Angelica sinensis A. polymorpha - Dong Quai

Description

This fragrant, perennial herb, has a glabrous, smooth, purplish stem, with light linear striations. It grows 0.5 - 1 m high. The lower leaves are tripinnate, with upper leaves being pinnate; leaflet are oval, dentate-incised; 3-11 cm long, sheathed; bracts are rudimentary. The inflorescence is formed in 10 - 14 umbels, with 12 - 36 flowers per umbel. The flowers are white with five petals, blooming June - July. Fruit appears July - Aug. Grows in China, Korea and Japan.

Part Used

Root.

Constituents

Dong Quai root has 0.4 - 0.7% volatile oils, butylidene phthalide, n-valeropheneone-O-carboxylic acid, dihydrophthalic anhydride, carvacrol, safrole, isosafrol, sesquiterpenes, cadinene, dodecanol, tetradecanol, n-butylphalid, ferulic acid, succinic acid, nicotinic acid, a number of coumarins and furocoumarins, uracil, adenine, ligustilide, folinic acid, beta-sitosterol, vitamin E, vitamin B12 (0.25 -40 mcg/100g), beta-carotene, palmitic acid, angelic acid, angelol, myristic acid, angelicone and sucrose.(1-3)

Mode of Action

Dong Quai is classified as a tonic herb in China and as such would be rarely used in acute stages of a disease. Even an acute condition as simple as a common cold, normally it would be suggested to correct the acute state first, before initiating its use. As a tonic, it is usually combined with other botanicals and is rarely used alone. Often the center of gravity of the other ingredients will direct the action Dong Quai. Dong Quai`s tonic action is most seen in it`s ability to ‘tone the Blood`. This TCM concept is different than western medicine might initially think, being much more than anemia, it can be caused by psychological issue as well as nutrient or physiological issues. Deficient Blood is suggested by a pallid face and lips, dizziness, vertigo, diminished vision, lethargy, palpitations, dry skin, menstrual irregularities, pale tongue and a fine pulse. This is the most commonly used herb in the Orient to regulate menstrual function and to tone the female organs. It can also be used by males to tone their blood and is very efficient in teenage acne.

Dong Quai has been shown to both contract and relax uterine muscles in anesthetized dogs, cats and rabbits. The contractive and excitatory ingredient is felt to be a water- and alcohol-soluble, non-volatile oil component, where as the relaxing, inhibitory component is considered to be a volatile oil with high boiling point. This is thought to be the mechanism underlying Dong Quai`s effectiveness in dysmenorrhea, not an estrogenic effect. Dong Quai is also though to increase sexual activity in female animals, but doesn`t have reliable clinical support.(4-6)

Dong Quai`s effect on body metabolism and endocrine function has been demonstrated by mixing 5% raw root to the diet of mice for four weeks. Body metabolism was enhanced, oxygen utilization increased in the liver, as well as glutamic acid and cysteine oxidation enhancement. Dong quai also protected the liver of laboratory mice against carbon tetrachloride toxicity.(7-9)

This herb has shown to act against Vitamin E deficiency, which may related to its fetus-stabilizing effect, and prevention of testicular disease. Dong Quai root, especially alcohol extract of the root, has a quinidine-type effect on animal hearts, an inhibitory effect on frog hearts, and depresses tachycardia. Dong Quai can prevent experimental coronary atherosclerosis, and prevents lipid deposits in arteries. The blood pressure lowering activity in anesthetized animals is thought to be due the release of neurotransmitters, which excite acetylcholine and histamine receptors, causing dilatation of peripheral blood vessels. Aqueous extracts have shown to inhibit both writhing and capillary permeability, along with a strong inhibition of platelet aggregation (by inhibiting 5HT) and inhibition of thromboxane formation, suggests an anti-inflammatory action.(10-13)

Anti-tumor action of Dong Quai has been observed in several studies. It has been shown to increase lymphocyte activity to form mature antibodies, while increasing IL-2 formation. It has been observed to increase B cells` capability to respond to T helper cells and stimulate T lymphocyte production.(14)

A decoction of Dong Quai root has been shown to inhibit many bacteria: Gram negative bacteria such as Bacillus dysenteriae, B. typhi, B. comma, B. paratyphi and Escherichia coli as well as Gram positive bacteria, such as Streptococcus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Shigella.(15-17) Polysaccharides in Dong Quai have shown to be both stimulating and modulating.

A mild sedative effect by the volatile oil inhibits brain activity, and smooth muscles in intestine and bladder. One of the constituents, ligustilide, has shown strong anti-asthmatic activity in vivo as well as anti-spasmodic action in the GI tract. Dong Quai is heavily used in China, injected into acupuncture points to inhibit pain. Dong Quai has been shown to have a diuretic effect.(18-21)

Therapeutic Action

Emmenagogue, sedative, analgesic, blood tonic and diuretic.

Energetics

Traditional Chinese

Sweet, acrid, bitter and warm properties; entering the Heart, Liver and Spleen meridians. Dong Quai tonifies invigorates and harmonizes the blood, while regulating menses.(22-24)

Folklore

This herb has been used very extensively in China, especially after delivery of a child as a postparturition tonic. Dong quai was also used, to regulate menses, as a blood tonic, as a mild sedative, and for abdominal pains. It has also been used for angina, chills, diabetes, hypertension, headaches, nephritis and lumbago. It is first found in Chinese literature in Collection of Commentaries on the Materia Medica (500 B.C.).(25,26)

Dosage

Dried herb - 3 - 30 gms(27)

Toxicity and Contraindications

Side effects of this herb are rare, use caution in ``Cold deficiency`` diarrhea (as determined by traditional Chinese medical diagnosis). There have been a very small number of people exhibit hypersensitivity to the herb, which may lead to excessive bleeding and occasionally fevers. There have been noted some cases of photosensitivity and a mild laxative effect in others.(28) Some references are concerned about toxicity because of the safrol content of Dong Quai, but with such a substantial amount of usage across centuries of Chinese history, there would appear to be little need for concern when the herb is consumed within the therapeutic range.

Official Recognition and Medical References

Official in Chinese Pharmacopoeia

References

1. Chu, D., A contribution to my Knowledge of Dong Quai, typescript, 1986, Calgary, Alberta.
2. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Eastland Press, Seattle, WA, 1986, p.474-476.
3. Hsu, H.Y., Chen, Y.P., et al., Oriental Materia Medica: a concise guide, Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA, 1986, p.540-542.
4. Chu, D., Ibid.
5. Hsu, H.Y., Chen, Y.P., et al., Ibid.
6. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Ibid.
7. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Ibid.
8. Hsu, H.Y., Chen, Y.P., et al., Oriental Materia Medica: a concise guide, Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA, 1986, p. 540-542.
9. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Idid.
10. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Ibid.
11. Moe J.E; Angelica sinensis: A Monograph; Journal of Naturopathic Medicine; winter 1997 p. 66-72
12. Hsu, H.Y., Chen, Y.P., et al., Oriental Materia Medica: a concise guide, Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA, 1986, Ibid.
13. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Ibid.
14.Moe JE ; Ibid.
15. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Ibid.
16. Hsu, H.Y., Chen, Y.P., et al., Oriental Materia Medica: a concise guide, Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA, 1986, Ibid.
17. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Ibid..
18. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Ibid.
19. Hsu, H.Y., Chen, Y.P., et al., Oriental Materia Medica: a concise guide, Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA, 1986, Ibid
20. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Ibid..
21. Tang, W. and G. Eisenbrand, Chinese Drugs of Plant Origin: Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Use in Traditional and Modern Medicine, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1992, p. 113-123
22. Hsu, H.Y., Chen, Y.P.,et al., Oriental Materia Medica: a concise guide, Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA, 1986, Ibid
23. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Eastland Press, Seattle, WA, 1986, p. 474-476.
24. Tierra, M., Planetary Herbology, Lotus Press, Santa Fe, NM, 1988, p. 312.
25. Duke, J.A., CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1985, p. 44.
26.Hsu, H.Y., Chen, Y.P., et al., Ibid.
27. Hsu, H.Y., Chen, Y.P., et al., Ibid.
28. McGuffin, M., et a.l., American Herbal Products Association`s Botanical Safety Handbook, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1997