Herb of the Month: Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis)
Native to China, dong quai is a tonic herb with an interesting sweet and spicy flavor. It is mostly known for its effects on the female reproductive system, but it also serves as a circulatory and liver tonic. Rarely used on its own, dong quai is often used with other herbs. It may be used over a long period of time to build and nourish the body.
A benefit to women of all ages, dong quai has been used for thousands of years to improve both menstrual and menopausal symptoms by increasing pelvic circulation, building blood, and balancing hormones. It may be used in the long term to promote fertility, but should not be used during pregnancy or heavy menstruation.
Vitex and black cohosh are other herbs often combined with dong quai for improved female reproductive health. Much of donq quai’s benefits are due to its actions on the liver and the blood. Because of these actions, it can be used to improve liver function and increase circulation.
For the liver, combine it with other liver cleansers, such as burdock, dandelion, milk thistle, or schisandra. As a blood tonic, try using it with hawthorne, ginger, or cinnamon. Dong quai contains vitamin B12 and is high in minerals, particularly iron. It is stimulating to circulation, so dong quai should not be used with blood-thinning medications.
Dong quai may be found in the Bulk Medicinal Herb section and Wellness department at City Market. It is on sale in our Bulk department this month, so it is the perfect time to try it. To experience dong quai’s interesting warming flavor, stop by the tea demo later this month, or try the recipe below:
Women’s Reproductive Tonic -Adapted from Rosemary Gladstar’s Family Herbal
3 parts licorice
1 part burdock
1 part dong quai
1 part dandelion
1/2 part cinnamon
1/2 part ginger
Use 1 tablespoon per cup of water, simmer 20-30 minutes, strain, and enjoy.
References
Gladstar, Rosemary. The Family Herbal, Story Book Pub, North Adams, MA, 2001.
Kuhn, Merrily A. and David Winston. Herbal Therapy and Supplements. Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkens, Philadelphia, PA, 2008.
A benefit to women of all ages, dong quai has been used for thousands of years to improve both menstrual and menopausal symptoms by increasing pelvic circulation, building blood, and balancing hormones. It may be used in the long term to promote fertility, but should not be used during pregnancy or heavy menstruation.
Vitex and black cohosh are other herbs often combined with dong quai for improved female reproductive health. Much of donq quai’s benefits are due to its actions on the liver and the blood. Because of these actions, it can be used to improve liver function and increase circulation.
For the liver, combine it with other liver cleansers, such as burdock, dandelion, milk thistle, or schisandra. As a blood tonic, try using it with hawthorne, ginger, or cinnamon. Dong quai contains vitamin B12 and is high in minerals, particularly iron. It is stimulating to circulation, so dong quai should not be used with blood-thinning medications.
Dong quai may be found in the Bulk Medicinal Herb section and Wellness department at City Market. It is on sale in our Bulk department this month, so it is the perfect time to try it. To experience dong quai’s interesting warming flavor, stop by the tea demo later this month, or try the recipe below:
Women’s Reproductive Tonic -Adapted from Rosemary Gladstar’s Family Herbal
3 parts licorice
1 part burdock
1 part dong quai
1 part dandelion
1/2 part cinnamon
1/2 part ginger
Use 1 tablespoon per cup of water, simmer 20-30 minutes, strain, and enjoy.
References
Gladstar, Rosemary. The Family Herbal, Story Book Pub, North Adams, MA, 2001.
Kuhn, Merrily A. and David Winston. Herbal Therapy and Supplements. Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkens, Philadelphia, PA, 2008.