Angelica sinensis
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| Angelica sinensis | ||||||||||||||||
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| 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.
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[edit] Medicinal uses
[edit] 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.[4] It has antioxidant activity.[5]
It is also used as an aphrodisiac.
[edit] Korean
A. sinensis is also used in traditional Korean medicine, where it is called danggwi (Hangul: 당귀, Hanja: 當歸).
[edit] Prohibition
This herb is used by herbalists for the female reproductive system, as they believe that it is a uterine tonic and hormonal regulator. 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 antiplatelet 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.[6]
[edit] Adverse effects
There is one case report of gynaecomastia following consumption of dong quai root powder pills.[7]
[edit] Drug Interactions
Dong quai increases the anticoagulant effects of the drug Warfarin and consequently increases the risk of bleeding.[8]
[edit] See also
- Angelica
- Chinese herbology
- Scutellaria baicalensis (Baikal Skullcap)
- Acanthopanax senticosus (now known as Eleutherococcus senticosus or Siberian Ginseng)
[edit] References
- ^ "Angelica sinensis information from NPGS/GRIN". www.ars-grin.gov. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?406655. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ Zhao KJ, Dong TT, Tu PF, et al. Molecular genetic and chemical assessment of radix Angelica (Danggui) in China. J Agric Food Chem 2003; 51: 2576–2583
- ^ Jia M, Yang TH, Yao XJ, et al. Anti-oxidative effect of Angelica polysaccharide sulphate. Zhong Yao Cai 2007; 30: 185–188.
- ^ Medline Plus Dong Quai
- ^ Goh SY, Loh KC. Gynaecomastia and the herbal tonic “Dong Quai”. Singapore Med J 2001; 42: 115–116
- ^ Page RL, 2nd, Lawrence JD. Potentiation of warfarin by dong quai. Pharmacotherapy 1999; 19: 870–876
- 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).
[edit] 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.
