Dong Quai
DONG QUAI
Dong quai - also known as “Angelica Root” or the “female ginseng” - is one of the most revered and long-standing herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Known in Chinese as 当归 (dāng guī), this sweet, earthy, deeply aromatic root has been used for over 2,000 years, particularly for its ability to nourish the blood, regulate menstruation, and restore vitality- especially in people who are run-down, depleted, or in recovery.
Dong quai is a member of the Angelica family- like its Western cousin Angelica archangelica, and its name roughly translates to “return to order” or “restore proper state,” which gives you a clue about its mission: balance, especially when the body is out of sync due to blood deficiency, hormonal shifts, or emotional depletion. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it's primarily used to build and move blood, making it a central herb for treating irregular menstruation, amenorrhea (absent periods), menstrual cramps, postpartum recovery, and even fatigue after illness.
Historically, dong quai was part of herbal formulas used by midwives, healers, and physicians of the imperial courts. It was often combined with other herbs like peony root, rehmannia, or ligusticum to create tailored blends that addressed the complexity of the body- not just symptoms. It wasn’t only a physical remedy; dong quai was used to support emotional healing, especially when grief or trauma was “stuck in the blood,” which in Traditional Chinese Medicine can manifest as both emotional heaviness and bodily stagnation.
But dong quai wasn’t just used for women. It was also used for men recovering from blood loss or injuries, elders dealing with dryness or weakness, and anyone needing a boost in circulation, warmth, and internal nourishment. In Daoist alchemical medicine, it was sometimes linked to jing - one’s essence - and was considered a root that could gently rebuild life force without being overly stimulating.
As herbalism moved West, dong quai gained popularity among Western herbalists, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries, where it was embraced for its role in balancing hormones, easing PMS, and supporting menopausal transitions. Unlike some quick-fix hormonal drugs, dong quai was always about the long game- toning, building, circulating, and restoring.
Modern science has caught on, too. Research shows dong quai contains ferulic acid, phytosterols, and coumarins, which give it antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilating effects. It’s often found in formulas that support circulation, heart health, and reproductive wellness- but it’s still treated with respect. This isn’t a pop-it-and-go herb, it’s deep medicine, best used in context, with intention, and often in combination with other herbs.
Dong quai isn’t a trendy adaptogen or a new “super root.” It’s an ancestral tonic, a blood whisperer, and a slow healer for long-term resilience. It works beneath the surface, helping you return to center, rebuild from depletion, and move through the world with grounded strength.
Medicinal Uses of Dong Quai
Nourishes Blood Deficiency
Traditionally used to treat signs of blood deficiency such as fatigue, dizziness, pale skin, and dry hair or nails
Common in formulas for anemia-like symptoms and post-illness recovery
Improves Circulation
Moves stagnant blood, making it useful for cramps, clots, and poor peripheral circulation
Helps warm the body and relieve pain associated with cold or stagnation
Regulates Menstrual Cycles
Used for irregular periods, scanty flow, or missed cycles due to hormonal imbalance or deficiency
Eases Menstrual Cramps (Dysmenorrhea)
Its warming, moving properties help relieve uterine stagnation and ease pain
Supports Menopausal Transition
Helps relieve hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings when combined with other herbs
Acts as a gentle hormone balancer rather than a hormone mimic
Postpartum Recovery
Replenishes blood and strength after childbirth
Used in traditional formulas to help restore vitality and prevent postpartum depression
Supports Fertility (When Appropriate)
Used in some formulas to tonify the uterus, regulate cycles, and improve endometrial lining
Only used at certain phases of the cycle under guidance
Balances Hormones Naturally
Works via hypothalamic-pituitary axis, not as a phytoestrogen
Helps regulate estrogen-progesterone balance in a non-invasive way
Relieves Muscle and Joint Pain
Contains ferulic acid and coumarins with anti-inflammatory effects
Used for arthritic pain, migraines, and trauma recovery
Supports Cardiovascular Health
Improves vascular tone and may help lower blood pressure
Often included in formulas to reduce blood viscosity and improve circulation
Soothes Mood Imbalances Related to Blood Deficiency
Used to relieve irritability, depression, anxiety, and insomnia—especially those related to hormonal cycles
Often combined with calming herbs like peony root or licorice
Common Preparations
Decoction (root simmered in water): Classic preparation in TCM
Tincture or extract: For ease and shelf stability
Capsules or powders: Often part of a balanced formula
Combined with other herbs: Rarely used alone; often blended in traditional formulas like Four Things Soup (Si Wu Tang)