Inheriting the essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and promoting TCM culture
Angelica Sinensis
[Scientific Name]Angelica Sinensis
[Other Names]Qin Gui, Yun Gui, Xi Dang Gui, Gan Gui.
【Preparation】Angelica Sinensis: Remove impurities, wash clean, moisten, and slightly dry until the internal and external moisture is appropriate, then slice and sun-dry. The best quality is soft, with a yellowish-white cut surface and a strong aroma. It can be used raw or stir-fried with wine.
Stir-fried Angelica: Take slices of Angelica Sinensis, evenly spray with yellow wine, slightly moisten, then stir-fry in a pot over low heat, remove and cool (for every 100 jin of Angelica, use 10 jin of yellow wine).
[Properties and Channels]Warm in nature, sweet and pungent in flavor. It enters the Liver, Heart, and Spleen meridians.
[Functions and Indications]Tonifies blood, invigorates blood circulation, regulates menstruation, alleviates pain, moistens the intestines, and relieves constipation. It belongs to the category of tonifying herbs, specifically blood tonics. It is used to treat blood deficiency, pale complexion, dizziness, palpitations, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain due to deficiency and cold, constipation due to dryness, rheumatic pain, trauma, and sores.
[Effects and Actions]
1. Tonifies and Nourishes Blood
Angelica Sinensis is sweet and warm, specifically effective in nourishing blood, making it the primary herb for blood tonification. It is suitable for symptoms caused by heart and liver blood deficiency, such as pale or sallow complexion, fatigue, pale lips and nails, dizziness, palpitations, and insomnia. When combined with Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Bai Shao (White Peony), and Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage), it forms the representative blood tonifying formula—“Si Wu Tang,” which has the function of regulating menstruation and nourishing blood, especially suitable for postpartum blood deficiency.
2. Moistens the Intestines and Relieves Constipation
In TCM, it is believed that essence and blood share the same source; thus, those with blood deficiency also lack fluids, leading to dry intestines and constipation. Angelica Sinensis can moisten the intestines and relieve constipation, often used in combination with Huo Ma Ren (Hemp Seed), Ku Xing Ren (Bitter Apricot Seed), and Da Huang (Rhubarb) to treat blood deficiency constipation; it can also be combined with Fang Feng (Siler), Chuan Xiong, Bai Shao, Da Huang, Bo He (Mint), and Ma Huang (Ephedra) to form Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, which can purge heat and relieve constipation.
3. Regulates Menstruation and Invigorates Blood
Angelica Sinensis has a sweet and pungent flavor, which not only nourishes blood but also invigorates blood circulation. It is particularly effective in alleviating pain due to blood stasis, making it an essential herb for gynecological conditions related to blood tonification and regulation of menstruation. Its warm nature makes it especially suitable for those with blood deficiency and cold stasis. It is used to treat irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea.
4. Prevention and Treatment of Frostbite
In TCM, frostbite is considered a condition of the skin, often resulting from insufficient Yang Qi and invasion of external cold, leading to blood stasis. Therefore, treatment often involves warming the meridians, dispelling cold, invigorating blood circulation, and reducing swelling and pain. The Angelica Ginger Lamb Soup is derived from the “Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases.” In this formula, Angelica nourishes and invigorates blood, ginger warms Yang and dispels cold, and lamb replenishes deficiency and generates blood, collectively nourishing blood, invigorating circulation, and warming Yang to dispel cold.
Dosage and Administration
1. Angelica Blood Nourishing Soup
Ingredients: 2 Red Crabs (approximately 750 grams), 10 grams of Angelica Sinensis, 50 grams of Huang Qi (Astragalus), 50 grams of Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), 50 grams of Du Zhong (Eucommia), 100 grams of Black Dates, 250 grams of Rice Wine, and appropriate amount of water.
Preparation:Clean the red crabs, remove the shells and gills, and cut into pieces. Place the cut red crabs in a pot, add Angelica Sinensis, Huang Qi, Gou Qi Zi, Du Zhong, Black Dates, and an appropriate amount of water, then add rice wine. Simmer over low heat for about 1 hour.
Effects: Huang Qi and Angelica Sinensis tonify Qi and generate blood; Du Zhong tonifies the liver and kidneys, strengthens tendons and bones, and stabilizes pregnancy; Gou Qi Zi nourishes the liver and kidneys, benefits essence, and improves vision; Black Dates have similar properties to Red Dates but are more effective in nourishing blood. Together, they work to tonify Qi and nourish blood.
Application: Suitable for symptoms of Qi and blood deficiency, such as fatigue, pale complexion, and lack of energy.
2.Angelica and Astragalus Lean Meat Soup
Ingredients: 150 grams of lean pork, 20 grams each of Huang Qi and ginger, 10 grams each of Angelica Sinensis and Fang Feng, 4 dates, and an appropriate amount of salt.
Preparation: Clean Angelica Sinensis, Fang Feng, and Huang Qi; wash the dates and remove the pits; clean and crush the ginger. Clean the lean pork and cut into pieces. Place all ingredients in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes, adding salt to taste.
Application:Has the effects of tonifying the middle, benefiting Qi, dispelling wind, and relieving rashes.
3. Red Date and Angelica Congee
Preparation: Clean the Angelica Sinensis and soak it in a clay pot with about 600 ml of warm water for 10 minutes, then decoct twice, boiling each time and simmering for 20 to 30 minutes, collecting 150 ml of the decoction. Soak and clean the red dates. Wash the glutinous rice. Combine the glutinous rice, red dates, and sugar in a pot, add the medicinal decoction, and an appropriate amount of water to cook congee.
Application:Tonifies blood, invigorates blood circulation, regulates menstruation, alleviates pain, and relieves constipation.