1. Overview
Angelica Sinensis, the dried root of the plant from the Apiaceae family, is first recorded in the “Shennong Bencao Jing” (Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica) and classified as a medium-grade herb, commonly used in clinical practice. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers Angelica Sinensis to have a sweet and pungent flavor, a warm nature, and it enters the liver, heart, and spleen meridians. It is known for its ability to nourish and invigorate the blood, regulate menstruation, alleviate pain, and moisten the intestines to relieve constipation, earning it the title of “Holy Medicine for Blood Nourishment.” The main root is referred to as “Gui Shen” or “Cun Shen,” while the lateral roots are called “Gui Wei” or “Gui Tui,” and the whole plant is referred to as “Quan Gui.” Angelica Sinensis can both nourish and invigorate the blood, collectively referred to as “He Xue.” It is clinically used for symptoms of blood deficiency, irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain due to deficiency and cold, rheumatic pain, traumatic injuries, carbuncles, and constipation due to dryness of the intestines. Modern medical research indicates that Angelica Sinensis possesses various pharmacological effects, promoting hematopoietic function in the bone marrow, enhancing hemoglobin and red blood cell production, exerting a bidirectional regulatory effect on the uterus, and boosting immune function. It is also effective in protecting cardiovascular health and preventing thrombosis. Traditionally, it is common to consume Angelica Sinensis in stews with lamb during autumn and winter to tonify qi and warm the interior, and it is often used as a spice in meat dishes.
2. Source Verification
Angelica Sinensis is first mentioned in the “Shennong Bencao Jing.” Historical records regarding the varieties of Angelica Sinensis include: the “Bencao Jing Jizhu” from the Southern and Northern Dynasties states: “The Angelica Sinensis from Longxi, Daoyang, and Heishui has more flesh and fewer branches, with a fragrant aroma, known as ‘Mawei Angelica,’ which is somewhat rare. The Angelica Sinensis from northern Xichuan has many thin branches. The Angelica from Liyang is white and has a thin flavor, not similar, referred to as ‘Cao Angelica,’ and is used when in short supply.” The “Xinxiu Bencao” from the Tang Dynasty states: “There are two types of Angelica seedlings, one resembling large-leaved Chuanxiong, and the other resembling fine-leaved Chuanxiong, but with lower stems and leaves than Chuanxiong. Currently, it is produced in Dangzhou, Tangzhou, Yizhou, and Songzhou, with Tangzhou being the best.” The “Bencao Tujing” from the Song Dynasty states: “In spring, the seedlings have green leaves with three lobes. In July and August, they bloom resembling dill, with light purple flowers. The roots are blackish-yellow.” The “Bencao Gangmu” from the Ming Dynasty states: “Currently, many people in Shaanxi, Sichuan, Qinzhou, and Wenzhou cultivate it for trade. The round-headed, purple-tinged, fragrant, and plump Angelica from Qin is known as ‘Mawei Gui,’ which is superior to others.” The “Leigong Paozhi Lun” states: “When using Angelica Sinensis, first remove the dust and the hard tip, soak it in wine overnight. If you want to break blood, use the hard part of the first segment. If you want to stop pain and bleeding, use the tail.”
3. Usage and Dosage
Angelica Sinensis is listed in the 2020 edition of the “Chinese Pharmacopoeia,” with a recommended dosage of 6~12g. As a food, it can be consumed in moderation, used as a food additive, or made into porridge or soup.
4. Modern Research
(1) Main Components
It contains essential nutrients such as protein, iron, manganese, magnesium, copper, zinc, calcium, sodium, and potassium. Other components include Angelica polysaccharides, volatile oils (such as ligustilide, butylidene phthalide, α-pinene, β-cedrene, and oxo-β-caryophyllene), and organic acids (such as ferulic acid).
1. Angelica Polysaccharides: Angelica polysaccharides are one of the main components extracted from Angelica Sinensis. They can reduce the toxic side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients and increase appetite. The main components of Angelica polysaccharides are fructose and sucrose, accounting for 40%, along with other active acidic polysaccharides. Among them, polysaccharides account for 8%, mainly including D-mannose, D-lactose, L-arabinose, glucuronic acid, and galacturonic acid. They promote and regulate B-lymphocyte function, enhance T-lymphocyte counts, and promote anti-tumor effects. Angelica polysaccharides can activate macrophages and lymphocytes in the hematopoietic microcirculation directly or indirectly, stimulate muscle tissue to produce hematopoietic regulatory factors, and promote the differentiation of multipotent hematopoietic stem cells and CFU-GM, stimulating bone marrow granulocyte-monocyte hematopoiesis, leading to an increase in peripheral blood leukocytes. Angelica polysaccharides also act as immune modulators, regulating the activity of complement receptors on lymphocyte membranes, enhancing lymphocyte immune responses, and improving immune function. Additionally, they exhibit anti-aging, anti-injury, and anti-radiation effects.
2. Volatile Oils: The volatile oils of Angelica Sinensis are extracted from the roots and contain a total volatile oil content of ≥80%. These oils include ligustilide, butylidene phthalide, Angelica ketone, and laurene, among others, and exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities. They have broad applications in the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive systems, and oncology, showing promising effects in dilating peripheral blood vessels, lowering blood pressure, protecting against cerebral ischemia, preventing thrombosis, providing sedation, relieving spasms, and promoting the proliferation of spleen and thymus cells.
3. Organic Acids: These have anti-radiation effects, antioxidant functions, and antibacterial and antiviral properties. Ferulic acid, as a phenolic plant component, possesses strong antioxidant activity, significantly increasing the levels of glutathione and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate in irradiated cells, thus protecting irradiated endothelial cells. Studies have shown that ferulic acid can eliminate free radicals and restore normal functions in living organisms, inhibiting the enzymes that produce free radicals. Additionally, ferulic acid greatly enhances the activity of reductases and thiol transferases, controlling the ratio of active tyrosinase. Recent reports indicate that ferulic acid has significant inhibitory effects on cold viruses (IV), respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV), and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), leading to a dramatic reduction in the production of these proteins. Ferulic acid has inhibitory effects on HIV, suggesting its potential as a future chemotherapeutic agent.
(2) Main Activities
TCM Functions: Sweet, pungent, warm. Enters the liver, heart, and spleen meridians. Nourishes and invigorates the blood.
Modern pharmacological studies indicate that Angelica Sinensis has the following pharmacological effects: anticoagulation, promoting coagulation, blood nourishment, anti-inflammation, enhancing immune function, protecting against cerebral ischemic injury, protecting against renal ischemic injury, analgesic, anticonvulsant, anti-atherosclerosis, antioxidant, promoting cell proliferation, anti-tumor, and hepatoprotective effects. The main organic acid component, ferulic acid, is an important material basis for the protective effects on endothelial cells, anti-inflammation, lipid regulation, blood pressure reduction, blood invigorating, and blood nourishing functions of Angelica Sinensis. Angelica polysaccharides play a crucial role in promoting hematopoiesis, hemostasis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects, serving as one of the material bases for the blood-nourishing effects of Angelica Sinensis. Both Angelica polysaccharides and ferulic acid exhibit bidirectional regulatory effects, promoting platelet aggregation while also having anti-platelet aggregation and anti-thrombotic effects, making Angelica Sinensis a key herb for gynecological regulation and an excellent blood tonic.
(3) Toxicological Evaluation
Experimental evidence shows that its toxicity is very low. Modern studies indicate that Angelica Sinensis extracts are classified as practically non-toxic substances; genetic toxicity tests show no damage to somatic and reproductive cell chromosomes in mammals, with no observed genetic toxicity; teratogenic tests indicate no toxicity to pregnant mice and fetuses; and a 90-day oral toxicity test shows no significant toxic effects on animals.
5. Culinary Methods
Angelica Sinensis is generally used as a seasoning in daily meals.
6. Medicinal Cuisine Applications
Angelica Sinensis Porridge
[Source] “500 Recipes for Women’s Beauty Diet.”
[Ingredients] 15g Angelica Sinensis, appropriate amount of japonica rice, 5 red dates, appropriate amount of sugar.
[Method] 1. Soak Angelica Sinensis in warm water for a while, then boil with water to extract 100ml of concentrated juice, strain and collect the liquid; 2. Add japonica rice, red dates, and sugar, then add about 300ml of water, and cook until the rice is soft and the soup thickens. Consume on an empty stomach in the morning and evening for 10 days as a course of treatment.
[Effect] Nourishes and tonifies the blood.
Angelica Sinensis, Ginger, and Lamb Soup
[Source] “Jinkui Yaolue.”
[Ingredients] 150g Angelica Sinensis, 250g ginger, 500g lamb.
[Method] Combine the three ingredients with 8L of water, boil down to 3L, and consume 0.7L warm as soup.
[Effect] Warms the interior, nourishes the blood, dispels cold, and alleviates pain.
Angelica Sinensis and Pig Liver Soup
[Source] Empirical formula.
[Ingredients] 10g Angelica Sinensis, 60g pig liver, 10g ginger, 10g red dates.
[Method] Clean the pig liver, then cook it with Angelica Sinensis, ginger, and red dates. Once the liver is cooked, slice it for consumption, and the soup can be drunk.
[Effect] Nourishes the blood, benefits the liver, and improves vision.
7. Safety Tips
Patients with heat excess and bleeding should avoid taking it, and those with dampness and fullness or loose stools should use it cautiously. Pregnant women should be careful. Excessive oral doses of Angelica Sinensis may lead to fatigue, drowsiness, fever, dry mouth, nausea, and other symptoms. Improper use may also cause bleeding or diarrhea. According to TCM’s nine constitution theory, individuals with blood stasis constitution are most suitable for it, while those with phlegm-damp or damp-heat constitutions should avoid or limit its consumption.