Other Common Names for Dong Quai: Chinese angelica, female ginseng, dang gui (Chinese), toki (Japanese) and tanggwi (Korean).

Habitat: Dong quai is found in mainland China, Japan and Korea.

Description: Dong quai is a member of the Umbelliferae family and is a fragrant perennial herb which can grow up to 2 metres tall, and produces white flowers in early summer. Dong quai is typically found growing in damp mountain ravines, meadows, river banks, and near the sea. It is considered in traditional Chinese medicine to have a warm nature and a sweet, acrid, and bitter taste. The main traditional use of dong quai is to regulate the female reproductive organs. The root is one ingredient of "four things soup", a traditionally used woman's tonic in China.

Plant Parts Used: Root. Powdered /dried root/root slices, fluid extracts, tinctures, decoctions and dried leaf preparations are available to be taken by mouth. Topical preparations can also be used. The key components of dong quai are n-butylidenephalide, ligustilide, n-butylphthalide, ferulic acid, nicotinic acid and succinic acid. There are also significant amounts of vitamin A, carotenoids, vitamins B12, Vitamin E, ascorbic acid, folinic acid, biotin, various phytosterols, calcium and magnesium.

Dong Quai Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims

* Chinese herbalists have used dong quai for thousands of years to strengthen heart, lung and liver meridians.

* It is the one of the most popular plants in Chinese medicine and is considered to be a women's herb, thus the name ?female ginseng?.

* Based on traditional use it is thought to be useful for pre menstrual syndrome (PMS) specifically lack of bleeding, painful periods and menstrual migraine.

* Dong Quai has also been used traditionally for recovery from childbirth or illness, and fatigue and low vitality.

* Dong quai is thought to contain natural hormones (oestrogens) and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes.

* Dong quai in combination with other herbs thought to be of benefit for women's health are commonly used for menopause and problematic periods.

* It is suggested that dong quai may be useful for er herbs thought to be of benefit for women's health are commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

* There is some research on the use of dong quai for nerve pain.

Potential Side Effects of Dong Quai

Dong quai has been associated with stomach upsets, nausea and vomiting with prolonged use. People with a known allergy to the Umbelliferae family (e.g. anise, caraway, celery, dill) should avoid dong quai. Dong quai may cause skin rashes Dong quai contains a group of compounds called psoralens which can increase sensitivity in the sun. Dong quai contains osthole and ferulic acid which may inhibit platelet aggregation and thus should not be taken with anticoagulants and drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Pregnant and breast feeding women should not take dong quai.