dong quai may be useful in the management of menstrual and menopause conditions, as well as some cardiovascular conditions.

Medicinal Forms

Dong quai can be ingested in various ways: the fresh root may be either steamed or fried in vinegar, used as dong quai tea, or the dried root can be taken as a soup.