Dong Quai Root
Benefits of Dong Quai
- Menopause
- The monthly cycle
- Where it's from: High-altitude regions of East Asia
- Form: Powder
- Food source: Plant
What is Dong Quai?
Dong Quai, also known as the 'Chinese angelica root' and the 'Female ginseng', is a herb that grows in the mountainous regions of China, Japan and Korea. The extracted and dried root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for around 2000 years. Herbalists and traditional healers have long associated it with blood quality and flow, through opening blood vessels, and with the muscles of the uterus.
What does the research say about Dong Quai?
Dong Quai was only introduced to Western scientists in the 20th century. Scientific research on the herb is in its early stages, and there have been few comprehensive reviews. Researchers have looked at Dong Quai in relation to women's health and the menopause, partly because of its reported oestrogen-like qualities.
Dong Quai is also traditionally used around the monthly cycle. It has been described as having antispasmodic properties, meaning it may help relax smooth muscle.
You may also enjoy reading '12 most common signs of menopause', '8 Unusual Signs of the Menopause' and our article 'Mental health effects of menopause'. For more on the monthly cycle, read 'The surprising life impacts of PMS', 'Nutrition for PMS' and 'Which PMS type are you?'.
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