Description
Dong Quai (Angelica)
dang gui · (当归)
Botanical Name : Angelica sinensis
Category : Blood Tonic
Warm in nature. Sweet, pungent and bitter in taste. It enters the liver, heart and spleen meridians.
When menstrual irregularity and pale complexion persist despite iron supplements, TCM points to Blood deficiency with stasis, and Dong Quai is the herb most often turned to. Its dual action of nourishing and invigorating Blood may help regulate cycles, while pregnant women and those with heavy bleeding should avoid it.
The premier Blood tonic in Chinese medicine. Often called female ginseng. Used for menstrual issues and Blood deficiency.
TCM Properties
Unlike static Blood tonics that only replenish reserves, Dong Quai does two things at once: it nourishes Blood and invigorates its flow. This dual action separates it from heavier herbs like Prepared Rehmannia, making it better suited when Blood deficiency comes with stagnation, as in menstrual irregularity or postpartum recovery, where simply adding Blood without moving it can worsen discomfort.
What This Herb Does
Tonifies Blood
Dong quai is often called the female ginseng of Chinese medicine, and its primary strength lies in building blood. For women who experience heavy periods or paleness, it serves as the backbone of many classical blood-building formulas. What makes it different from other blood tonics is its slight warming quality, which helps circulate the blood once it is built.
Invigorates and regulates blood circulation
Most blood tonics are purely nourishing, but dong quai has a dual nature: it both builds and moves blood. This makes it particularly useful for conditions where deficiency and stagnation coexist, such as menstrual pain with clots or dry skin that also feels tight and restricted.
Regulates menstruation
In TCM gynecology, dong quai is the most frequently prescribed herb for menstrual irregularity. Its ability to both nourish blood and promote its smooth flow addresses the two most common menstrual patterns: deficiency (scanty periods) and stagnation (painful periods with clots).
Warms the channels to disperse cold
For women who experience cold hands, cold lower abdomen, and menstrual pain that improves with a heating pad, dong quai’s warm nature helps disperse the cold from the deeper channels. This is why it is often simmered with ginger and brown sugar in traditional postpartum recovery soups.
Commonly Used For
· Women with irregular or painful menstruation linked to blood deficiency
TCM Interpretation: Menstrual irregularity in TCM often stems from either insufficient blood to fill the vessel or stagnant blood blocking the flow. Dong quai addresses both simultaneously, which is why it appears in nearly every classical gynecological formula from Si Wu Tang to Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang.
Why Dong Quai (Angelica) Helps: The dual action of nourishing and moving blood makes it uniquely suited for menstrual patterns where deficiency and stagnation coexist. Its warming quality also addresses the cold-type cramping that many women experience.
· People with cold hands and feet from blood deficiency with cold signs
TCM Interpretation: When blood is deficient, the body cannot distribute warmth to the extremities effectively. Dong quai builds the blood while its warm nature helps push circulation outward to the hands and feet.
Why Dong Quai (Angelica) Helps: Unlike purely warming herbs that only stimulate circulation temporarily, dong quai first builds the blood that carries warmth, creating a more lasting improvement in cold extremities.
Which Blood Issue Needs Dong Quai?
Dong Quai’s dual action suits specific Blood patterns. Check yours first.
| If This Sounds Like You | The Signal | Start Here |
|---|---|---|
| Light, short, or delayed periods with pale complexion and dizziness | Blood deficiency without significant stasis | Add 3-5g to chicken soup after menstruation, 2-3 times per week |
| Dark clots and cramping pain that worsens with cold | Blood stasis with cold, where Dong Quai’s moving action helps | Brew with ginger and brown sugar at the start of the cycle |
| Heavy bleeding, pregnancy, or loose stools with diarrhea | Patterns where Dong Quai’s moving nature may worsen the condition | Avoid Dong Quai and consult a qualified practitioner for alternatives |
Which Body Types Benefit Most
How to Use
Simmer 5-10g in chicken soup for 2 hours. Brew with red dates as tea.
Dosage: 5-10g in food. Up to 15g for deficiency.
Preparation Notes: Because Dong Quai (Angelica) is warm, use cautiously in people who run hot. For tea, steep 5-10 minutes. For soup, simmer 30-60 minutes. Avoid overcooking as prolonged heat may reduce active compounds. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Dietary Advice
Dong quai pairs naturally with chicken in slow-cooked soup, a combination found in nearly every Chinese household during postpartum recovery. Add a few slices of ginger and a handful of red dates for a synergistic blood-building effect. Avoid taking it with strong tea or coffee, whose tannins may interfere with absorption. During menstruation, reduce the amount if flow is heavy, as its blood-moving action may increase bleeding.
Food Pairings
Cautions
- ⚠Avoid during pregnancy
- ⚠Not suitable during heavy menstrual bleeding
- ⚠May increase bleeding risk, stop before surgery
- ⚠Avoid if you have diarrhea or bloating
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dong quai good for periods?+
Can I take dong quai during pregnancy?+
Is dong quai the same as ginseng?+
