2020 Herbal Medicines Chinese Angelica Regulates Menstruation Relieves Pain

Generic name

Angelica sinensis/ Chinese Angelica/ Dong Quai

Latin Pharmaceutical Name

Angelicae Sinensis Radix

Function and indications

Supplements the blood, invigorates the blood, regulates menstruation, relieves pain, moistens the intestines, frees the stool. Apply to chlorosis due to hemopenia, vertigo and palpitation, irregular menstrual periods, amenorrhea and painful menstruation, deficiency cold abdominalgia, constipation induced by dryness of the intestine, rheumatic arthralgia, injuries from falls, superficial infection and burns and scalds.

Possibly Effective for

Menopausal symptoms. Various combination products that contain dong quai seem to reduce menopausal symptoms. Taking a specific product containing dong quai and chamomile (Climex) seems to reduce hot flushes in menopausal women. Taking a specific product containing American ginseng, black cohosh, dong quai, milk thistle, red clover, and vitex agnus-castus (Phyto-Female complex) seems to reduce hot flushes and night sweats and improve sleep quality in pre- and post-menopausal women. Taking a product containing burdock root, licorice root, motherwort, dong quai, and Mexican wild yam root seems to reduce menopausal symptoms as well. However, some evidence suggests that taking dong quai alone does to improve symptoms of menopause.

Insufficient Evidence for

Heart disease. Some early research shows that a natural medicine containing dong quai and other herbs given by injection might reduce chest pain, and improve heart function in people with heart disease.

High blood pressure in arteries carrying blood from the heart to the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). Some early research shows that dong quai given by injection might reduce blood pressure and improve blood flow in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and pulmonary hypertension.

Menopausal symptoms. Some early research shows that taking dong quai does not reduce hot flashes.

Stroke. Some rarly research shows that dong quai given by injection for 20 days does not improve brain function in people who had a stroke.

Allergies.

Anemia.

Constipation.

Early orgasm in men (premature ejaculation).

High blood pressure.

Joint aches and pains.

Migraine headache.

Painful menstrual periods.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Problems during pregnancy..

Skin discoloration and psoriasis.

Ulcers.

Other conditions.

Side Effects & Safety

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking dong quai by mouth during pregnancy or when breast-feeding is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for the baby. Dong quai seems to affect the muscles of the uterus. There is one report of a baby born with birth defects to a mother who took a product containing dong quai and other herbs during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Do not use dong quai if you are pregnant.
There is one report of a breast-fed baby who developed high blood pressure after his mother ate soup containing dong quai. Stay on the safe side and don't use it if you are breast-feeding.
Bleeding disorders. Dong quai might slow blood clotting and increase the chance of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Dong quai might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by estrogen, don't use dong quai.
Protein S deficiency: People with protein S deficiency have an increased risk of blood clots. Dong quai might increase the risk of blood clots in people with protein S deficiency. Don't use dong quai if you have protein S deficiency.
Surgery: Dong quai might slow blood clotting. It might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking dong quai at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place, protected from moisture and moth.