Dong Quai

In Chinese medicine, Angelica is for women what Ginseng is for men. It has estrogenic compounds, and is used as a balancer in women’s complaints, such as menstrual irregularities, cramps, too much or too little bleeding, and menopausal symptoms. In tincture form, it is relaxing to the uterus.

It is a strong stimulant to menstruation, and some women find it best to avoid it during the actual days of menstruation, resuming on the first day after bleeding stops. It should be avoided during pregnancy.

Angelica is one of the main herbs (besides Licorice) used in Chinese medicine for anorexia and related disorders, as it is stimulating to appetite and may help increase healthy weight gain, and digestion and absorption, especially of vitamin E.