GENERAL INFORMATION: Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) has been used for over a thousand years as a spice, tonic, and medicine in China, Korea and Japan. There, the fragrant plant grows at high altitudes in damp, cold, mountain regions. The yellowish-brown thick-branched roots of the dong quai plant have a number of medicinal uses. Though definitive studies are still ongoing, it is reputed to provide relief from menstrual disorders, PMS, menopausal symptoms, and to improve circulatory and respiratory conditions. It takes three years for the plant to reach maturity, after which the root is harvested and formulated into tablets, powders, and other medicinal forms.
PMS: In a review of Herbs of Special Interest to Women, The Cedars Sinai Integrated Medicine Medical Group of Los Angeles, CA., concluded dong quai to have some efficacy for PMS when used in traditional Chinese multiple-herb formulas (1).
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE/HEART FUNCTION: A Chinese study by the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences in Beijing suggested dong quai to be a potential key ingredient in preventing the development of abnormally high blood pressure. The group also concluded the herb could assist in improving overall heart function (2). Another Chinese group studying coronary heart disease found dong quai to be helpful in reducing episodes of angina (3). The Department of Biochemistry at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology reported a formulation including dong quai to stimulate red blood cell production and enhance cardiovascular function (4). Yet another Chinese study revealed dong quai to be potentially useful in inhibiting and delaying blood clots (5).
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: The Department of Pharmacology at the University of Hong Kong studied the effects of polysaccharides isolated from dong quai as they relate to gastrointestinal damage. The study concluded dong quai possesses protective anti-inflammatory properties (6).
PULMONARY FIBROSIS: Pulmonary fibrosis is a disease in which scar tissue replaces air sacs in the lungs. That scar tissue then interferes with the body's ability to transfer oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream. A Chinese group at the Drum Tower Hospital in Nanjing concluded dong quai to be a successful treater of this condition (7).
REFERENCES:
(1) Hardy ML. Herbs of Special interest to women. J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash). 2000 Mar-Apr; 40(2): 234-42;
quiz 327-9.
(2) Zhao L. Prevention of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension with "qi-xue" injection. Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao. 1990 Feb;12(1): 51-5.
(3) Liao JZ, Chen JJ, Wu ZM, Guo WQ, Zhao LY, Qin LM, Wang SR, Zhao YR. Clinical and experimental studies of coronary heart disease treated with yi-qi huo-xue injection. J Tradit Chin Med. 1989 Sep; 9(3): 193-8.
(4) Yim TK, Wu WK, Pak WF, Mak DH, Liang SM, Ko KM. Myocardial protection against ischaemia-reperfusion injury by Polygonum multiflorum extract supplemented 'Dang Gui decoction for enriching blood', a compound formulation, ex vivo. Phytother Res. 2000 May; 14(3): 195-9.
(5) Zhao L, Zhang Y, Xu ZX. Clinical effect of experimental study of xijian tongshuan pill. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1994 Feb; 14(2): 71-3, 67.
(6) Cho CH, Mei QB, Shang P, Lee SS, So HL, Guo X, Li Y. Study of the gastrointestinal protective effects of polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis in rats. Planta Med. 2000 May; 66(4): 348-51.
(7) Dai L, Hou J, Cai H. Using ligustrazini and angelica sinensis treat the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Zhongshua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi. 1996 Feb; 19 (1): 26-8.
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