Dong Quai

Angelica sinensis

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Apiaceae, or the parsley family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• Commercial supplies of Dong Quai come from cultivated sources in China. Although the highest quality and the largest quantity of cultivated Dong Quai reportedly comes from Gansu province, it is also grown in the provinces of Guizhou, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Root ^[1]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Alterative
• Antispasmodic
• Uterine tonic
• Emmenagogue ^[1]
5. Body System Indications:
• Menopause - Phytoestrogen formula
• Pelvic tonic - Fibroids, menorrhagia, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea
• Cardiovascular - Moves stagnation and detoxifies liver and blood
• Inflammation
• Supports bone growth
• Antiplatelet activity ^[1]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Feruic acid, succinic acid, uracil adenine, Biotin, B12, Vitamin E ^[1]
7. Energetics:
• Sweet, acrid, bitter, warming. ^{[1, 2]}
8. Safety & Interactions:
• Inhibition of platelet aggregation may lead to heavy bleeding, use caution in those with clotting disorders, low platelets, or anyone on anticoagulant medications. ^[1]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• The root is light brown, appearing like broken little sticks. No particular smell – maybe a little sweet?
2. Preparation Method:
• Decoction: 1 tsp of dry herb to 1 cup of water, boil and drink 3x/day.
• Tincture: (1:4 in 70%) 1 – 3 mL 3x/day. ^[1]
3. Usage Notes:
• I made a decoction. It has an interesting smell – spicy like rolling tobacco. The taste is very different, sweet and a little bitterness. It gave me a tingly tongue. I felt energized by this herb.  

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2019). Week 6 Study Questions. Bastyr University: WI-19_MW5125-A Botanicals 5: Holistic Gynecologic Health
2. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.