Dong Quai

What is Dong Quai?

DongQuai - also known as Angelica - is a plant that is native to Japan, Korea and China. It has been used for centuries by oriental and Asian civilizations as a herbal medicine. Dong Quai is also known as Willow Older, Female Ginseng, Empress of Medicinal Plants and Dang Gui.

What are the benefits of Dong Quai?

Dong Quai is often used for its ability to help with weight loss. Dong Quai also contains vitamins E and B12, which have their own benefits. Vitamin B12 helps the body digest protein, carbohydrates and fat and vitamin E is an extremely powerful antioxidant.

The medicinal plant Ding Quai is also often used for its antimicrobial properties. These properties help to stimulate the immune system's response and thus contribute to the healthy functioning of the immune system. In addition to this, dong quai is a rich source of iron.

Who can benefit from taking Dong Quai?

Women in particular can benefit from supplementation with dong quai. Dong Quai is often used to treat abnormal menstruation including suppressed menstrual flow, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) and uterine bleeding.

Those who wish to lose weight or have a weak or compromised immune system (such as the sick and elderly) may benefit greatly from the immune stimulating properties of Dong Quai.

How much Dong Quai should I take?

This depends largely on the manufacturer of the supplement. You should therefore strictly adhere to the recommended dosage on the label.

Does Dong Quai have any side effects?

Side effects may include a mild sedative effect, blood thinning and increased sensitivity to sunlight.

There are some groups of people who should not take Dong Quai. These include people taking blood-thinning medication, stimulants, diabetes medication or antidepressants. These types of medication can interact with Dong Quai and cause undesirable side effects. If in doubt, you should consult your doctor before taking Dong Quai.