Pronounced “don kwy,” it is considered the queen of herbs by the Chinese and is China’s most popular herb for women. Chinese physicians use dong quai to enrich the blood, promote circulation, regulate menstruation, calm nerves and soothe the intestines.
Steven Horne says There are levels of understanding when it comes to herbs.
One level is reading about them, such as reading this article.
Another level is to experience using them on yourself or others as a capsule.
And another level is to experience the plant directly using your own senses, whether that’s observing it growing or tasting and smelling it.
Dong quai has been thought of as the female ginseng, since it is so widely used for female reproductive problems in China.
It’s also primarily known as a female tonic in the West as well. However, many people mistakenly believe that this is because it is hormonal (estrogenic) in nature.
Research suggests it isn’t. And it’s use for female troubles is not related to the Western idea of balancing hormones.
Instead, it’s primarily considered a blood (xue) tonic in TCM. It’s recommended to women primarily because of the blood loss that occurs every month during mensus. Dong quai helps to nourish and support the production of blood to maintain women’s health during childbearing years. It helps to build up deficient blood in women who are cold and pale.
Dong quai also helps to stimulate blood circulation, especially in the abdominal area. Ginger also does this and both have been used to ease female cramping and pain. The aromatic quality of dong quai also means it’s a qi tonic, giving it a warming quality. Pain is believed to be caused by stagnation of blood and energy (qi) in TCM so this is another quality that makes it helpful for female reproductive problems. - Steven Horne
Despite dong quai’s popularity as a female herb, it’s more than that. It’s equally valuable for men who are anemic or blood deficient and it’s also helpful for circulatory problems because of its blood-stimulating activity. It helps to inhibit platelet aggregation to reduce the risk of thrombosis and can be used like ginger in formulas to improve blood circulation. It also helps moisten the stools to relieve constipation associated with blood deficiency.
It has also been used in TCM for coughs and respiratory problems. It has some immune-enhancing properties and can help to fight infections. The essential oil in dong quai has an antibacterial effect. Other things it has been used for in TCM (usually as part of a formula) include angina, chills, diabetes, hypertension, headaches, nephritis, and lumbago.
