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Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) — Chinese Angelica, Female Ginseng
Materia Medica
Dong quai is a perennial herb of the Apiaceae family native to the mountainous regions of China. The root has been used for more than two thousand years in traditional Chinese medicine as a primary blood tonic and for conditions associated with blood deficiency, particularly in women's health. It appears in the Shennong Bencao Jing and remains one of the most frequently prescribed herbs in Chinese gynecological formulas. Western herbal literature of the twentieth century popularized it under the name female ginseng because of its prominence in formulas for menstrual and reproductive support.
Actions & Energetics
Warm, sweet, and pungent in traditional Chinese classification. Regarded as a blood tonic that both nourishes and gently moves the blood. Traditional actions include uterine tonic, mild antispasmodic, and circulatory support. Classical texts describe its use to regulate menstruation, ease dysmenorrhea, and support recovery after blood loss or childbirth. Modern research has focused on the phthalides and ferulic acid for antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory activity.
Botanical Description
A perennial with large, finely divided leaves and umbels of small white flowers. The root is the medicinal part and is harvested after the plant has matured, typically after two to three years of growth. Commercial material is cultivated primarily in China and processed by drying; traditional methods sometimes distinguish the head, body, and tail of the root for different applications. The dried root has a characteristic aromatic, slightly sweet odor.
Traditional Indications
Primary traditional Chinese indications include menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and postpartum recovery. Classically described as tonifying and moving the blood. Used extensively in multi-herb formulas for gynecological conditions, blood deficiency patterns, and pain. Modern Western herbal literature often highlights it as a women's tonic. The root appears in classical Chinese pharmacopoeias and remains a foundational herb in traditional Chinese gynecology.
Preparations & Dosage
Decoction of the dried root: traditionally 3–15 g daily. Tincture or liquid extract is used in contemporary practice. Classically combined with other herbs in formulas rather than used as a single herb for most indications. Traditional Chinese practice sometimes differentiates the head, body, and tail of the root for slightly different energetic applications, though most modern preparations use the whole root. Modest culinary use of the root appears in some regional Chinese cooking.
Constituents
Phthalides (notably Z-ligustilide), ferulic acid, polysaccharides, and volatile oils. Z-ligustilide and ferulic acid are the compounds most often associated with the traditional blood-moving and antispasmodic effects. Polysaccharides have been studied for immune-modulating and hematopoietic activity. Content of key constituents varies with cultivation, harvest timing, and processing methods.
Modern Research
Preclinical studies support antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and hematopoietic effects of extracts and isolated phthalides. Clinical trials of dong quai as a single herb for menopausal hot flashes have produced mixed results. Traditional use in multi-herb formulas for menstrual and blood-related conditions is extensively documented across Chinese materia medica sources. The plant remains one of the most researched Chinese herbs for women's health in both laboratory and clinical literature.
History, Folklore & Spiritual Use
Known in Chinese as Dang Gui, a name sometimes interpreted as referring to its traditional role in restoring normalcy. Western literature of the twentieth century called it female ginseng because of its prominence in women's health formulas. Cultivated for centuries in China, it remains a foundational herb in traditional Chinese gynecology and is widely available as a dietary supplement outside Asia.
Summary
Dong quai is a Chinese perennial whose root has been a primary blood tonic and women's health herb in traditional Chinese medicine for more than two millennia. Its distinctive aromatic root, extensive classical formula use, and modern research on phthalides and ferulic acid support its place as one of the most recognizable botanicals in the Chinese materia medica. Educational information only.