Angelica Sinensis: A Sacred Herb for Women's Health

Angelica Sinensis (Dang Gui): Nourishes blood, regulates menstruation, alleviates pain, and stabilizes pregnancy; a miraculous herb for women’s health.

Angelica Sinensis, sweet and pungent, warm in nature, enters the liver, heart, spleen meridians, and the uterus. Its functions include nourishing blood, regulating menstruation, invigorating blood circulation, and relieving pain.

Applications of Angelica Sinensis

Regulating Menstruation

This herb has the ability to nourish blood and invigorate blood circulation to regulate menstruation. The Four Substance Decoction (Si Wu Tang), which primarily contains Angelica Sinensis, is a foundational formula for nourishing blood and regulating menstruation. It is often combined with Xiang Fu (Cyperus rotundus), Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus japonicus), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), Tao Ren (Peach kernel), Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius), Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis), Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis), Ji Xue Teng (Spatholobus suberectus), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon twig), A Jiao (Donkey-hide gelatin), etc., to treat various menstrual disorders, prolonged menstruation, and amenorrhea.

Alleviating Pain

Angelica Sinensis is warm and pungent, promoting blood circulation and alleviating pain, making it essential for treating abdominal pain and dysmenorrhea. It is used for dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain during pregnancy, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, and postpartum abdominal pain. For cold-type dysmenorrhea, it is often combined with Gui Zhi (Cinnamon twig), Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia rutaecarpa), Bai Shao (White Peony), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), Ren Shen (Ginseng), etc., in formulas like Wen Jing Tang (Warm the Menses Decoction); for blood stasis-type dysmenorrhea, it is combined with Tao Ren (Peach kernel), Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius), Chi Shao (Red Peony), Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis yanhusuo), etc., in formulas like Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang (Drive Out Blood Stasis Below the Diaphragm Decoction).

For blood cold and blood stasis dysmenorrhea, it is often combined with Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Rou Gui (Cinnamon), Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), Pu Huang (Typhae Pollen), Wu Ling Zhi (Flying Squirrel Feces), Chi Shao (Red Peony), etc., in formulas like Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Drive Out Blood Stasis in the Lower Abdomen Decoction); for liver qi stagnation with heat dysmenorrhea, it is often combined with Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Xiang Fu (Cyperus rotundus), Bai Shao (White Peony), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), etc., in formulas like Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang (Smooth Liver and Open the Meridians Decoction); for liver and kidney blood deficiency dysmenorrhea, it is often combined with Bai Shao (White Peony), A Jiao (Donkey-hide gelatin), Ba Ji Tian (Morinda root), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus officinalis), etc., in formulas like Tiao Gan Tang (Regulate the Liver Decoction).

For treating abdominal pain during pregnancy, formulas like Dang Gui Shao Yao San (Angelica and Peony Powder) are used, and for postpartum abdominal pain, Sheng Hua Tang (Generating and Transforming Decoction) is indicated, with Angelica Sinensis as the monarch herb.

Stopping Bleeding

This herb can invigorate blood, regulate menstruation, and stop bleeding, commonly used for prolonged menstruation, metrorrhagia, retained lochia, and bleeding from uterine masses.

1) For prolonged menstruation and metrorrhagia due to heat in the blood, it is combined with Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis), Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Bai Shao (White Peony), Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), Da Huang (Rhubarb), etc., in formulas like Ping Gan Kai Yu Zhi Xue Tang (Calm the Liver and Open the Blood Decoction) and Qing Re Gu Chong Tang (Clear Heat and Secure the Chong Vessel Decoction); for qi deficiency and instability, it is combined with Ren Shen (Ginseng), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Bai Shao (White Peony), Jiang Tan (Burnt Ginger), etc., in formulas like Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang (Secure the Root and Stop Bleeding Decoction) and Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction); for mixed deficiency and excess, it is combined with Da Huang Tan (Burnt Rhubarb), Ba Ji Tian (Morinda root), Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Huang Qi (Astragalus), etc., in formulas like Jiang Jun Zhan Guan Tang (General’s Cut Off the Pass Decoction) and Hei Pu Huang San (Black Typhae Pollen Powder).

2) For retained lochia due to blood stasis in the uterus, it is combined with Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), Tao Ren (Peach kernel), etc., in formulas like Sheng Hua Tang (Generating and Transforming Decoction).

3) For bleeding from uterine masses (such as uterine fibroids), it is combined with Bai Shao (White Peony), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus japonicus), Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), Qian Cao (Rubia cordifolia), etc., in formulas like Shi Chuan Experience Formula for Uterine Fibroids.

Stabilizing Pregnancy

Angelica Sinensis has the ability to nourish blood and stabilize pregnancy, useful for treating threatened miscarriage with blood deficiency and kidney deficiency, often combined with Ai Ye (Mugwort), Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Jute Root, A Jiao (Donkey-hide gelatin), Bai Shao (White Peony), etc., in formulas like An Tai Gu Chong Tang (Stabilize Pregnancy and Secure the Chong Vessel Decoction). For restless fetal movement due to qi and blood deficiency, it is often combined with A Jiao (Donkey-hide gelatin), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta), Bai Shao (White Peony), Sang Ji Sheng (Mulberry Mistletoe), etc., in formulas like Tai Yuan Yin (Fetal Source Decoction).

For habitual miscarriage due to spleen and kidney deficiency, it is combined with Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta), Xu Duan (Dipsacus), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), A Jiao (Donkey-hide gelatin), etc., in formulas like Shi Chuan Experience Formula for Stabilizing Pregnancy. Ben Cao Zai Xin refers to it as “stabilizing pregnancy”.

Expelling Retained Fetus

For treating retained dead fetus, traditional formulas like Jiu Mu Dan (Rescue Mother Decoction) and Tuo Hua Jian (Flower Removal Decoction) use Angelica Sinensis combined with other blood-invigorating and stasis-eliminating herbs to expel the dead fetus. For incomplete abortion with retained embryonic tissue, it is commonly used with 25-30g of Angelica Sinensis combined with Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus japonicus), Shan Zha (Hawthorn), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), Tao Ren (Peach kernel), etc., in formulas like Jing Bao Yin (Clean the Uterus Decoction). Ben Cao Zai Xin states it as “expelling dead fetus”.

Nourishing Blood

This herb is sweet, warm, and moistening, excelling in nourishing blood. It is used for treating weakness, post-illness, postpartum, blood loss, post-surgery, and deficiencies caused by tumor surgery, chemotherapy, etc. It is often combined with Huang Qi (Astragalus), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), A Jiao (Donkey-hide gelatin), etc., in formulas like Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) and Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang (Ginseng Nourishing Decoction) to achieve the effect of nourishing qi and generating blood. Whenever treating blood deficiency or both qi and blood deficiency, Angelica Sinensis must be included.

Assisting Conception

Insufficient liver blood and blood stasis can lead to infertility. Various experience formulas for assisting conception, such as Tiao Jing Yu Lin Tang (Regulate Menstruation and Nourish the Fetus Decoction) and Shu Gan Huo Xue Tong Guan Tang (Soothe the Liver and Invigorate Blood Decoction), all use Angelica Sinensis to nourish blood, regulate menstruation, and promote blood circulation.

Additionally, Angelica Sinensis also has the function of moistening the intestines and promoting bowel movements. It is used in corresponding formulas for women with blood deficiency constipation and pregnancy-related constipation.

Angelica Sinensis is widely used for various gynecological diseases, playing a crucial role in corresponding formulas, either as the monarch or minister herb, making it a valuable medicine for women. Pharmacological studies indicate that it has both stimulating and inhibitory effects on the uterus, with large doses enhancing uterine contractions. Regarding expelling retained dead fetus, ancient practitioners used herbal medicine for this purpose, which was unsafe and posed a risk of severe bleeding! Modern methods like artificial abortion and hysteroscopic curettage are safer and more effective. Therefore, I do not recommend using it for expelling retained dead fetus. For artificial abortion and expelling retained placental or embryonic tissue, it shows good efficacy in corresponding formulas.

Regarding the use of Angelica Sinensis for stabilizing pregnancy, southern practitioners often avoid it due to its warm and pungent nature, which may move blood. However, Jin Gui Yao Lue mentions using Angelica Sinensis in the Jiao Ai Tang (Mugwort Decoction) for treating abdominal pain and bleeding due to uterine obstruction, not only using Angelica Sinensis but also Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), indicating its purpose to promote blood circulation in the uterine vessels; combined with Di Huang (Rehmannia), Bai Shao (White Peony), A Jiao (Donkey-hide gelatin), etc., to nourish blood, secure the yin, and stabilize the Chong and Ren vessels to stop bleeding and stabilize pregnancy.

Restless fetal movement and miscarriage, especially recurrent miscarriage, including immune-related miscarriage, often result from obstruction in the uterine vessels, leading to placental infarction and fetal ischemia and hypoxia, causing fetal death in utero or miscarriage. Pharmacological studies show that Angelica Sinensis can dilate blood vessels and promote microcirculation. Its warm and pungent nature invigorates blood circulation, improving blood supply and oxygenation to the fetus, thus nourishing and protecting the fetus.

Upon my arrival in Yangcheng, I encountered a patient with threatened miscarriage and prescribed An Tai Gu Chong Tang (Stabilize Pregnancy and Secure the Chong Vessel Decoction). The patient raised concerns about the use of Angelica Sinensis in the formula, and after explaining, they still refused to take the medicine. Since then, I have not prescribed Angelica Sinensis for such cases. In cases without bleeding, Angelica Sinensis is effective and harmless.

Regarding assisting conception, due to its warm and pungent nature promoting blood circulation, it is often used for late menstruation, scanty flow, abdominal pain, and ovulation disorders, especially in cases of immune infertility. Angelica Sinensis nourishes blood, invigorates blood circulation, and enhances immune function, thus assisting conception.

Angelica Sinensis and Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia) are both sweet and warm, capable of nourishing blood and regulating menstruation, assisting in stabilizing pregnancy. However, Shu Di Huang nourishes the yin of the liver and kidney, suitable for blood deficiency with yin deficiency; Angelica Sinensis invigorates blood and alleviates pain, suitable for blood deficiency with blood stasis.

Additionally, it is used to treat various types of anemia, autonomic dysfunction, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, such as arrhythmia, coronary heart disease, sequelae of cerebrovascular accidents, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic liver and kidney diseases, rheumatic bone and joint diseases, phlebitis, traumatic injuries, and carbuncles.

Dosage and Administration

Decoct 6-30g. For nourishing blood and stabilizing pregnancy, 6-10g is appropriate. For regulating menstruation and alleviating pain, 10-15g is recommended. For retained lochia and expelling retained fetus, 25-30g is optimal.

Avoid use in cases of dampness and fullness with diarrhea.

Pharmacological References

It has a bidirectional regulatory effect on the uterus. The volatile oils contained have an inhibitory effect, relaxing the uterus. The water-soluble components have a stimulating effect, enhancing uterine contractions, and large doses can lead to tonic contractions.

Angelica Sinensis, Lamb, and Ginger Soup

Effect:This recipe serves two; halve the ingredients for one serving. It is suitable for dysmenorrhea due to qi and blood deficiency, with symptoms of cold abdominal pain during menstruation or postpartum cold abdominal pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, scanty menstruation, fatigue, pale tongue with white coating, and weak pulse.

Administration:Take once daily for 5-7 days before menstruation.

Ingredients:200g lamb, 20g Angelica Sinensis, 20g ginger, salt to taste.

Preparation:

1) Prepare the required ingredients.

2) Clean the lamb and cut it into small pieces; slice the Angelica Sinensis and ginger.

3) Place the lamb in a stewing pot.

4) Add the ginger and Angelica Sinensis slices.

5) Add one bowl of water (a regular rice bowl is fine).

6) Cover and place in an electric stewing pot.

7) Stew for two hours.

8) After stewing, add a little salt to taste (optional).

9) Mix well and serve.

Angelica Sinensis and Astragalus Tea

Effect:Nourishes blood, invigorates blood, and regulates menstruation, used for blood deficiency or blood deficiency with stasis causing menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea.

Administration:Drink two to three times a week; blood circulation will improve, and facial blemishes will fade.

Ingredients:15g Angelica Sinensis, 30g Astragalus, 15g red dates, appropriate amount of brown sugar.

Preparation:

1) Prepare all ingredients.

2) Clean the red dates and remove the pits.

3) Rinse the Astragalus with clean water.

4) Clean and slice the Angelica Sinensis.

5) Place the processed red dates, Astragalus, and Angelica Sinensis into a pot.

6) Add an appropriate amount of clean water, cover the pot, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 20 minutes over medium-low heat.

7) When drinking, adjust the amount of brown sugar to taste.

Angelica Sinensis, Egg, and Brown Sugar Water

This has a certain auxiliary effect on pale complexion, menstrual irregularities, and scanty menstruation.

Administration:Drink 1-2 times a week.

Ingredients:15g Angelica Sinensis, 100g egg, 30g brown sugar.

Preparation:

1) Prepare all ingredients.

2) Soak the Angelica Sinensis in water for 10 minutes, then gently brush it clean with a toothbrush.

3) Slice it thinly.

4) Place the sliced Angelica Sinensis into a pot, add an appropriate amount of clean water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 15 minutes over medium-low heat.

5) Place the egg in the pot, add enough cold water to cover the egg, and boil until cooked.

6) Remove the egg, soak it in cold water, peel off the shell, and poke the surface of the egg white with a fork.

7) Place the peeled egg into the Angelica Sinensis water, increase the heat to boil, then simmer for about 10 minutes.

8) Add brown sugar and cook until dissolved.

9) Let it cool to warm before serving.

Angelica Sinensis Stewed Black Chicken

Effect:Specifically treats blood deficiency and kidney deficiency, especially effective for cold hands and feet in winter.

Administration:Can be consumed whenever desired.

Ingredients:250g black chicken, appropriate amount of oil, salt, 10g Angelica Sinensis, 10g Astragalus.

Preparation:

1) 10g Angelica Sinensis, 250g black chicken, 10g Astragalus.

2) Cut the black chicken into small pieces and boil briefly in water.