A Detailed Guide to the Benefits, Effects, Culinary Uses and Contraindications of Angelica Sinensis (Dong Quai)

Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) is also known as Gan Gui, Qin Na, Xi Dang Gui, Min Dang Gui, Jin Dang Gui, Dang Gui Shen, Han Gui Wei, Dang Gui Qu and Tu Dang Gui. It is a perennial herb. Its root can be used as medicine and is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicines. So what exactly are the benefits, effects, culinary uses and contraindications of Dong Quai?

I. Benefits and Effects of Dong Quai

1. Nourishes and Enriches the Blood

Dong Quai is hailed as the “number one blood-nourishing medicine”. It is suitable for people with blood deficiency who have sallow or pale complexions, pale lips, dizziness, vertigo and insomnia, especially postpartum women and women during their menstrual period.

2. Invigorates Blood and Regulates Menstruation

Dong Quai has the effect of invigorating blood and relieving pain, and of unblocking and regulating menstruation. Dong Quai also enjoys the reputation of being the “miracle medicine for gynecology”, and is especially suitable for women with dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation or early periods. Dong Quai contains large amounts of vitamins, organic acids, volatile oils and many other organic components and trace elements. It can dilate peripheral blood vessels, reduce vascular resistance and increase blood circulation.

3. Anti-Aging

Research shows that Dong Quai can effectively inhibit the formation of melanin that causes freckles, dark spots and age spots. In addition, Dong Quai also has a role in treating Alzheimer's disease.

4. Boosts Immunity

Substances contained in Dong Quai, such as sodium ferulate, play a major role in improving, regulating and restoring immunity.

II. Culinary Uses of Dong Quai

1. Dong Quai and Daylily Soup: Ingredients: 15 g Dong Quai, 20 g daylily, 150 g lean meat.

Method: First cut the Dong Quai into thin slices, the daylily into sections and the lean meat into slices. Put them together in a pot, add an appropriate amount of clear water and simmer into a soup. Eat the meat and drink the soup.

Pharmacology: Dong Quai nourishes and enriches the blood, daylily tonifies deficiency, treats damage and harmonizes the blood vessels, and lean meat supplements qi and nourishes the blood. This formula is suitable for amenorrhea with abdominal pain, physical weakness, anemia, neurasthenia, qi deficiency with fatigue, dizziness and vertigo, declining memory, poor appetite and irregular menstruation caused by blood deficiency after childbirth or after illness.

2. Dong Quai Blood-Nourishing Congee: Ingredients: 30 g astragalus root, 10 g Dong Quai, 100 g japonica rice or glutinous rice, an appropriate amount of brown sugar.

Method: Slice the astragalus root and decoct it together with the Dong Quai. Take the liquid and discard the residue. Then put it into a clay pot together with the washed japonica rice, add an appropriate amount of water and cook together into congee. Add brown sugar to season.

Usage: Divide into 2 servings and take warm.

Effects: Supplements qi and nourishes the blood. It is suitable for early menstruation due to insufficient qi and blood, with heavy flow and pale color, thin and watery texture, mental fatigue and lethargy, dull complexion, shortness of breath and palpitations, a sensation of empty bearing-down in the lower abdomen, a pale tongue body, a thin and moist coating, and a deep, weak and forceless pulse.

3. Dong Quai and Red Date Tea: Ingredients: an appropriate amount of red dates (pitted), an appropriate amount of Dong Quai, an appropriate amount of brown sugar.

Method: Pit the red dates. Put the ingredients into a pot. Bring the water to a boil, then turn to low heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

Note: Dong Quai is warm and hot in nature, so those with excessive fire and yin deficiency should avoid it. Those with diarrhea, abdominal bloating, heavy dampness and poor appetite should also avoid it.

Effects: Nourishes the blood and beautifies the complexion, and unblocks and regulates qi and blood. It is suitable for preventing wrinkles and removing spots, relieving tension, removing liver spots caused by blood stasis, and dry, lusterless skin.

III. Contraindications of Dong Quai

The medicinal nature of Dong Quai is somewhat dry and fierce, so when people with yin deficiency use Dong Quai, they must be sure to add other medicines to control its dry and fierce medicinal nature, otherwise the user will suffer from internal heat. Yin deficiency means there is internal heat. The symptoms for judging yin deficiency are dry mouth, dry tongue, dry eyes, heat in the five centers (palms, soles and chest), and soreness and weakness of the waist and knees. It is not suitable for those with slippery diarrhea. Taking too much will cause deficiency fire to flare upward, so it is not suitable for those with blood deficiency. It has a miscarriage-preventing effect for pregnant women, but it must be used with caution.