Angelica Sinensis (Dong Quai)
Angelica Sinensis (Dang Gui, also known as Chinese Angelica) is the root of the plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is primarily produced in the southeastern part of Gansu Province, particularly in Min County (Qinzhou). Additionally, it is cultivated in Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Hubei provinces. The original plant thrives in cool, high-altitude climates, typically at elevations of 1500 to 3000 meters, preferring deep, loose, fertile, and well-drained sandy loam. It has a sweet and pungent taste and is warm in nature. It enters the Liver (Gan), Heart (Xin), and Spleen (Pi) meridians. Its therapeutic effects include nourishing and invigorating the blood, regulating menstruation, alleviating pain, and promoting bowel movements. Clinical names include Dang Gui, Quan Dang Gui, Dang Gui Wei, and Jiu Dang Gui.
【Bencao Huayan】
According to the “Shennong Bencao Jing”: Angelica Sinensis has a sweet and warm taste. It is indicated for cough, counterflow of qi, warming the body, and treating cold and heat conditions, as well as skin diseases (as noted in the “Daguang Bencao”). It is beneficial for women suffering from menstrual disorders and various types of wounds. It can be prepared as a decoction. Another name is Gan Gui. It grows in the river valleys.
According to “Wupu”: Angelica Sinensis is non-toxic and was used by Shennong, Huangdi, and other ancient physicians. It is said to grow in the Qianghu region. “Mingyi” states that it is harvested in Longxi during the months of February and August, and the roots should be dried in the shade.
As noted in “Guangya”: Shan Jin refers to Angelica Sinensis.
According to “Erya”: Bi refers to Shan Jin. Guo Pu states that it resembles Jin but is larger, and Bi refers to Bai Jin. Guo Pu also mentions that it is the same as Shan Jin.
According to “Fanzi Jiran”: Angelica Sinensis is produced in Longxi, and the best quality is the one that is not dried out.
According to “Mingyi Bielu”: It has a pungent taste, is very warm, and is non-toxic. It is indicated for warming the middle, alleviating pain, removing blood stasis, treating wind stroke, promoting sweating, alleviating dampness, and treating cold and deficient conditions. It nourishes the five organs and promotes muscle growth.
According to “Yaoxing Lun”: It is effective for stopping vomiting, treating deficiency, cold and heat, breaking up stagnant blood, and is indicated for women with excessive menstrual bleeding, abdominal pain, and toothaches. It can be decocted alone to treat warm malaria, and is effective for women with blood loss and lower back pain. For patients with cold deficiency, it should be used with caution.
According to “Rihua Zi Bencao”: It treats all types of wind, all types of blood conditions, nourishes all types of deficiencies, removes stagnant blood, and nourishes new blood, and is indicated for various symptoms.
According to “Kaibao Bencao”: It has a sweet and pungent taste, is very warm, and is non-toxic. It warms the middle, alleviates pain, removes blood stasis, treats wind stroke, promotes sweating, alleviates dampness, and treats cold and deficient conditions. It nourishes the five organs and promotes muscle growth.
According to “Bencao Yanyi”: “Guangya” states that Shan Qi (ancient celery) refers to Angelica Sinensis, which resembles celery but is larger. “Shuowen” states that Qi refers to grass, and those growing in the mountains are called Bi (pronounced Bai). The new book “Tujing” states that “Angelica Sinensis is a type of celery; those growing in flat areas are called celery, while those growing in the mountains are larger and referred to as Angelica Sinensis.” Therefore, in the present day, the cultivation in the plains of Sichuan is particularly rich and fatty. It is not differentiated by flat or mountainous terrain, but rather by the quality of the soil, which should be rich and moist. Modern practitioners prefer this variety. People in the market also use thin wine to enhance its richness, which should not be overlooked. “Yaoxing Lun” states that it nourishes women with various deficiencies. This statement summarizes the uses of Angelica Sinensis.
According to “Yaolei Faxiang”: It can harmonize and nourish the blood, and the tail can break up stagnant blood, harmonizing the body. First, wash it with warm water to remove dirt, then process it with wine, or dry it by fire or sun before using it in medicine. It is essential for blood conditions. Remove the leaves before use.
It is indicated for various symptoms, removes stagnant blood, treats postpartum complications, and alleviates various wounds, promoting healing.
According to “Yaoxing Fu”: It has a sweet and pungent taste, is warm, and is non-toxic. It can ascend and descend, representing yang. Its uses are fourfold: it stops bleeding from the head and ascends, nourishes blood and maintains balance in the body, breaks up stagnant blood and descends, and invigorates blood without causing it to flow away.
According to “Tangye Bencao”: It is warm, has a sweet and pungent taste, and is very warm, with a light and yang nature. It is sweet and pungent, with a slight yin quality. It is non-toxic. It enters the Hand Shaoyin, Foot Taiyin, and Jueyin meridians.
According to “Xiang”: It harmonizes and nourishes the blood, and the tail can break up stagnant blood, harmonizing the body. First, wash it with water to remove dirt, then process it with wine, or dry it by fire or sun before using it in medicine. It is essential for blood conditions. Remove the leaves before use.
According to “Xin”: It treats blood conditions universally. It can eliminate blood stasis pain, and due to its sweetness, it can harmonize the blood, while its pungent and warm nature can alleviate internal cold. The bitterness of Angelica Sinensis can assist the heart in dispelling cold. “Zhen” states that the head stops bleeding; the body harmonizes blood; the tail breaks up blood. For internal use, soak it in wine; for external use, wash it with wine. Its sweet flavor can dissolve hard masses. It is contrary to Chao Pu and Hai Zao.
According to “Bencao”: It is indicated for cough, counterflow of qi, warming malaria, cold and heat conditions, and skin diseases. It is beneficial for women suffering from menstrual disorders and various types of wounds. It can be prepared as a decoction. It warms the middle, alleviates pain, and treats lower back pain, removes stagnant blood, treats wind stroke, promotes sweating, alleviates dampness, and treats cold and deficient conditions. It nourishes the five organs and promotes muscle growth. It can stabilize qi and blood, thus named Angelica Sinensis.
According to Lei Gong: If it is soaked in wine, it is good. If you want to break up stagnant blood, use the hard part of the head; if you want to stop pain and bleeding, use the tail. If used at one time, it is better not to use it at all.
According to Yi Lao: If using the head, it breaks up blood; if using the tail, it stops blood; if using the whole, it both breaks and stops blood, thus harmonizing it. It enters the Hand Shaoyin, as the heart governs blood; it enters the Foot Taiyin, as the spleen contains blood; it enters the Foot Jueyin, as the liver stores blood. The head can break up blood, the body can nourish blood, and the tail can circulate blood. Users should not differentiate; it is better not to use it at all. If using the whole, it can nourish blood like Ren Shen, while it can break blood like Qian Niu, Da Huang, and others. If used with Gui, Fu, and Zhu Yu, it is warming; if used with Da Huang and Mang Xiao, it is cooling. For headaches, it is all under the section of Xi Xin. Only wine-steamed Angelica Sinensis can treat headaches, as all headaches belong to wood, thus it is governed by blood medicine.
According to “Yaoxing Lun”: It is afraid of ginger and dislikes dampness.
According to “Jing”: Angelica Sinensis is indicated for cough and counterflow of qi. How can Angelica Sinensis, a blood medicine, treat qi in the chest?
According to “Yaoxing Lun”: It nourishes women with various deficiencies. This statement summarizes the uses of Angelica Sinensis.
According to “Diannan Bencao”: It has a pungent and slightly bitter taste, and is warm in nature. Its nature is to move and not to stay, guiding blood back to the meridians. It enters the Heart, Liver, and Spleen meridians. It stops abdominal pain, alleviates cold in the face and back, resolves abscesses, and relieves pain.
Additional formula: Treats cold in the face and back, and liver qi pain.
Angelica Sinensis: No specific quantity is required; dry it on a new tile and grind it into powder, then take it with warm wine.
According to “Bencao Huayi”: The “Neijing” states: The pulse is the residence of blood. All blood belongs to the heart. To open the pulse, one must first nourish the heart and increase blood. The bitterness of Angelica Sinensis enters the heart, assisting heart blood.
Jie Gu states: The head of Angelica Sinensis stops blood, the tail breaks blood, and the body harmonizes blood. If using the head, it is a hard part; if using the tail, it is a sharp part. According to “Zhuzhi Mijue”: It is warm in nature, has a pungent taste, and is thick in qi and light in flavor, can ascend and descend, and is yin within yang. Its uses are threefold: it is the primary medicine for the heart, harmonizes blood, and treats various diseases.
It is necessary to use wine for soaking. It can dissolve hard masses. For blood conditions, it must be used. Remove the leaves before use.
It is indicated for various symptoms, removes stagnant blood, treats postpartum complications, and alleviates various wounds, promoting healing.
According to “Bencao Biyuan”: It has a warm taste and is non-toxic. It is indicated for cough, counterflow of qi, warming malaria, cold and heat conditions, and skin diseases. It is beneficial for women suffering from menstrual disorders and various types of wounds. It can be prepared as a decoction.
Angelica Sinensis is primarily produced in the river valleys of Longxi, and it is harvested in February and August, then dried in the shade.
【Source and Production】
According to “Bencao Jing Jizhu” by Tao Hongjing: It grows in Longxi, Gansu Province. It is harvested in February and August, and dried in the shade.
Currently, the best quality Angelica Sinensis comes from Longxi, known as Mawei Danggui, which is slightly difficult to obtain. The Angelica Sinensis from the northern part of Sichuan has many roots and branches and is thin. The Angelica Sinensis from Liyang is white and has a thin flavor, which is not similar and is called grass Angelica Sinensis, and is rarely used. There are many varieties in the market, and it is essential to choose the right one.
According to “Zhongyao Dacidian”: It is the root of the plant Angelica Sinensis from the Apiaceae family. It generally takes three years to cultivate before harvesting. The roots are dug up in late autumn, cleaned of stems and leaves, and dried in a ventilated area for a few days. They are then bundled according to size and lightly roasted to ensure they are thoroughly dried. This product has oily properties, is prone to mold and insect damage, and must be stored in a dry place. During moldy and rainy seasons, it should be treated with sulfur or appropriately dried.
It is distributed in Gansu, Sichuan, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Guizhou, Hubei, and other regions. It is cultivated in various places, with Gansu and Yunnan being the primary production areas. Additionally, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Hubei, and Guizhou also produce it.
【Processing】
According to “Leigong’s Processing and Medicinal Properties”: Lei Gong states: For all uses, first remove the dirt and the hard parts of the head, and soak it in wine overnight.
If you want to break up stagnant blood, use the hard part of the head; if you want to stop pain and bleeding, use the tail; if used at one time, it is better not to use it at all, as it will be ineffective.
According to “Zhongyao Dacidian”: Angelica Sinensis should be selected to remove impurities, washed, moistened, and slightly dried until the internal and external moisture is suitable, then sliced and dried in the sun.
For wine Angelica Sinensis: Take Angelica Sinensis slices, spray evenly with yellow wine, slightly moisten, place in a pot, and stir-fry over low heat, then cool (for every 100 jin of Angelica Sinensis slices, use 10 jin of yellow wine).
【Modern Pharmacological Research】
1. Angelica Sinensis can reduce myocardial excitability, prolong atrial refractory period; dilate coronary arteries, increase coronary blood flow; reduce myocardial oxygen consumption, lower peripheral resistance, decrease blood pressure, and increase organ blood flow; it has anti-arrhythmic effects, anti-atherosclerotic effects, and improves microcirculation.
2. Angelica Sinensis can significantly inhibit platelet aggregation, increase the disaggregation rate of aggregated platelets, and reduce platelet count, lowering blood viscosity and preventing thrombosis; it can enhance the oxygen-carrying function of red blood cells; promote the generation of red blood cells and hemoglobin; and lower blood lipids.
3. Angelica Sinensis has enhancing effects on both specific and non-specific immunity.
4. Angelica Sinensis has a bidirectional regulatory effect on uterine smooth muscle, with inhibitory components mainly from volatile oils and excitatory components from non-volatile substances; it has an inhibitory effect on isolated rabbit intestines, while it relaxes tracheal smooth muscle.
5. Angelica Sinensis has antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects; it has significant anti-radiation damage effects; and has anti-hypoxia, anti-fatigue, and anti-tumor effects.
6. Angelica Sinensis has a mild inhibitory effect on the central nervous system, can be used for sedation and hypnosis; has significant analgesic effects; lowers body temperature in mice; and has a significant impact on learning and memory; Angelica Sinensis liquid injection at acupoints has a certain regulatory effect on sympathetic nervous system function.
7. Angelica Sinensis has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.
8. Angelica Sinensis can inhibit intestinal muscle contraction and suppress gastric acid secretion induced by gastric irritation.
9. Angelica Sinensis has a protective effect on liver damage caused by various factors; it can significantly promote bile secretion and increase the excretion of solids and bile acids in bile.
10. Angelica Sinensis has a certain protective effect on the kidneys, has a diuretic effect, and has an excitatory effect on bladder smooth muscle.
11. Angelica Sinensis has hemostatic effects on local tissues and enhances peripheral circulation.
12. Angelica Sinensis has certain antibacterial effects.
（Compiled and edited by Wu Yaoxuan）
（Reviewed and proofread by Xiao K）