Source: Guangdong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
According to the “Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic”, due to its significant efficacy, many traditional Chinese herbal formulas include Angelica Sinensis (Dang Gui), hence the saying “nine out of ten formulas contain Dang Gui”.Angelica Sinensis is known for its blood-regulating and blood-nourishing properties, earning it the title “Holy Medicine of the Blood” and even being revered as the “King of Herbs”.
Angelica Sinensis is warm in nature and has a sweet and pungent flavor. It enters the Heart, Liver, and Spleen meridians. It nourishes and invigorates the blood, regulates menstruation, alleviates pain, and moistens the intestines to relieve constipation. It is used to treat irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain, masses, and excessive bleeding; blood deficiency headaches, dizziness, and weakness; dry intestines and constipation; and injuries from falls.
Below, we will introduce the efficacy and dietary precautions of Angelica Sinensis, along with several health-promoting recipes using this herb.
Efficacy of Angelica Sinensis
01
Beauty and Skin Nourishment
Angelica Sinensis contains a special substance that has antioxidant properties, capable of eliminating harmful free radicals from the body, inhibiting oxidative stress, and reducing the generation of free radicals. It also helps to mitigate damage to various cells and tissues, delaying aging and achieving beauty and skin nourishment effects.
02Enhances Immunity
Angelica Sinensis is rich in polysaccharides, which can stimulate the phagocytic cell system, regulating and repairing the immune system. Therefore, consuming Angelica Sinensis can promote lymphocyte transformation and maintain overall health.
03
Promotes Blood Circulation
Angelica Sinensis is an excellent herb for nourishing and invigorating the blood. It contains a significant amount of vitamins and organic acids, which can dilate blood vessels throughout the body, increase blood circulation speed, reduce vascular resistance, and maintain vascular health.
04
Moistens the Intestines and Relieves Constipation
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that essence and blood share the same source. Blood deficiency leads to insufficient body fluids, and a lack of colonic fluid can easily cause constipation. Angelica Sinensis moistens the intestines and relieves constipation because it nourishes the blood, which is also a body fluid, and using Angelica Sinensis for this purpose does not harm the body’s vital energy.
05
Regulates Menstruation and Invigorates Blood
Angelica Sinensis is light and pungent, thus it can also promote blood flow. It can regulate menstruation and alleviate pain, making it especially suitable for women, particularly for conditions such as irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea due to blood deficiency. It has been referred to as the “Holy Medicine for Women” in ancient texts, but it should be noted that it is not advisable to use during menstruation.
Angelica Sinensis Recipes
1. Angelica Sinensis and Gastrodia Elata Steamed Egg
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that chronic illness can lead to damage to the kidney meridian, which can cause issues such as edema and proteinuria in chronic diseases like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, heart disease, and diabetes.
One of the causes of kidney meridian obstruction is Qi deficiency. Symptoms of Qi deficiency include fatigue, shortness of breath, and pale tongue with thin white coating. Individuals with Qi deficiency are prone to obstruction in the kidney meridian. Those with Qi deficiency and obstruction can frequently consume this Angelica Sinensis and Gastrodia Elata steamed egg.
Preparation:Grind 10 grams of Gastrodia Elata and 6 grams of Angelica Sinensis into a fine powder, mix it with beaten eggs, and steam for 10 minutes before consumption.
Efficacy:Gastrodia Elata has the effect of calming the liver yang and dispelling wind to open the meridians; Angelica Sinensis is both a blood-nourishing and blood-invigorating herb, capable of nourishing and invigorating the blood and opening the meridians.
Precautions:Those with significant internal heat, such as flushed face, prone to acne, red tongue with yellow greasy coating, and those with bleeding tendencies should avoid this dish. Patients with kidney disease should follow medical advice regarding the daily intake of eggs.
2. Angelica Sinensis and Carp Soup
Ingredients:1 Carp, 1 piece of Angelica Sinensis, 2 tablespoons of Goji Berries, 10 slices of Astragalus, 5 slices of Ginger
Preparation:Make a horizontal cut on the back of the carp, rub 1 tablespoon of salt evenly on the fish, stuff a little ginger into the fish’s belly, and marinate for 15 minutes. Place all ingredients in a pot, add 1 tablespoon of cooking wine and 4 bowls of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low heat for 35 minutes.
Efficacy:The Angelica Sinensis and Carp Soup is a nourishing soup suitable for women with dysmenorrhea and physical weakness. Generally, using only carp to make soup can achieve nourishing effects.
Carp soup has the effects of strengthening the spleen, promoting dampness, harmonizing the stomach, stimulating appetite, invigorating blood circulation, and warming the middle and descending Qi, making it suitable for middle-aged and elderly individuals, those recovering from illness, and postpartum women.
3. Angelica Sinensis, Codonopsis, and Red Date Chicken Soup
Ingredients:15 grams of Codonopsis, 12 grams of Angelica Sinensis, 8 red dates, 1 chicken leg, 2 grams of salt.
Preparation:Clean and chop the chicken leg, blanch it in boiling water, then rinse; wash the Angelica Sinensis, Codonopsis, and red dates. Place the chicken leg, Codonopsis, Angelica Sinensis, and red dates in a pot, add appropriate water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 30 minutes. Add salt to taste before serving.
Efficacy:Red dates have the effects of tonifying the middle, benefiting Qi, nourishing the blood, calming the mind, strengthening the stomach, and protecting the liver. Long-term consumption can also moisturize the skin, reduce facial spots, and prevent hair loss.
This soup can nourish the blood, strengthen the spleen, benefit Qi, and is effective for blood deficiency headaches, shortness of breath, and palpitations.
4. Angelica Sinensis, Longan, and Pig Kidney Soup
Ingredients:150 grams of Pig Kidney, 30 grams of Longan Flesh, 10 grams of Angelica Sinensis, and appropriate slices of red dates and ginger.
Preparation:Clean the pig kidney, cut it open, and remove the white membrane; wash the Angelica Sinensis and Longan flesh. Boil water in a pot, blanch the pig kidney to remove blood foam, then cut it into pieces. Add appropriate water to the pot, bring to a boil, then add all ingredients and simmer on low heat for 2 hours. Add salt to taste before serving.
Efficacy:Longan flesh is rich in vitamin P and vitamin K, which have the effects of nourishing the mind, benefiting the heart and spleen, nourishing the blood, and calming the mind, as well as protecting blood vessels. This soup can nourish the blood, calm the mind, and is effective for insomnia and palpitations.
5. Angelica Sinensis Powder
Wash an appropriate amount of Angelica Sinensis, dry it, and grind it into powder. Take it with warm water each time. It can achieve the effects of invigorating blood, nourishing blood, relieving constipation, and also alleviating rheumatism and ulcers.
6. Angelica Sinensis Steamed Meat Pie
Ingredients:20 grams of Angelica Sinensis, 200 grams of minced pork, appropriate amounts of cooking oil, salt, and chicken powder.Preparation:Wash and chop the Angelica Sinensis. Mix it with minced pork, appropriate salt, chicken powder, and cooking oil. Place it in a steamer and steam until cooked.Efficacy:Angelica Sinensis nourishes and invigorates the blood, regulates menstruation, alleviates pain, and moistens the intestines to relieve constipation. It is suitable for women with anemia and dysmenorrhea.
Dietary Precautions for Angelica Sinensis
It is important to note that despite the many benefits of Angelica Sinensis, it is not suitable for everyone.
7 Groups of People Who Should Avoid Angelica Sinensis
1. Those with a cold should avoid Angelica Sinensis and Astragalus, as well as other tonics, as they can easily trigger internal heat. Remember, “do not nourish during a cold; a light diet is advisable”.
2. Individuals with internal heat or Yin deficiency with excessive fire, who are prone to constipation, and those currently suffering from sore throat, toothache, or heat symptoms should avoid it. Those with internal heat may exacerbate their symptoms after consuming it.
3. Some patients with dizziness and chest tightness, which correspond to chronic diseases like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and high cholesterol, may find that consuming Angelica Sinensis and Astragalus could further elevate blood pressure and lipids.
4. Women should avoid it during menstruation, as it may increase the risk of excessive bleeding.
5. Pregnant women should avoid it, as taking Angelica Sinensis can cause dilation of blood vessels in the uterus, leading to a risk of miscarriage.
6. Individuals with excessive weakness, who cannot tolerate strong tonics like Angelica Sinensis and Astragalus, may experience internal heat. They should opt for milder herbs like Codonopsis, Angelica, or Goji Berries.
7. Individuals with diarrhea are advised not to consume Angelica Sinensis, as it has a notable effect of moistening the intestines and relieving constipation, which may worsen diarrhea symptoms. Additionally, those with digestive issues and prone to bloating should avoid it, as it can cause stagnation of Qi in the spleen and stomach, leading to bloating and digestive discomfort.
[Source: This article is compiled from various sources including the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yunnan Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Shanghai Women’s Health WeChat accounts]
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