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Author: Yu Qiuhong (Chief Pharmacist at Chuxiong Prefecture TCM Hospital, inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage “Yi Medicine Water Paste Therapy”).
The Compendium of Materia Medica records: Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui) is also known as Gan Gui, Shan Qi, Bai Qi, and Wen Wu. It has a bitter, warm, and non-toxic nature, and is used to treat cough, shortness of breath, febrile diseases, and women’s menstrual irregularities and infertility.
Angelica sinensis has a sweet and spicy flavor, and a warm nature. It is effective in nourishing blood, invigorating blood circulation, regulating menstruation, alleviating pain, and moistening dryness to relieve constipation. As a renowned medicinal herb, Angelica sinensis is widely used in clinical practice.
Clinical Applications
1. Nourishing Blood
Angelica sinensis has a sweet and heavy flavor, therefore it is specifically effective in nourishing blood, making it the premier herb for blood nourishment. 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.
2. Moistening the Intestines and Relieving Constipation
In TCM, essence and blood share the same source; those with blood deficiency also lack bodily fluids, leading to insufficient intestinal secretions and constipation. Angelica sinensis can moisten the intestines and relieve constipation, often used with Ma Ren (Sesame Seed), Ku Xing Ren (Bitter Apricot Kernel), and Da Huang (Rhubarb) to treat blood deficiency constipation; combined with Fang Feng (Siler), Chuan Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizome), Shao Yao (Peony), Da Huang, Bo He (Mint), and Ma Huang (Ephedra) to form Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, which can purge heat and relieve constipation.
3. Regulating Menstruation and Invigorating Blood
Angelica sinensis has a light and spicy nature, thus it can also invigorate blood, regulating menstruation and alleviating pain, especially suitable for women, particularly for menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea due to blood deficiency, often referred to as the “sacred medicine for gynecology” by ancient practitioners. It is commonly used in the famous gynecological formula—Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (Peach Kernel and Red Flower Four Substance Decoction)—for early menstruation and dysmenorrhea.
4. Effects on Uterine Smooth Muscle
The volatile oil of Angelica sinensis has an inhibitory effect on the human uterus, causing rhythmic contractions to relax and counteracting uterine contractions.
5. Anti-Cancer Effects
Angelica sinensis can be widely used for various tumors, especially gynecological tumors, most suitable for those with stagnant qi and blood stasis. It can also be selected for patients with blood deficiency and weakness in the middle to late stages of cancer or those who have undergone surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy, to support the body and combat cancer.
6. Anti-Aging Effects
Angelica sinensis can improve dementia caused by aluminum chloride, reducing the levels of peroxidized lipids in the brains of dementia mice and the activity of monoamine oxidase type B, and can treat senile dementia.
7. Prevention and Treatment of Frostbite
In TCM, frostbite, although a skin condition, is often due to insufficient yang qi in the body, with external cold invading, leading to stagnant qi and blood stasis. Therefore, treatment often involves warming the meridians, dispersing cold, invigorating blood circulation, and reducing swelling and pain.
8. Immune Function
Angelica sinensis and its extracts, such as ferulic acid sodium and Angelica polysaccharides, have a significant stimulating effect on the mononuclear-macrophage system, and have immune-regulating and restorative effects on individuals with weakened immune function. Angelica sinensis also promotes lymphocyte transformation in healthy individuals.
Dietary Therapy Recipes
1. Angelica, Astragalus, and Fang Feng Lean Meat Soup
Method:
(1) Wash Angelica sinensis, Fang Feng, and Huang Qi (Astragalus); wash and pit the jujubes; wash and crush the ginger; wash and cut the lean pork into pieces.
(2) Place all ingredients in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for about 2 hours, adding salt to taste before serving.
Effect: Disperses wind and releases the exterior, tonifies qi and nourishes blood. Suitable for qi and blood deficiency, and upper respiratory infections caused by wind-cold.
2. Angelica Sinensis and Free-Range Chicken Soup
Method:
(1) Cut the free-range chicken into pieces and wash with clean water. Boil water in a pot, add the chicken pieces to blanch and remove the blood, then take them out.
(2) Place the blanched pieces in a pressure cooker, add water (about 1 cm above the chicken), add ginger slices and Angelica sinensis, and cook until done. Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Effect: Sweet, warm, and moistening, it is a key herb for nourishing blood, used for heart and liver blood deficiency, sallow complexion, dizziness, and palpitations, with effects of nourishing blood and moistening the intestines to relieve constipation.
3. Angelica Sinensis and Red Date Porridge
Method:
(1) Wash 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 liquid.
(2) Wash the red dates and japonica rice; combine the rice, red dates, and white sugar in a pot, add the medicinal liquid, and cook porridge with an appropriate amount of water.
Effect: Nourishes blood, regulates menstruation, invigorates blood circulation, and moistens the intestines to relieve constipation. Suitable for qi and blood deficiency, menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, blood deficiency headaches, dizziness, and constipation.
Warm Reminders
1. Use with caution in cases of excessive dampness and diarrhea; for patients with heat excess and bleeding tendencies, it is contraindicated, and caution is advised for those with excessive dampness and diarrhea.
2. Occasional fatigue and drowsiness may occur with the regular oral dosage of Angelica sinensis decoction or powder, which will disappear after discontinuation.
3. Angelica sinensis is spicy and aromatic, and should not be used by those with excessive menstruation, bleeding tendencies, yin deficiency with internal heat, or diarrhea; improper use may exacerbate bleeding and diarrhea symptoms.
Editor 丨 Ma Chunli
