DONG QUAI
Botanical name: Angelica sinensis
Part used: Root (whole root, root head, root body, root tail)
MAJOR CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Important compounds in dong quai include alkylphthalides present in the essential oil fractions of the plant and ferulic acid. The plant also contains additional essential oils, amino acids, lipids, aromatic compounds, polysaccharides, monoterpenes, and diterpenes. Vitamins A, B1, B12, E, biotin, and nicotinic acid, as well as a number of trace minerals, are found in the root.
PRINCIPAL GYNECOLOGIC AND OBSTETRIC USES
TRADITIONAL AND HISTORICAL USES
Dong quai is one of the oldest and most respected herbs in the Chinese pharmacopoeia, used since at least the first century to “nourish the blood and qi” and restore a state of well-being. Although not used exclusively for gynecologic complaints, its popularity as a woman’s herb in the Western world stems from its traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) uses for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, other menstrual irregularities, and uterine complaints. Traditionally, the herb is not used alone, but in combination formulae specific to various conditions. In addition to the aforementioned indications, it was used in pregnancy formulae to “quiet the fetus” in cases of threatened miscarriage, and in the postnatal period in soups to strengthen the blood and restore strength; however, in the West it is typically contraindicated during pregnancy (see Use in Pregnancy and Lactation).
CLINICAL INDICATIONS
Dong quai is a popular herb in contemporary western herbal medicine used in the treatment of a variety of gynecologic complaints, particularly for menstrual irregularities and endometriosis. Herbalists consider dong quai a “uterine tonic” based on its traditional uses and also on in vivo and in vitro animal studies demonstrating
both stimulating and relaxing activity on uterine tissue. Its reported efficacy in the treatment of dysmenorrhea and endometriosis most likely lies in its effects as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and analgesic. It is also thought to improve blood flow generally, specifically in the pelvis; thus it is used to relieve pelvic congestion syndrome and associated pelvic pain and uterine fibroids, which some herbalists consider associated with pelvic congestion and poor uterine circulation. Although it is sometimes touted as an herb for perimenopausal symptoms, alone it is traditionally considered a “heating” herb, which would actually exacerbate symptoms such as night sweats, hot flashes, irritability, and insomnia. However, in TCM these symptoms are also associated with yin and blood deficiency; thus in appropriately combined formulas, it can be used for the treatment of perimenopausal complaints.
