INDIVIDUAL HERBS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Radix Angelicae Sinensis
Common English: Chinese Angelica Root
Tang-Kuei
Dong Quai Root
Herbs that Tonify the Blood
Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Sweet
Acrid
Bitter
Warm
Heart
Liver
Spleen
3-15g
Tincture: 2-4ml
Actions Indications/Syndromes

Tonifies the Blood and regulates the menses

Blood Deficiency, especially when affecting the Heart and Liver with pale, ashen complexion, lusterless nails, tinnitus, blurred vision and palpitations

Blood Deficiency associated irregular menstruation, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea

Invigorates and harmonizes the Blood and disperses Cold (stops pain due to Blood Stasis)

Blood Stasis causing abdominal pain and carbuncles and pain due to Blood Stasis from traumatic injury, especially when accompanied by Deficiency Cold

Postpartum menstruation

Pregnancy (use with caution)

Blood Deficiency with chronic Wind-Damp-Bi

Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels

Dry Intestines due to Blood Deficiency

Reduces swelling, expels pus, generates flesh and alleviates pain Sores and abscess (Chuang Yung), internally and topically
Stops coughing and treats dyspnea Used adjunctively for coughing
CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Caution in cases of diarrhea or abdominal distention due to Damp-Obstruction.
  • Contraindicated in Yin Deficiency with Heat Signs.
  • Contraindicated when there is no apparent weakness in the system.
  • Contraindicated if Wind-Cold has not cleared.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • Concurrent use with warfarin (Coumadin) may potentiate the effects of warfarin. This may occur with other anticoagulant drugs including heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox) or antiplatelet drugs including aspirin, dipyridamole (Persantine) and clopidogrel (Plavix).

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi

Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata
Shu Di Huang
Rx. Ligustici Chuanxiong
Chuan Xiong

Sm. Persicae
Tao Ren
Flos Carthami
Hong Hua

Pallor, debility, fatigue and/or low grade fever due to excessive Blood loss.

Ulcerated abscesses with insufficient drainage or which drain a clear thin discharge.

Many Blood Deficiency patterns.

Qi and Blood Deficiency.

Menstrual irregularity, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea due to Blood Deficiency or Blood Stasis.

Amenorrhea, pain, swelling and other symptoms associated with Blood Stasis.

Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao

Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao
Rz. Imperatae
Bai Mao Gen
Rx. Sanguisorbae
Di Yu

Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata
Shu Di Huang

Blood Deficiency Heat.

Regulates and harmonizes Qi and Blood.

Hematuria, hematemesis and epistaxis due to Xue Stage Heat.

Heat symptoms due to Yin Deficiency and Devastated Blood.

Rz. Cyperi
Xiang Fu
Rz. Corydalis
Yan Hu Suo

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Rz. Zingiberis Recens
Sheng Jiang
Lamb

Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae
Dan Shen
Myrrh
Mo Yao

Dysmenorrhea.

Postpartum abdominal pain and hernial pain due to Deficiency Cold and other symptoms of exhaustion and debility.

Pain due to Blood Stasis in the extremities.

Ram. Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi
Rx. Gentianae Macrophyllae
Qin Jiao

Hb. Cistanches
Rou Cong Rong
Sm. Cannabis
Huo Ma Ren

Flos Lonicerae
Jin Yin Hua
Rx. Paeoniae Rubra
Chi Shao

Rx. Scrophulariae
Xuan Shen

or

Flos Lonicerae (large dose)
Jin Yin Hua

Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao
Rx. Scrophulariae
Xuan Shen

Wind-Damp Bi.

Dysmenorrhea and delayed menstruation due to Cold.

Chronic constipation due to Blood Deficiency.

Reduces swelling of abscesses and sores.

Alleviates pain.

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata
Shu Di Huang
Cx. Cinnamomi
Rou Gui
(Rx. Ginseng)
(Ren Shen)

Per, Citri Reticulatae
Chen Pi
Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum
Zhi Ban Xia
Poria
Fu Ling
Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao

Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao

Expels pus and generates flesh in chronic non-healing sores.

Coughing during the night, dyspnea and profuse and salty-tasting sputum due to Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency.

Moderates spasms and relieves abdominal pain.

Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata
Shu Di Huang
Rx. Ligustici
Chuan Xiong

Cx. Moutan
Mu Dan Pi
Rz. Coptidis
Huang Lian

Olibanum
Ru Xiang
Myrrh
Mo Yao
Pyritum
Zi Ran Tong

 

Rx. Bupleuri
Chai Hu
Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao

Menstrual irregularity, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea due to Blood Deficiency with concurrent Heat symptoms.

Deficiency or Blood Stasis with concurrent Heat symptoms.

Strains and fractures.

Dysmenorrhea from Liver Qi Stagnation and Blood Deficiency.

Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao
Poria
Fu Ling

Rx. Sophorae Flavescentis
Ku Shen
Bul. Fritillariae
Bei Mu

Sm. Cuscutae
Tu Si Zi
Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis
Hou Po

Diarrhea during pregnancy with mild abdominal pain.

Urinary difficulty during pregnancy with a normal appetite.

Restless fetus disorder with lower back and abdominal pain.

Rz. Chuanxiong
Chuan Xiong
Rz. Zingiberis Preparatum
Pao Jiang

Ram. Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi
Hb. Asari
Xi Xin

Hb. Cistanches
Rou Cong Rong
Rx. Achyranthis
Niu Xi

Postpartum Blood Deficiency with Cold.

Patients with Blood Deficiency who experience cold extremities due to Cold entering the channels.

Chronic constipation due to Qi and Blood Deficiency.

Rx. Polygoni Multiflori
He Shou Wu
Sm. Cannabis
Huo Ma Ren

Fr. Perillae
Zi Su Zi
Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum
Zhi Ban Xia

Per. Citri Reticulatae
Chen Pi
Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum
Zhi Ban Xia

Moistens the intestines and treats constipation.

Coughing and wheezing due to Phlegm clogging the airways.

Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with overflowing water turning to Phlegm, with coughing, wheezing and nausea marked by profuse, salty sputum.

Per. Citri Reticulatae
Chen Pi
Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum
Zhi Ban Xia

Poria
Fu Ling

Rz. Chuanxiong
Chuan Xiong

Rz. Cyperi
Xiang Fu

Coughing attacks at night.

Harmonizes, nourishes and invigorates the Blood and disperses Blood Stasis.

Abdominal pain.

Tonifies the Blood and moves Qi, for premenstrual symptoms, menstrual pain and irregular menstruation.

Flos Lonicerae
Jin Yin Hua

Sm. Phaseoli
Chi Xiao Dou

Hb. Cistanches
Rou Cong Rong

Reduces obstruction and toxicity for swollen, painful sores and necrosis of surrounding tissue.

Resolves toxicity, disperses Blood and expels pus, for Intestinal Wind due to Damp-Heat (the passage of Blood preceding the stool) or Lung or Large Intestine abscesses or bleeding hemorrhoids.

Constipation due to Dryness of the Intestines.

Blood Deficiency failing to supply the sinews of the Intestines, interfering with peristalsis.

Constipation in the elderly with insufficiency of Yin and Blood. (caution with Yin Deficiency Heat)

Rx. Linderae
Wu Yao

Rx. Ginseng
Ren Shen
Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae
Bai Zhu
Arillus Longan
Long Yan Rou
Sm. Zizyphi Spinosae
Suan Zao Ren

Cx. Moutan
Mu Dan Pi
Rx. Rehmanniae
Sheng Di Huang
Rx. Paeoniae Rubra
Chi Shao
Rx. Scutellariae
Huang Qin

Disperses Cold and stops pain, for abdominal pain due to External Cold.

Cold dysmenorrhea or postpartum abdominal pain. (powder and take with wine)

Combined with appropriate herbs for hernia or dragging Cold pain in the testicles.

Spleen and Heart Deficiency with insomnia, excessive dreaming, worry, fatigue, palpitations forgetfulness and difficulty falling asleep.

Blood Deficiency with Deficiency Heat with hot flashes, irritability and flushed cheeks.

Rz. Zingiberis Recens
Sheng Jiang
Ram. Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi
Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao
Maltosum
Yi Tang

Sm. Persicae
Tao Ren
Flos Carthami
Hong Hua
Rz. Chuanxiong
Chuan Xiong
Rx. Paeoniae Rubra
Chi Shao

Fr. Evodiae
Wu Zhu Yu
Ram. Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi
Rz. Chuanxiong
Chuan Xiong
Rx. Ginseng
Ren Shen

Epigastric and abdominal pain.

Amenorrhea due to Blood Deficiency and Stagnation.

Amenorrhea or irregular menstruation due to Deficiency Cold.

Faeces Trogopterori
Wu Ling Zhi
Pollen Typhae
Pu Huang
Rz. Corydalis
Yan Hu Suo

Rx. Bupleuri
Chai Hu
Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao
Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae
Bai Zhu
Poria
Fu Ling

Cx. Moutan
Mu Dan Pi
Fr. Gardeniae

Zhi Zi

Rx. Bupleuri
Chai Hu
Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao

Dysmenorrhea due to Deficiency Cold.

Pre-menstrual syndrome and irregular menstruation due to Liver Qi Stagnation.

Early menstruation, bloating during menstruation and irritability due to Qi Stagnation with Heat.

Rx. Ginseng
Ren Shen
Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae
Bai Zhu
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata
Shu Di Huang
Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao

Rz. Curculiginis
Xian Mao
Hb. Epimedii
Yin Yang Huo
Rx. Anemarrhenae
Zhi Mu
Cx. Phellodendri
Huang Bai
Rx. Morindae
Ba Ji Tian

Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao
Poria
Fu Ling
Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae
Bai Zhu
Rz. Alismatis
Ze Xie

General menstrual disorders with fatigue and weakness due to Qi and Blood Deficiency.

Menopause symptoms due to Yin Deficiency Heat.

Diarrhea during pregnancy with more severe abdominal pain.

Rz. Chuanxiong
Chuan Xiong
Hb. Schizonepetae
Jing Jie
Sm. Cuscutae
Tu Si Zi
Fol. Artemisiae Argyi
Ai Ye
Cx. Magnoliae
Hou Po

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao
Rz. Zingiberis Recens
Sheng Jiang

Rz. Chuanxiong
Chuan Xiong
Sm. Persicae
Tao Ren
Rz. Zingiberis Preparatum
Pao Jiang
Rx. Glycyrrhizae Preparata
Zhi Gan Cao

Restless fetus, lower back pain, abdominal pain and breech presentation.

Postpartum spontaneous sweating, fever, shortness of breath and back and leg pain with inability to turn from side to side.

Postpartum bleeding and lower abdominal coldness and pain due to Blood Deficiency with Cold.

Rx. Ginseng
Ren Shen
Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Rx. Ophiopogonis
Mai Men Dong
Caul. Akebiae
Mu Tong
Peanuts
Pigs Feet

Rz. et Rx. Notopterygii
Qiang Huo
Rz. Chuanxiong
Chuan Xiong
Rx. Gentianae Macrophyllae
Qin Jiao

Rx. Bupleuri
Chai Hu
Squama Manitis
Chuan Shan Jia
Rx. et Rz. Rhei
Da Huang
Flos Carthami
Hong Hua

Insufficient milk due to Qi and Blood Deficiency.

Postpartum Bi syndrome.

Trauma to the thoracic cavity.

Lignum Sappan
S
u Mu
Olibanum
Ru Xiang
Myrrh
Mo Yao
Eupolyphaga
Tu Bie Chong

Olibanum
Ru Xiang
Myrrh
Mo Yao
Pyritum
Zi Ran Tong
Rz. Drynariae
Gu Sui Bu

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Rx. Paeoniae Rubra
Chi Shao

Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata
Shu Di Huang
Rx. Ligustici
Chuan Xiong

Bruises, redness and swelling from trauma.

Broken or fractured bones.

Numbness due to Blood Deficiency.

Ram. Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi
Rx. Paeoniae Alba
Bai Shao
Hb. Asari
Xi Xin
Caul. Akebiae
Mu Tong

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Rz. Curcumae Longae
Jiang Huang
Rx. Paeoniae Rubra
Chi Shao

Rx. Saposhnikoviae
Fang Feng

Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis
Du Huo
Hb. Taxilli
Sang Ji Sheng
Rx. Gentianae Macrophyllae
Qin Jiao
Rx. Rehmanniae
Sheng Di Huang

Blood and Yang Deficiency with cold extremities, back and/or buttocks.

Bi syndrome with painful joints and/or numbness due to Deficiency of the Ying and Wei.

Liver, Kidney, Qi and Blood Deficiency with a sore and weak lower back and knees.

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Flos Lonicerae

Jin Yin Hua

Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao
Rx. Angelicae Dahuricae
Bai Zhi
Fr. Jujube
Da Zao

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Squama Manitis
Chuan Shan Jia
Rz. Chuanxiong
Chuan Xiong
Sp. Gleditsiae
Zao Jiao Ci

Flos Lonicerae
Jin Yin Hua

Rx. Paeoniae Rubra
Chi Shao

Bul. Fritillariae Thunbergii
Zhe Bei Mu
Rx. Trichosanthis
Tian Hua Fen
Squama Manitis
Chuan Shan Jia

Slow-healing sores due to Qi and Blood Deficiency.

Toxic ulcers with pus.

Redness, swelling and burning toxic sores.

Rx. Polygoni Multiflori
He Shou Wu
Sm. Cannabis
Huo Ma Ren
Sm. Persicae
Tao Ren

Hb. Cistanches
Rou Cong Rong
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata
Shu Di Huang
Rx. Rehmanniae
Sheng Di Huang
Rx. et Rz. Rhei
Da Huang

Fr. Perillae
Zi Su Zi
Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum
Zhi Ban Xia
Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis
Hou Po
Rx. Peucedani
Qian Hu

 

Constipation due to Blood Deficiency.

Cough, dyspnea, shortness of breath and profuse sputum.

 

  1. The head - Caput Radicis Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui Tou is the most tonifying part, but less effective in activating.
  2. The tail - Extremitas Radicis Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui Wei is the least tonifying but most activating.
  3. The body - Corpus Radicis Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui Shen is more tonifying than activating.
  4. Usually the whole root is used.
  5. It stops spasms.
  6. It detoxifies the Blood.
  7. It is considered the supreme woman’s herb because it regulates Blood and nourishes the reproductive organs.
  8. It is used in almost every formula for nourishing Blood, activating Blood, improving the skin, regulating menstruation and treating abdominal pain.
  9. Western herbalists think it should not be used during pregnancy but is a component of almost all formulas to prevent miscarriage and nourish the Blood when there is weakness during pregnancy.
  10. Dang Gui was effective in treating scopolamine and cycloheximide-induced amnesia.
  11. Dang Gui treats acetomiophen-induced Liver damage.
  12. This herb is suitable for all conditions involving Stasis, Dryness, Deficiency or Cold.
  13. It can be used for Blood Deficiency with Heat because it generates Blood and enriches Yin thereby reducing Heat.
  14. It has a stimulating and relaxing effect on the uterus and enhances estrogen and progesterone levels.
  15. Dry-fried Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Chao Dang Gui reduces its oil content and makes it less able to moisten the Intestines and is appropriate for gynecological patients with diarrhea.
  16. Wine-fried Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Jiu Chao Dang Gui has a slightly stronger Intestine moistening property and is appropriate for Blood Stasis with Blood Deficiency.
  17. Earth-fried Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Tu Chao Dang Gui reduces its oil content and leads it directly to the Spleen and Stomach. It is used to tonify Blood in patients with diarrhea or loose stools.
  18. Vinegar-fried Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Cu Chao Dang Gui is not commonly used. It enters the Liver, is sour and therefore restrains bleeding.
  19. Charred Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui Tan stops bleeding while reducing Blood Stasis and is commonly used.
  20. Dang Gui and Rx. Paeoniae Alba Bai Shao both nourish Blood and alleviate pain. Dang Gui unblocks, disperses, drains and lubricates the Intestines while Bai Shao astringes Yin to extinguish Internal Wind and stop sweating and nourishes Liver blood to soften the Liver to relieve painful cramping, and other pain in the flanks and abdomen due to Liver disorders.
  21. Dang Gui and Caulis Spatholobi Ji Xue Teng both tonify and invigorate Blood, stop pain and regulate menstruation. Dang Gui tonifies and invigorates the Blood and moistens the Intestines while Ji Xue Teng Invigorates the Blood primarily and tonifies secondarily, invigorates the collaterals and soothes sinews to treat Wind-Damp Bi.