This MedLibrary.org supplementary page on Angelica sinensis is provided directly from the open source Wikipedia as a service to our readers. Please see the note below on authorship of this content, as well as the Wikipedia usage guidelines. To search for other content from our encyclopedia supplement, please use the form below:
Related Sponsors
| Angelica sinensis | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels[1] |
Angelica sinensis, commonly known as "dong quai" or "female ginseng" is a herb from the family Apiaceae, indigenous to China.
Contents |
Medicinal uses
Chinese
Its drying root is commonly known in Chinese as Radix Angelicae Sinensis, or Chinese angelica (traditional Chinese: 當歸; simplified Chinese: 当归; pinyin: dāngguī) and is widely used in Chinese traditional medicine to treat gynecological ailments, fatigue, mild anemia and high blood pressure. Chinese angelica possesses the distinction of being one of the few good non-animal sources of Vitamin B12, along with some varieties of yeast and microalgae like spirulina.[2][3]. It has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and sedative effects. The plant's phytochemicals consist of coumarins, phytosterols, polysaccharides, ferulate, and flavonoids.
It is also used as an aphrodisiac.
Korean
A. sinensis is also used in traditional Korean medicine, where it is called danggwi (당귀).
Prohibition
Being a uterine tonic and hormonal regulator this herb is an effective herb for female reproductive system. It is often used in premenstrual syndrome formulas as well as menopausal formulas. However, this herb is not recommended during pregnancy due to possible hormonal, anticoagulant, and anti-platelet properties. Animal research has noted conflicting effects on the uterus, with reports of both stimulation and relaxation. Dong quai is traditionally viewed as increasing the risk of miscarriage.[4]
See also
- Angelica
- Chinese herbology
- Scutellaria baicalensis (Baikal Skullcap)
- Acanthopanax senticosus (now known as Eleutherococcus senticosus or Siberian Ginseng)
References
- ^ "Angelica sinensis information from NPGS/GRIN". www.ars-grin.gov. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ Medline Plus Dong Quai
- Sung Mun Jung et al, "Reduction of urate crystal-induced inflammation by root extracts from traditional oriental medicinal plants: elevation of prostaglandin D2 levels", Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007, 9:R64 doi:10.1186/ar2222. Considers anti-inflammatory properties of dried roots from the species Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai), Acanthopanax senticosus (now known as Eleutherococcus senticosus, or Siberian Ginseng), and Scutellaria baicalensis (Baikal Skullcap).
External links
- Angelica sinensis List of Chemicals (Dr. Duke's Databases)
- Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
- MedlinePlus article on Dong quai says that high-quality research is lacking on Dong Quai's purported therapeutic effects, and that positive research results reported are at best preliminary.
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 1 September 2008, at 22:54.
Wikipedia Authorship and Review
Wikipedia content provided here is not reviewed directly by MedLibrary.org. Wikipedia content is authored by an open community of volunteers and is not produced by or in any way affiliated with MedLibrary.org.
Wikipedia Usage Guidelines
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article on "Angelica sinensis".
The URL for this specific entry is:
All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details). Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.